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. 6 Then
they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to
restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to
them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by
his own authority. 8 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.” 9 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