The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
Zephaniah 3:13-15
Redemption. All that God does has one purpose--redemption. The Book of Zephaniah, like most of the other prophetic books, has awesome and terrible judgments described in it. Do you want to be here when every bird and fish dies? Would you want to see a time described as, "...a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers" (1:15-16)? Why does God send such strong and absolute judgment? It is about redemption.
Sin mars our relationship with God and attaches the heart of humans to that which is temporal and fleeting. In an effort to redeem some, God sends punishment designed to get us to pay attention. Sadly, most do not stop to consider eternity. They do not look to the God of grace and mercy for help. They love darkness rather than light. However, there is always a remnant. It is the remnant that God is seeking. Each trouble sent on the world is designed to get some to look to the Redeemer.
God is protecting Israel with a strong hand. He will soon defend Israel from an onslaught by their neighbors that will cause all of the world to take notice. Though many may suffer, a remnant will survive. He has covenant promises to accomplish given to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. He will raise up a Savior to sit on David's--His father's--throne. Yet, David said of this Son that he was his Lord. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1). Only Yeshua ha'Mashyiach fulfills this verse. He will perform that which He has promised. A remnant of Israel will be sanctified and enter the Reign of Y'shua Messiah!
Those who accept the Messiah now are Zephaniah. The name means, "the LORD has hidden." Do you want to be Zephaniah? Do you wish to fulfill this verse, "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3)? Call to Him. There is still time. You too can be hidden in Him before the dark days of trouble catch the world. The judgments will become greater and more frequent. Turn to Him today!
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Israel and the Middle East
As in the Days of Noah--Godlessness in the Last Days
I agree John,
ReplyDeletePeople are running out of time.We are entering a time when things will be happening so fast, some won't even have time to think. And if they have only a minute to cry out, their last thoughts may be of their family and loved ones, not Jesus, who came to save them.
I wish we could pull the veil back. I wish we could give them eyes to see. But that's His job. Ours is to warn them, in love, and many times with tears.
God Bless,
Gerie