Zeph. 1:1-3 A TIME WHEN GOD WILL CONSUME THE LAND
Introduction:
The word "Zephaniah" means "Jehovah hides" or "Jehovah protects." As a name, the word is expressive of the faith which Zephaniah’s parents had in Jehovah God that He would protect their son. It was also descriptive of the great faith in Jehovah God which Zephaniah came to have.
Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah and was a relative of King Josiah in whose reign he prophesied, V. 1. Josiah lived in a time of great idolatry and sin in the land. King Manasseh had led the nation into great idolatry and sodomy, II Kings 21:1-9 & II Kings 23:7. Josiah attempted to crush the idolatry and was somewhat successful.
But knowing that the spiritual revival would be short, God, through Zephaniah foretold about the judgment which He would bring on the land.
I. The
severity of the judgment of God on the land, V. 2-3
A. God would consume all things from off the land, V. 2.
1. He would consume man, V. 3a. (He would especially consume the Hebrews. (Those who would not be killed would be carried away into captivity by the Babylonians.)
2. He would consume the beasts, V. 3a. (He would especially consume the cattle. The Babylonians plus drought in the land would consume them.)
3. He would consume the birds of the air, V. 3. (Drought would consume them.)
4. He would consume the fish of the sea, V. 3 (Dead fish would line the shores and their stink would be great.)
B.
This prophecy was soon to be fulfilled when the Babylonians armies would invade
the
II. The judgment of God on the whole world
A. The world in which we live today is likewise filled with all manner of immorality and spiritual corruption.
1. People of false religions threaten to take over the world. (People of heretical religion will never long peacefully co-exist with true religion. They will always seek to destroy true religion.)
2. Yet the majority in the world choose not to worship God in spirit and truth. (They follow leaders who stir their earthly passions.)
3. Even many so-called Christian leaders make no profession of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They deny the inspiration of the Bible, deny the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, deny the resurrection
of the dead and express doubt about the reality of a personal living God.
B. One of these days God will bring judgment and will consume the whole world, II Peter 3:7-12.
C. Yet God loves man and has provided a way of salvation.
1. God has sent His Son Jesus Christ to die so that even the worst of sinners can be saved.
2. Everyone who repents of his sins and trusts in Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul will be saved. John 3:16; John 5:24; Rom. 10:l3; Acts 16:31.
3. But everyone who does not repent and trust Jesus Christ will suffer forever. Luke 16:25-26.
Conclusion:
1. I call upon you to trust Jesus Christ to save you and keep you out of hell.
2. I call upon each of you who are saved to be faithful to serve the Lord.
Zeph. 1:4-6 THE HAND
OF THE LORD STRETCHED OUT AGAINST MEN
Introduction:
God
loved
I. The
pronouncement that His hand would be stretched out against Judah, V. 4a
A.
God would stretch out His hand against
B.
He would carry the people away into captivity in
II. Attention to individual groups within
Judah, V. 4b-6.
A. "The remnant of Baal," V. 4b
1. These were the hard-core false religionists. (Idolaters)
2. Josiah would attempt to cut them off and not succeed.
3. When God would stretch out His hand against them He would succeed.
4. God’s hand would be stretched out against them.
B. "the Chemarims," V. 4b
1. The Chemarims were the priests who officiated in this idolatry. .
2. God held them responsible for leading others into this very grievous sin.
3. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.
C. "the priests," V. 4c
1. These were Levitical priests.
2. They were officiating in the worship of Jehovah but they also officiated in the worship of idol gods.
3. The hand of God would be stretched out against them.
D. The star gazers, V. 5a
1. This refers to family altars located on the roof tops of homes so that from their homes the people could gaze at the stars and worship the ones which they considered to be their gods.
2. These were the forerunners of those who practice astrology. in modern times.
3. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out upon them.
E. Those who did swear by Malcham and by the Lord, V. 5b
1. The word, Malcham, in Scripture, sometimes refers to men wore that name.
2. However, in this Scripture it refers to the name of one of the false gods which was worshipped at that time.
3. The people referred to in this verse were those worshipped that false god.
4. They had a divided loyalty between Jehovah and idolatry.
2. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.
