Chapter 4 - An Examination of End Times (Continued)
Book of Zephaniah
The first verse of the book of Zephaniah introduces the author by tracing his lineage back four generations to being in the line of Hezekiah. There is an ongoing debate whether that refers to the king of Judah or not. If he was of ‘royal blood’ then he would likely have high social influence. The verse also tells us that Zephaniah’s ministry was during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, who was king when the book of God’s Law was discovered (see 2 Kings 22:8-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-21) that prompted the king to make a number of reforms (see 2 Kings 23:1-27).
Zephaniah begins immediately with a proclamation from God the judgment of Judah and Jerusalem (see Zephaniah 1:4). But the first three verses of that “I will…” proclamation describe God “sweeping away” everything from the face of the earth, man and beast, birds, fish, and the rubble (ruins) of the wicked. And will also cut off mankind from the face of the earth (see Zephaniah 1:2-3) This points to the period after God has brought His people home to be with Him and all that remain on earth are those that have refused salvation through Jesus during His second coming.
The proclamation continues with the punishment of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. Then focusing on idolatry, God cuts off and removes any remnant of the false god Baal that might be remaining. But next identifies something curious, “two-faced” priests, those that pretended to be priests but were in reality worshiping false gods and their idol (see Zephaniah 1:4b-6). We need to remember that God is a jealous God (see Exodus 20:5) and that He does not tolerate sharing ‘Lordship’ in our lives with any false god. Salvation is not a ‘buffet line’ where we pick and chose what seems like a right and good combination for us, it is only about Jesus, and Jesus alone!
God then demands silence, no more bickering with God, or any other interaction for that matter, for the day of the LORD is near. Judah, as “the sacrifice,” has been made holy, and He will begin by punishing all of Judah’s leaders, all those who follow foreign gods, and those that brought violence and fraud into God’s house. On that day a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate (name of one of the gates of Jerusalem, believed to be on the east side, north of the Temple, see 2 Chronicles 33:14; Nehemiah 3:3; 12:39), a wail from the Second Quarter in Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 22:14), and a loud crash from the hills. The inhabitants of the city are to wail and mourn as the buying and selling of goods have stopped. God will search the city for anyone hiding from Him, all their goods, homes, and fields will be laid waste (see Zephaniah 1:7-14). The day of the LORD is then described as, “A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:15-18)
Before continuing the description of the day of the LORD, God reminds people that before that day comes, there is still time to repent. They are to seek God, do as He commanded, seek righteousness and humility, and they will not face God’s anger (see Zephaniah 2:1-3). Again, readers are reminded that salvation is available all the way to the final day. But why wait? Accept Jesus’ free offer now!
During that day, judgment will also include the nations that surround Israel. Beginning with Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron, all four being Philistine cities (see Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 5:1-7; 6:17; Jeremiah 25:20; Amos 1:8; Zechariah 9:6). The nation of the Cherethites is included in the judgment. The meaning of that name is unknown and is often debated, some believe it refers to being from Crete, however, in context it is definitely related to the Philistines (see Zephaniah 2:4-5). The land of the Philistines with the cities gone will become useful for farming and flocks of birds, and will be a possession of the remnant of Judah (see Zephaniah 2:6-7).
Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria will be judged on that day too. Moab will become like Sodom, and Ammon will become like Gomorrah, a waste forever. God’s people will plunder and possess the land (see Zephaniah 2:8-11). The Cushites (the inhabitants of Ethiopia) will be slain with God’s sword (see Zephaniah 2:12). God will then destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh a dry wasteland. Where the city of Nineveh once stood will be overrun with wild beasts, everyone who passes by will hiss and shake their fists at the sight (see Zephaniah 2:13-15).
All nations shall be gathered and God will pour out His indignation as all of the earth shall be consumed in His fire. At some point after the nations are judged, God will cleanse these nations by changing their speech so that they can call upon the name of the LORD. They will then begin to worship Him and bring Him offerings (see Zephaniah 3:8-10).
On that day God’s people will be forgiven, no more shame for their past rebellions against God. He will also remove those who are prideful and arrogant, leaving only the humble and the lowly. The remnant in Israel will do no wrong, tell lies, and will eat and sleep in safety. No one will be able to make them afraid (see Zephaniah 3:11-13).
The book of Zephaniah closes with God blessing the restoration of Israel. Beginning with a call to celebrate, “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.” (Zephaniah 3:24-15a) God promises to be in their midst and they will no longer suffer any burdens and He will turn shame into praise (see Zephaniah 3:15b-19). “On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Zephaniah 3:20, NLT) It is clear that the restoration is very important to God, a proper understanding of eschatology requires a period of time when that restoration can take place.
Little to nothing is known about Haggai. After being allowed to return to Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity, the Israelites were slow in rebuilding the Temple. Most of Haggai’s prophetic message were words of encouragement to pick up the pace in rebuilding the Temple. While plagued with difficulties from their enemies and naysayers, the rebuilders were also criticized from within their own ranks. Ezra records, “But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid.” (Ezra 3:12a) God has Haggai tell Zerubbabel (the governor of Judah) and Joshua (the high priest) to fear not, that He is with them and His Spirit is in their midst (see Haggai 2:1-5). God tells them not to worry and proceeds to tell them about a yet-future day when Jesus returns and sits on the throne in the Temple during His millennial reign. “For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’” (Haggai 2:6-9) God explains that the beauty of the Temple is not as important as the One who occupies it, the glory is all His! Appearance is of no value. Note that God says that from the Temple He will give peace and Jesus is the Prince of peace (see Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27; Romans 5:1), the only source of true peace.