When God continually and repeatedly gives warnings, we must take them very seriously. How does He describe this fast approaching day? How often has He warned us? What can or should we learn from Him?
Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.
1:8 "Then it will come about on the day of the LORD'S sacrifice That I will punish the princes, the king's sons And all who clothe themselves with foreign garments.
1:9 "And I will punish on that day all who leap on the temple threshold, Who fill the house of their lord with violence and deceit.
Have you ever read the book of Zephaniah? Have you ever heard any sermon on Zephaniah? Probably not. Why? One reason is that most sermons today focus only or primarily on the books of the New Testament. After all, aren’t we all in the New Covenant and under grace? Didn’t the New Testament replace the Old Testament? Many “pastors” like you to think that is true.
1:10 "On that day," declares the LORD, "There will be the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate, A wail from the Second Quarter, And a loud crash from the hills.
1:11 "Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar, For all the people of Canaan will be silenced; All who weigh out silver will be cut off.
1:12 "It will come about at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit, Who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good or evil!'
These verses may lead some to say that this is only meant for the people of Israel at that time. While we must strive to understand the message as they would have understood it, as it was written to them, but it was also written for us! Historical context is very helpful and we must never dismiss these types of passages as not pertaining to us today.
Certainly Jerusalem figures as the central location for the end times. But remember, neither mankind or Satan have really changed over the millennium. Many false teachers and false believers still say God will not do anything as He has not done anything for a very long time.
2 Peter 3:8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1:13 "Moreover, their wealth will become plunder And their houses desolate; Yes, they will build houses but not inhabit them, And plant vineyards but not drink their wine."
1:14 Near is the great day of the LORD, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.
1:15 A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness, 1:16 A day of trumpet and battle cry Against the fortified cities And the high corner towers.
1:17 I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung.
These terms should strike fear into our hearts. Trouble, distress, destruction, desolation, darkness, gloom, and battle cries cannot be dismissed as allegorical hyperbole. No one can argue that they are innocent or ignorant. This is not the god of love that many preach today, or the god that just wants to shower you with material blessings. He is an all consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:29 …for our God is a consuming fire.
1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold Will be able to deliver them On the day of the LORD'S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured In the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Our world as we know it is coming to an end. Yes, those environmental alarmists are right in some way, this world is coming to an end, but not by the means that they continually proclaim. God, not mankind, will bring an end to this world. Not just an end, but a terrifying end. Not just in Jerusalem, but to all the world and all of its inhabitants. Not by a flood, but by fire.
Romans 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.