F. Those who had turned back from the Lord, V. 6a
1. These no longer claimed any loyalty to the Lord whatsoever.
2. The hand of the Lord would be upon them.
G. Those who had never sought the Lord, V. 6b
1.
These lived in the
2. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.
H. The land would be purged of them all.
III. Similar groups in the modern world (estimates made in 1966)
A. Hard-core false religionists who make no claim to worship the true and living God:
1. Confussians, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Touists
2. Estimated to be about 1070 million; about 42 percent of the world’s population
B. False religionists who claim to worship the true God, but who reject the deity of Jesus Christ:
1. Muslims and Jews
2.
Estimated to be about 429 million or about 18 percent of the world’s population
C. Those who are "Christians so-called" (They claim be Christians, but do not hold to true Christianity.)
1. Many of these do not even claim to be saved.
2.
Many clam salvation, but base their salvation upon their own moral goodness,
their baptism, their observance of the Lord’s Supper, their church membership or some other merit of their
own.
3. It has been estimated that there are about 669 million so-called Christians who do not hold to true Christian beliefs and practices and that a majority of these have never been saved.
4. Add to this number those who once claimed to be Christians, but who have now denounced Christianity altogether and you have an alarming
number of people. .
Conclusion:
Today the hand of God is extended in love and mercy to all people, but some day
soon His hand of mercy will no longer be extended. Instead His hand will be stretched out to them in judgment and wrath.
Let me ask: Are you saved? Are you genuinely saved? Have you repented of your sin and trusted Jesus Christ to save your soul? If not then do it now.
If you are genuinely saved are you dedicated to serving God in Biblical truth? If not, then why not start right now?
Zeph. 1:7-13 THE DAY
WHEN THE LORD MAKES A BLOOD SACRIFICE
Introduction:
The Jews were familiar with the practice of making a blood sacrifice. An animal was slain. The blood was poured or sprinkled at the altar. The fat and some other parts were burned. The priest received a portion of the meat as food for himself and his family. The remainder was eaten in a religous festival. The blood was a symbol of the blood of the coming Christ. It was a substitute which would appease the wrath of God caused by their sins.
I. The
prophecy of a special sacrifice, V. 7-13
A. The people had sinned and would not repent of their sin.
1. God had prepared to make a sacrifice to appease His wrath.
2.
It would not be the blood of lambs, bulls or goats, but the blood of the people
of
3.
The Babylonians would invade the
B. They were told to hold their peace, V. 7a. (There was no need to weep and cry for mercy.)
C. The sacrifice was prepared and the guests were bidden, V. 7b. (The Babylonian soldiers were the guests.)
D.
The princes of
1. Zephaniah, himself, was a prince, (See V. 1.)
2. But he had not guilty of this sin and did not hesitate to condemn the princes of the land who were guilty. (Being a prince, he knew their sins well.)
E. All who wear strange apparel would be punished, V. 8b.
1,
This refers to the apparel of foreigners from
2.
The people of
F. The princes (the high officials of the land) would be punished and those who follow them and serve them in their evil ways would likewise be punished,
V. 9.
1. They and their followers leap over (or upon) the thresholds of their victims to carry out their deeds of violence. .
2. They take away the goods of the victims to enrich themselves...
3. The princes and their followers are guilty alike.
G.
There would be howling at the gates of the city, V. 10. (The fish gate was on
the north of the city of
H. The rich would be taken away, V. 11.
1. Maktesh was the area where the rich merchants lived.
2. The soldiers would go there first to take away their riches. .
I. Those who hide will be discovered and carried away, V. 12a.
J. The indifferent would be taken, V. 12b.
K. Their property would be taken away from them, V. 13.
II. Lessons that we should learn
A. We should learn that God has prepared another blood sacrifice, a sacrifice that could appease the wrath of God.
1. This was not to be the blood of bulls and goats.
2. It was to be the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
B. We should learn that all who refuse to repent and trust Jesus Christ must suffer for their own guilt of sin. (Suffer in fire; never stop suffering.)
C. We should learn that no one is exempt from punishment because of his or her position.
D. We should learn that no one can buy the mercy of God with his riches. (All riches will be taken away.)
E. We should learn that none will be able to hide from God.
Conclusion:
The only way to avoid that punishment is by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
Zeph. 1:14-18 THE
DAY OF THE LORD NEAR AT HAND
Introduction:
Zephaniah
warns
I. The day of the Lord as Zephaniah foretold
it. V. 14-18
A.
