Sunday, December 29, 2019

Judgment on the Whole Earth in the Day of the Lord

Zephaniah 1:01-18
When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth, declared the Lord.
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.
On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, who fill the temple of their gods with violence and deceit.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.'
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them  on the day of the Lord’s wrath.”
Zephaniah prophesied in the reigns of King Josiah of Judah, about the time Jeremiah's ministry began. From his stern words to the nation, it seems he spoke before Josiah launched his great programme of reform in 621, following the discovery of the law-book in the Temple. The tow previous kings, Manasseh and Amon had brought the religion and morality of Judah to an all-time low. Zephaniah himself may have been of royal blood, tracing his ancestry back to Hezekiah, who was king in Isaiah's day.
In popular thinking, the 'day of the Lord' would bring untold blessing to all God's people, and destruction to their enemies. Amon, years before this, has warned that on that day all evil would be punished, making it a black day for many in Israel. Zephaniah spells out the same message, in detail, to Judah. The day is close at hand when all who are guilty of idolatry violence, fraud, all who set apart for destruction. And their cry will be heard in every quarter of the city of Jerusalem.
Why?
God is the living Lord, he knew everyone doing on the world, he is not doing nothing, but gives time to people to repent and return. When the man did with violent and deceit, God's punishment will come upon them soon.
This is a warning message, be aware of the Lord.
How?
Fear the Lord and be aware God is the sovereign Lord on the Lord.






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