Zephaniah: The relevance of Old Testament prophecy for today.

Zephaniah: The relevance of Old Testament prophecy for today.

The book begins with the declaration that "The Word of the Lord" came to this man Zephaniah;

And then his lineage, his place in time and his historical authenticity are established. 

The significance of these facts can be easily missed, or read over without proper consideration as to their major importance for our well being, for our understanding of reality and for our confidence in the Bible as the source of dependable truth.
Our well being because if God did not reach down to man then man could never reach up to God and we would be left to our own flawed and defiled imaginations as to how to act and what to believe.
Our understanding because without God's revelation of objective truth we would be forever lost in a sea of subjective relativism, agnostic skepticism and moral confusion.
Our confidence in the Bible because it can be and has been demonstrated that we have an actual historical record of real events concerning real people, that has been verified over and over again.

The phrase "The Word of the Lord" is loaded with significance and should fill us with wonder and awe!

The God of all creation, the Almighty God who is the Author of reality speaks to men and does so in order that mankind may gain knowledge of Truth and walk in the light of understanding concerning how things actually are. 

Consider what is stated by the Prophet Amos in chapter 3 verse 7 of his book:

"The Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets."

The prophets then, of course, share what they have heard from God with the rest of us.

How incredibly important this concept is for us. 

How gracious and loving an act by the Almighty to condescend to reveal Himself and His ways to man.

Once we can wrap our heads around the idea that God has really spoken and that we can understand what He has said, we should be able to have confidence and courage to study the Bible.
When we come to see  that it is relevant to us in our daily lives today, we find a source of insight and comfort that the world cannot offer.
Finally in addition to all of that, we find that these truths have eternal ramifications for us; concerning our future well being and ultimate destiny; the most significant fact being we actually have an eternal future.

Now we can begin to appreciate just how valuable the Bible truly is; both the Old and New Testament.

And so we come to the topic at hand. The relevancy of Old Testament prophecy for today. 

As a Bible teacher I hold to what is known as a "High" view of the Scripture.
Those of us who believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and that it contains inerrant, inspired prophetic revelation are in the definite minority even among those who claim to be Christians.

I have considered other views concerning inspiration, inerrancy and the accuracy of the Bible and after more than three decades of investigation and study, I am fully convinced that what we have is an accurate representation of what God want's to say to man, including prophetic revelation that has yet to be fulfilled but that will come to pass exactly as predicted.

The widely ignored principles of divine superintendence and the supernatural preservation of the Word of God are also in play throughout history and continue to this day.

For me the debate is over; for those who would want to look further into these concepts or review them again, I have posted material on these subjects on this site for your consideration, particularly "The Word of God " and "Hermeneutics" studies, along with others.

So, what does Zephaniah have to say?

There is coming a day when God is going to say "Enough" and He will make an end to the current world system and all of the attendant evil, corruption and rebellion that goes along with it.

This is not a capricious act or an unexplainable fact; but there are definite reasons given to explain why this is the case and there are principles that are set forth to instruct us as to God's reasons for His actions.

Furthermore; while the focus is on the nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem, all nations are in view; and indeed all of creation is included in the prophetic revelation of impending judgement; some of it has near future application at the time of the writing, some is distant future from the perspective of the prophet, and some has end time application.

There has been a tendency among the nations and among individual people in general to look upon the Jewish people with disdain and censorious judgement. 

"They must have really offended God to have had to endure so much trouble for so long!"

What is missed in this type of an attitude is the fact that Israel is a foreshadow, an object lesson and a  microcosm of  how God will ultimately deal with the rest of mankind; with all of the rest of the nations in the end.

We need to recognize that when we stand in judgement and condemnation of others that we will be held to the same standards ourselves. Mt.7:2

We ought not gloat over the troubles of others but we should take to heart the lessons being revealed and consider our own situation, repent and get right with God ourselves; both individually as well as nationally.