It would be a day or period of wrath, V. 15. (God’s wrath had been stored up against
B. It would be a day of trouble and distress, V. 15. (This would be the worst trouble that generation had seen.)
C. It would be a day of wastness and desolation, V. 15.
1. The Babylonian soldiers would take all their silver, gold and other treasures.
2. What they did not take, they would destroy and burn.
D. It would be a day of darkness and gloominess, V. 15.
1. Literally, it would be darkened by thick clouds.
2. Emotionally it would be the darkest they of their lives.
E. It would be a day of trumpet and alarm, V. 16.
1. This means attack by an enemy, a time of war.
2.
Usually in war the fenced cities would be the safest places, but the fenced cities in this war would not protect
F. It would be a day of distress and bloodshed, V. 17-18. (Blood would be poured out as dust.)
G. That time of great destruction and great distress was near at hand, V. 14.
1. He warns that it was near and repeats that warning for emphasis.
2. He pictures it as though it were a fast runner headed straight at them at full speed.
3.
About 30 to 35 years from then the prophecy was fulfilled and the Babylonian armies invaded their land. (4 kings
ruled
II. The day of the Lord which
was foreshadowed by the Babylonian invasion
A.
"The day of the Lord" which brought such great destruction by the
Babylonian invasion of
B. The "day of the Lord" which was foreshadowed by Zephaniah’s prophecy and the Babylonian invasion will also be a day of wrath.
1. It, too, will especially be a day of wrath for the Jewish people. (It has been called "The time of Jacob’s trouble.")
2. But it will also be a time of trouble, not for Jacob only, but for all the world, Rev. 6:17.
C. It will be a day of extreme trouble and distress, Mt. 24:21-22.
D. It will be a day of wastness and desolation, Rev. 8:7-8.
E. It, too, will be a day of darkness and gloom.
1. Literally, it will be dark, Rev. 8:12; 9:1-2.
2. Emotionally, it will be the world’s darkest time.
E. It, too, will be a day of trumpet and alarm (war), Rev. 16:14.
F. It, too, will be a day of distress and bloodshed.
1. There will be much blood shed in war, Rev. 6:4.
2. Then Jesus will come and destroy the armies of the Anti-Christ.
G. It is near at hand and Jesus has issued 2 warnings:
1. Do not set dates for this period of time, Mt. 24:36. (No matter how much prophecy you have studied nor how much scientific data you have studied about the Jupiter affect or anything else.)
2. Do not ignore the legitimate signs of its nearness, Mt. 24:32-33.
3. One of the signs given is being fulfilled now.
a.
The nations will be gathered around
b. While they have not yet gathered the stage is being set now for them to gather..
c.
Many people from many nations want to see
d. The industrial nations need and want oil from the rich middle-east oil fields.
e. All efforts for a lasting peace in that area of the world has met with failure.
f. The nations of the world are already aligning themselves on one side or the other for this major conflict.
Conclusion:
1. Do not be a date-setter.
2. Yet do not ignore what is happening in the middle-east.
3. If you are unsaved, repent of your own personal sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul and keep you out of hell. Do this without delay. Do it now.
4. If you are already saved be watchful for the signs of the Armageddon, serve the Lord faithfully and warn the unsaved to repent and trust Jesus Christ.
Zeph. 2:1-3
ZEPHANIAH’S CALL TO REPENTANCE AND DEDICATION
Introduction:
Zephaniah
had prophesied of the Babylonian invasion of
I. Zephaniah’s call for the ungodly to repent,
V. 1-2
A. He does not use he word, "repent," nor even the word, "turn."
1. He says, "Gather yourselves together," V. 1a.
2. He does not mean gather together to discuss how victory can be achieved in the coming invasion.
3. He does not mean gather together to discuss how to negotiate with the Babylonians so that the invasion can be avoided.
4. Nor does he mean gather together to pray that the invasion may be avoided.
5. He means that they should gather their wits, use good judgment and repent of their sins which brought this danger upon them.
B. He pointed out their sinful condition, V. 1b.
1. The :Lord had desire that they should live in the land of Canaan, but the Lord no longer desired for them to dwell there.
