Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Be Ready Always


We learn from the Minor Prophets and throughout the Bible that God gives perfect direction. One of these prophet’s is Zephaniah whose name means, God has concealed or hidden. This is good news for Judah because there are hard times coming. The prophet describes three special “days” two of which are grievous, while the third is glorious.



1. The first grievous day: Historical in scope, it includes Judah and her surrounding neighbors and is fulfilled by the Babylonians.

A. For Judah (1:1-13; 2:1-3; 3:1-5) We see her sins.. But Zephaniah tells  Judah to repent and escape God’s wrath. 



Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. (2:1-3)



B. The Gentiles (2:4-15) This is a list of Judah’s enemies who will also face Babylonian destruction.



2. The second grievous day: Prophecy that will include all nations and is yet to be fulfilled by the King of heaven. The day of the Lord probably refers to the Great (1:14) Tribulation. Divine wrath will occur to all the earth (1:15-18; 3:6-8)



That’s why we all must be ready for the Lord’s return. Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-11