The book of Zephaniah

THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH - AN END TIMES STORY

Zephaniah, a prophet during the reign of King Josiah, circa 620BC.

Zeph 1:2-3 Humans and all living things will be destroyed from the Land. The wicked will be brought to their knees.
Zeph 1:4-6 Judah will be judged and those who have neither sought the Lord or enquired of Him will be wiped out.
Zeph 1:7 Be silent before the Lord, for the day of vengeance is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice and set apart those He has invited.
Zeph 1:8-11 I shall punish all you leaders and officers on the Day of the Lord’s sacrifice.
Cry and wail, you merchants and dealers, all who fill the Lord’s House with violence and fraud, you will be destroyed.
Zeph 1:12-13 Those complacent people who say the Lord will do nothing. They will build and plant, but all will be destroyed.
Zeph 1:14-18 The Great Day of the Lords wrath is near, a Day of destruction and battle cries. Great distress will come on the people who have sinned against the Lord; their blood will pour out on the ground. Their wealth will not save them, for He will make a sudden and terrible end to all who live in the Land.
Zeph 2:1-2 Humble yourselves, you shameful nation, before the Day arrives, before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you.
Zeph 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you who live humbly, obeying His laws. It may be that you will be sheltered on the Day of the Lord’s anger.
Zeph 2:4-7 Gaza will be deserted, woe to all you Philistines, I shall crush you – your land will belong to the survivors of Judah.
Zeph 2:8-9 I have heard the insults of the Ammonites, those who made threats against My people. Moab and Ammon will become a wasteland for evermore and My people will dispossess them.
Zeph 2:10-11 Because, they [the Ammonites / Jordanians] have insulted My people and encroached on their Land, I will bring terror upon them. Then the nations of the coasts and islands will worship the Lord.
Zeph 2:12 You Cushites [Cush- a son of Ham, the African peoples] will be slain by the Sword of the Lord.
Zeph 2: 13-15 Assyria destroyed, will become a waste land, all who pass by will scoff at her fate.
Zeph 3:1-4 Woe betide that tyrant city, filthy and foul. [Jerusalem] She heeded no warning – refused to trust the Lord. Her leaders were as wolves and lions. Her prophets, treacherous men and her Rabbis do violence to the Law.
Zeph 3:5 Yet every day, the Lord dispenses justice, but the wrongdoer knows no shame.
Zeph 3:6 I have wiped out this arrogant people, their cities are abandoned.
Zeph 3:7 I said surely they will fear Me and accept correction, that they would escape destruction, but no, they eagerly continued in their evil ways.
Zeph 3:8 Therefore, says the Lord, wait for the Day when I accuse you. I will gather nations in order to pour My wrath upon them. The whole earth will know the fire of My jealousy.

[ I consider that from this point the prophecies refer to the Millennial time ]

Zeph 3:9 Then I shall restore pure lips to all peoples. So that everyone may call on The Name of the Lord and serve Him with one accord.
Zeph 3:10 My worshippers in distant places will bring their offering to Me.
Zeph 3:11 On that day, Jerusalem, you will not be shamed because I will have rid you of your proud and arrogant citizens.
Zeph 3:12-13 Only a remnant of lowly and humble people will survive. They will be righteous and nothing will make them afraid.
Zeph 3:14-18 Shout for joy, Israel, your punishment is over, your enemies defeated.
The Lord is now in your midst, He will show His love for you.
Zeph 3:19 When that time comes, I will deal with your oppressors. I shall gather you and bring you all home.
Zeph 3:20 You will have honour and praise among all the peoples when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. It is the Lord who speaks.

Note. I use the Revised English Bible, which I regard as the most accurate and easy to read translation.
I have abridged most verses, but the words used are as written in Scripture.
Words in brackets [ ] are my explanation.


Bruce McKerras August 2010