2. This was, of course, because of their sins.
C. He warned them of the penalty of their sins, V. 2.
1. The law of Moses had decreed the penalty, Duet. 31:16-17.
2. The fierce anger of the Lord would come upon them.
D. He pointed out the danger of delay to repent. (The time opportunity for repentance was blowing away like chaff in the wind, V. 2.
II. Zephaniah’s call for the godly to dedicate
themselves to God,
A. This call was to a remnant who were already godly, V. 3a.
1. They were already meek and humble before the Lord and had already "wrought his judgment."
2. That is, they had sought to do His will.
B. But there were 2 great dangers for these godly people:
1. They might be lured by the sinfulness of the world about them and be caught up in the ways of sin. .
2. If the ungodly did not repent, they would be caught up in the Babylonian invasion and suffer along with the ungodly.
B. Zephaniah’s called upon the godly to do two specific things::
1. He called upon them to become even more meek than the already were. (More humble before God)
2. He called upon them to become even more righteous and godly in their manner of living than they already were. .
C. Zephaniah stated that his purpose of making this call to the righteous was that "It may be that ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger."
1. If the ungodly would repent the invasion by the Babylonians could yet be avoided.
2.
Otherwise the righteous people of
III. Similar calls today
A. The end-time is fast approaching. (Conditions will wax worse and worse until The Great Tribulation itself will come upon mankind, Mt. 24:21-22.)
B. The ungodly are now being called upon to repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ for salvation, Acts 20:21..
1. Every adulterer is called upon to repent of his adultery; every liar is called upon to repent of his lies; every thief is called upon to repent of ` his thievery; every person who is filled with hate is called upon to repent of his hatred; every sinner is called upon his sin no matter what that sin might be, Acts 17:30. .
2. Every lost sinner is now called upon to trust Jesus Christ for salvation without delay while grace and mercy are being extended to him, Acts. 16:31; Rom. 10:13: John 3:16; II Cor. 6:2.
B. The saved are called upon to be dedicated to the Lord.
1. There is always the danger that even the saved might get caught up in the sinfulness of the times in which we live.
a. We need the special strength and grace of God to resist sin and live godly in this sinful world.
b. We need God’s help every day.
2. There is also a grave danger for dedicated Christians as they move closer and closer to The Great Tribulation that they, along with the unsaved, will suffer more and more from the great trials that come upon the world. . (We will need the special strength and grace of God as we face greater and greater trials.)
Conclusion:
1. How many of you have reason to think that if you were do die right now you would not go to heaven? You need to acknowledge your sinful condition and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul and keep you out of hell. Rom. 10:13.
2. How many of you who are saved know that you are not living in God’s will? You need to turn to the Lord and seek His help in lliving for Him.
3. How many of you are already enduring hardships and sufferings that seem too much for you to endure? You need to call upon the Lord for His special strength and help. Call upon Him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He will hear you and He can help you, Psalm 46:1. .
Zeph. 2:4-15 EXAMPLES
OF WHAT GOD DOES TO THE ENEMIES OF
Introduction:
God
promised Abraham to make of him a great nation. That promise was fulfilled in
the nation of
I. Nations which God used as examples
A. The Philistines, V. 4-7
1.
These lived along the coast between
2. There were 5 major cities which the text names, V. 4.
3.
These had a long history of oppressing the Hebrews. (Beginning with their taking water wells away from Abraham and
Isaac and extending through their wars against
4. God pledged to punish those people, V. 4-7.
5. He did through Alexander the Great and others. (They no longer exist as a nation or as a people.)
B. The Moabites and the Ammonites, V. 8-11
1.
The Moabites were east of the Dead Sea and the Ammonites were east of the Jordan River where the modern nation of
2.
Both the Moabites and The Ammonites had a bitter hatred for
3. God promised to punish those nations.
4. He has done so with a long series of wars. :(They no longer exist as a distinct people.)
C. The Ethiopians, V. 12
1. Little is said about them in the Bible.
2.
What they did against
3. But in modern times they are anti-Israel and God will yet bring the sword against them.
D. The Assyrians, V. 13-15
1.