These principles are universal and they apply to our world, our country, our church and ourselves today.

These facts should really get our attention!

God is about to cleanse the entirety of  creation and begin again with new heavens and earth.

"I will completely remove all things from the face of the earth," declares the Lord. Zeph.1:2

II Pet. 3:10 - "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up."

3:14 - "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."

I know that the concept of such a thing seems remote among the everyday mundane circumstances of life; But the fact is, that it will come, and it is closer today than ever before, if for no other reason than for just the natural flow of time.

However there is more to consider than just the flow of time;  

There are the signs of the times.

Mt. 16:3 - Jesus said that we should be able to discern the signs of the times.

So, what are some of the signs under consideration in this brief prophecy that concern us?

What lessons and warnings should we consider for our times?  

Zeph.1:4-11 - Idolatry, occultism, syncretism,  and complacency concerning God.

Idolatry of every kind will be judged and removed from existence along with all of those who teach it, practice it or participate in any way with it. vs.4

Astrology and all other forms of occultism will be judged and eliminated and those who depend upon such things will be left without any defense and will be cut off like the idolaters. vs.5a

Syncretism, henotheism, polytheism, pantheism, animism and all other forms of false religion will be eliminated forever, again along with all of those involved with them. vs.5bc

And finally, and perhaps most frighteningly of all in light of the current state of the so called Church; Complacency and what has been called "practical atheism" among those who claim to be the people of God. vs.6

All of these were manifest in Zephaniah's day and growing; and obviously they are back with a vengeance in our day and on the rise like never before.

So, what were the consequences for God's people and for the nations in Zephaniah's day for these practices and behaviors?
Judgement, destruction and the wrath of God poured out upon nations and individuals. vss.7-18

So what should we expect if these same things are manifest and spreading in our world and times today?
"Near is the great day of the Lord, near and coming quickly;" vs.14

Oh my friends, do not take lightly the warnings and admonitions of the Lord! Gal.6:7
He will not allow this to go on indefinitely; He will make an end of sin and rebellion.
II Pet.3:1-9
Not only for His own sake and for His glory, but for the wellbeing and continuation of mankind. Mt.24:22

Psalm 25 - There is always hope for the humble repentant one.
vs. 8 - "Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way."

Zephaniah chapter 2:
vss.1-3 - There is still time to repent!
"Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger."
This principle always applies in all dispensations and for all people.

vss. 4-15 - The nations will not escape God's judgement, the very ones gloating over Israel's troubles will be judged and found wanting, condemned and destroyed.
A brief review of the territories and peoples involved in the prophecy of Zephaniah two will reveal the startling fact that the very peoples and nations that inhabit these areas in our day are the most vehement and determined enemies of modern Israel; no coincidence here!

A remnant of God's people will inherit the land now occupied by the enemies of God.
God Himself will see to it. vs.7

Zephaniah chapter 3:
vss.1-5 -  A very grave warning!
In the immediate context a warning to Jerusalem.
As propositional revelation, a warning for all time to all cities; Washington D.C. for example.

vss.6-7 - This particular section illuminates and magnifies an alarming and persistent problem for all people and nations for all time.
Paraphrasing what God says "Surely after all you have been told and all that you have witnessed of the consequences of failing to heed My instructions and warnings you will repent and change your ways!'
But they would not!
Not much has changed in 2,600 years.

vs.8 - Therefore judgement is sure to come: ultimately Armageddon.

vss.9-10 - Even so, God will have mercy on the nations; The blessings of the Millennial Kingdom will be enjoyed by all people.


vss.11-12 - Israel and Jerusalem will be restored; The inheritance of the remnant is guaranteed!
God is faithful even if we are not and He will bring to pass all of the blessings that He has promised to His people Israel.

Knowing this, we can have confidence, even in the face of circumstances that seem hopeless and contrary to current circumstances, that God will deliver on all of His promises to us as well.

This little ancient book is indeed very relevant for us in our day!