They carried away the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity and invaded
2. God pledged to punish this nation.
3. He did so very soon in 612 B. C.
E. Just a couple of observations:
1. Three of the five nations named in this prophecy no longer exist as a people.
2.
God promised to give the land which those three nations possessed to the remnant of
II. Lessons which God wanted to teach from
this prophecy
A. He wanted the Babylonians to take warning.
1. They were about to make the same mistake which those nations had made.
2.
3.
Never-the-less, God would remember the covenant that He had made with Abraham and He would punish the
Babylonians for afflicting
B.
He wanted to encourage the faithful remnant in
1. Even through all of their troubles He would remember the covenant He had made with Abraham and give them sustaining grace.
2. They could look forward with faith to a better time when they would be restored to their land and possess also the land of the Philistines, the Moabites and the Ammonites.
C.
God wanted to warn all nations of all time that He would punish any nation or any people who afflicts
1.
He would punish the Palestinians, the Iranians, or any other people who would afflict His people,
2.
Ezekiel foretold the downfall of God of the
E. God wants His saved people to know that He will sustain them in their times of trouble.
1. Sometimes our troubles would be overwhelming.
2. But God’s grace is always sufficient if only we will lean on Him.
Conclusion:
1.
You do not have any control over how the nations of the world will treat the Jewish people or the nation of
2. But you can control how you are going to treat the Jewish people with whom you come in contact.
3.
God the Father is especially concerned with how you treat one particular man who was
born into the nation of
4. If you are burdened down with troubles in your life, it is so good to know that you can call on God for help. He will hear and He will help if you submit yourself to Him. .
Zeph. 3:1-2 A PEOPLE
TOO STUBBORN TO YIELD TO GOD
Introduction:
This
city is obviously
I. The
condition of the city of Jerusalem, V. 1
A. God saw the city as filthy and polluted.
1. It was not polluted with industrial wastes.
2. It was not polluted with automobile smog.
3. It was not polluted with sewage.
4. It was not polluted with garbage.
B. It was polluted morally. (They had rejected God’s standards for the standards of the Gentiles.)
C. It was polluted spiritually.
1. First, their attitude toward idolaters had become tolerant.
2. Then they accepted a few idol worshippers among them.
3. Finally, idolatry became more popular than the worship of Jehovah.
II. The
oppression in the city, V. 1
A. God called them "the oppressing city."
B. This means that the rich and powerful oppressed the less fortunate.
C. This is a natural result when people become morally and spiritually corrupt.
1. People are then motivated by selfishness and greed.
2. They lose their compassion and become oppressive.
III. The charges made against them, V. 2
A. "She obeyed not the voice."
1. God had spoken to them through the laws, the prophets and the psalms.
2. When God said, "Thou shalt not " they refused to obey. ("Thou shalt have no other gods before me; thou shalt not covet, kill, nor commit adultery.:)
3. When God said, "Thou shalt " they went right on as though they never heard.
B. "She received not correction."
1. The way God sought to correct was by chastisements or judgments.
2. God had sent many such judgments. (The Assyrian invasion for example)
3. But the people refused to turn.
C. "She trusted not in the Lord."
1. She not only refused to obey God’s word, but also to believe His word.
2. Thus, she refused to trust in Him.
3. They trusted in the Egyptians for help, but not in God.
D. "She drew not near to God."
1. God was ready to pardon (Neh. 9:17), quick to forgive (Psalms 130:4), filled with mercy (Num. 14:18, and able to cleanse (Jer.33:8).
2. But the people would not draw near.
E. The idea is that because the people were polluted morally and spiritually because they would not hear and heed God’s word, because they would not be corrected, because they would not trust in the Lord nor draw near to Him, God would send a most severe judgment upon them.and that day of judgment was near at hand.
IV. A similar condition in our land today
A. Our cities today are polluted.
1. They are polluted with industrial waste and with smog.
2.
They are polluted morally. (They have laid aside God’s standards and turned to the
3. They are polluted spiritually. (There is every kind of damnable heresy, gospel, and ungodly cult.)
B. God sends His word, but the majority of people prefer something else to God’s word.
C. Even after all manner of floods, droughts, hurricanes, and tornadoes they still refuse to be corrected.
D. They trust the doctor to cure them, they trust the banker to take care of their money and they trust the mechanic to fix their cars, but they refuse to trust Jesus Christ to save their souls, and they refuse to trust God to help them in their troubles. .
Conclusion:
Thank
God that a few in
If you are one of those who has not yet yielded to the Lord, then I appeal to you to do so before it is too late. Do it now. Wherever you are, just turn to the Lord right now and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul. Then yield your life to God and let Him have His way with you. .
Zeph. 3:3-7 UNGODLY
LEADERSHIP IN THE LAND
Introduction:
Zephaniah
brings charges against the political and religious leadership in
I. The ungodly
leadership in the land, V. 3-4
A. The princes, V. 3
1. These were descendants of former kings.
2. They had inherited positions of wealth and power.
3. They held practically all of the higher offices of government.
4. God intended for them to use their offices to bring law, order and godliness to the land.
5. Instead they were as roaring lions. (The people whom they ruled were helpless victims.)
B. The judges, V. 3
1. These were not descendants of kings and had not inherited their positions of authority..
2. They had risen from the rank and file to positions of power.
3. They were to administer justice in the courts of the land.
4. But instead they administered injustice. (They sought only victims.)
C. The false prophets, V. 4
1. These were not God’s prophets, but falsely claimed to be God’s prophets.
2. They were "light" or "vain."
3. They presented their own word as though it were God’s word.
4. They denied the truths of God’s word.
5. They were treacherous men.
D. The priests, V. 4
1.
These were the officials at the
2. These were to protect the sanctity of the temple and the sacredness of the law of God.
3. But, instead, they had welcomed the worship of Baal, II Kings 21:2, 7 and they managed a house of sodomy, II Kings 23:7.
II. The
presence of he Lord in the land, V. 5
A. In sharp contrast to their wicked leadership the Lord was also present in the land, V. 5.
B. He was not present bodily and could not be heard audibly, but He was there for all who would turn to Him.
1. Every morning He sought to get His message of truth to the people.
2. All who were willing to hear Him could know the truth.
3. But the majority of the people rejected His message and blindly went on in their ungodliness without shame.
III.
A re-run here in America
A. Our land is filled with corrupt political leadership.
1. Not every politician is corrupt, but a huge number are.
2. They seek not law, order, justice and godliness, but, rather, they are like roaring lions and evening wolves preying upon the people. .
3. What few good ones we have in office we ought to support with our voices and our votes.
4. We ought to pray to God for more godly men like them to occupy government offices.
B. What is even more alarming is corrupt religious leadership.
1. One well known evangelist, who is doctrinally sound on the gospel message, has encouraged those who are saved under his ministry to join churches which are not doctrinally sound on the gospel message. (Thus, he has become tolerant toward false religion.)
2. Others have laid aside the true gospel message entirely to preach false gospels which cannot save souls.
3. Many have laid aside the true gospel message to preach chiefly about the healing of the physical body.
4. One leading preacher has concentrated his ministry chiefly on the power of positive thinking.
5. One leading theological school hired a professor who published a book declaring that God is dead. (He calls a belief in the existence of a living God "mere superstition.")
6. There are numerous pastors throughout the land who tell their congregations that their salvation depends on their baptism, their observance of the Lord’s Supper and other good works. (This is contrary to God’s word., Titus 3:5; John 14:6; .Rom. 4:3-5.)
7. To preach a false gospel is dangerous. (It is dangerous for both the preacher and his followers, Gal. 1:8-9; Mt. 25:41; Acts 4:12; John 3:18
IV. The presence of God today
A. God is still around.
B. He still promotes His truth.
C. He still saves the lost who will turn to Him and trust in Jesus Christ.
D. He will still punish the wicked.
Conclusion:
1. If you have never been saved you need to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him to save your soul. Delay no longer. Do it now.
2. If you are saved you need to be a member of a good, Bible believing, Bible practicing church. (Church membership cannot save, but it can be a great help to one who is saved.)
3. You need also to pray for more goodly political leaders and for more God-called preachers.
Zeph. 3:8-13 ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF ARMAGEDDON
Introduction:
Up
to this point Zeplhaniah prophesied only of judgment.
He declared God’s wrath on
I. The things
involved in this prophecy, V. 8-13
A. God restates the coming of Armageddon, V. 8.
B. He looks beyond the Armageddon and promises glory. (The Bible teaches that Christ will return and will defeat the Anti-Christ and his armies, Rev. 19:19-21.)
C.
This time will be a time of special glory for
1. They will serve the Lord with unity, V. 9-10.
2. Their pride will all be gone, V. 11.
3. Because of their affliction and the presence of the Lord they will learn to trust the Lorfd, V. 12.
4. The result will be peace and safety, V. 13.
II. The
assurance this prophecy brought forth to the believing Jews
A. It assurfed them concerning the destiny of their nation.
1. Tlhey ahd alredy learned of the fall to Baby;lon.
2.
It was re-assuring to learn of the millennial blessings and the glory of
B. It assured them concerning their own personal destiny.
1. They would be dead long before the millennium.
2. At first it might appear that the millinnium would not belefit them personally.
3. But in essence it was a promise of a resurrection from the dead and thet they would be wilth the Christ in the millennium.
C. It assured them that help was available in the on-coming Babylonian invasion.
1. Thle invasion would come and hey would suffer severelly.
2. But the Lord would be there to sustain them in their suffering.
III. The assurance to believers today
A. The same promise of the coming of the millennium still stands. (God has now enlarged on that promise and has given a lot more information concerning it.)
B. The promise is now extended to both Jews and Gentiles.
1. All who trust in Jesus will be with Him in that time.
2. We will be kings and priests with the Lord.
3. After the millennium is over we will be with the Lord in the new heaven and new earth forever.
C. In the meantime while we wait, there are sufferings and trials.
1. And the Lord has not promised us to remove these sufferings and trials.
2. But He has promised sufficient grace to those who trust in Him. .
#9
Zeph. 3:14-20 REASONS
TO REJOICE
Introduction:
Up
to Zeph. 3:8 Zephaniah had prophesied nothing but
God’s judgment. He had foretold God’s judgments on
I. The command
to rejoice, V. 14
A. By way of prophecy he spans time and addresses the Jews who live in millennial times.
B.
He instructs the daughters of
1. This choir is made up of Jewish women.
2. It will be a great choir and perhaps will be made up of thousands.
3, It will be a momentous occasion. (A very joyous occasion)
C.
He instructs all of the people of
II. Reasons for the people of Israel to
rejoice, V. 15-20
A.
All judgment or punishment on
B.
Every enemy of
1. Such as the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Philistines and the Babylonians, the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, the Syrians, the Romans and even the Anti-Christ.
2. Satan has been enemy #1.
3. All will be cast down including Satan, Rev. 20:1.
C. They will not see evil any more, V. 15.
1. The word, evil, in Scripture is used 2 ways: Spiritual evil or hardship and suffering.
2. In that time they will not see evil either way.
D.
They will dwell safely in
1.
For hundreds of years they did not dwell in
2. Even now they do not dwell there safely.
3.
But then they will dwell in
4.
The implication is that they will dwell safely throughout the
E. Jehovah, Himself, will dwell among them, V. 17.
F. The Jews will be regathered to their homeland, V. 18-19.
G. The Jews will then be blessed above all nations of the world, V. 20.
III. Similar promises to us today
A.
The promises made in our text were all made to
B. But the promise of salvation has been made to all people of all nations and all races, John 3:16; Rom. 10:13.
C. The promises to saved Gentiles are essentially the same as those made to the Jewish people and especially so in the heaven ages. For all saved people there will be no more sin, no more chastisements, no more enemies, no more suffering, no more sickness, no more death, no more tears, no more fears and no more sorrows of any kind. .
. D. God, Himself, will dwell among us and shall have access to the very throne of God.
E. There will be great honors and great rewards for those who have faithfully served the Lord.
F. These joyous blessing will begin in the opening time of the millennium, extend throughout the millennium and into all eternity.
Conclusion:
1. All Jews who heard and believed God’s word through Zephaniah could rejoice in God’s promises even though they were about to go into Babylonian c captivity.
2. Today all who have believed God’s word and trusted in Jesus Christ for the salvation of the soul can rejoice in the great promises that God has made about the millennium and about heaven. .
3. At the present time those who are still unsaved can repent of their sin and call upon Jesus for salvation and be share in the great promises of God, Rom. 10, 13; Isa. 45.22.