ZEPHANIAH

ZEPHANIAH INDUCTIVE BIBLE OVERVIEW

By Dennis Schmidt 12/2014

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This paper discusses the book of Zephaniah. The king of Judah at the time was Josiah. The judgments of Zephaniah were not against Judas, of that day, as the prophet encouraged Josiah and his advisors to institute reforms (2 Chronicles 34-35). Another prophet of about the same time was Jeremiah also written to Judah. Almost the entire book discusses God's coming judgment as a means of purifying the remnant and ushering in His kingdom. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

ZEPHANIAH THEME:

THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD JUDGMENT AGAINST ALL NATIONS. Zephaniah 1:14-15

AUTHOR: Prophet Zephaniah DATE: 640 BC FROM: Judah TO: Judah

PURPOSE:

THE DAY OF THE LORD IS TO PRODUCE JUDAH’S REPENTANCE. Zephaniah 2:3

KEY WORDS:

[ day of the Lord ] (13) {1:7=, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18; 2:2, 2:3, 2:4; 3:8, 11, 16}; [ judgment ] (4) {2:3=, 3:3, 3:5, 3:15}; [ Lord in the midst of thee ] (6) {2:14=, 2:14; 3:5, 11, 12, 15, 17}

OUTLINE FOR ZEPHANIAH

I) INTRODUCTION: {ZEPHANIAH 1:1}

II) JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL & NATIONS ON THE DAY OF THE LORD: {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 3:8}

A) JUDGMENT ON JUDAH {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 1:18}

B) JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS {ZEPHANIAH 2:1 – 2:15}

C) JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM & LEADERSHIP {ZEPHANIAH 3:1 – 3:8}

III) SALVATION TO REMNANT, LAND, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:20}

A) DELIVERANCE TO REMNANT {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:13}

B) RESTORATION TO LAND, PEOPLE, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM {ZEPHANIAH 3:14 – 3:20}

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MISC: ZEPHANIAH PROPHECIES FULFILLED IN NEW TESTAMENT {ZEPHANIAH 2:7 – 3:20}

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{Zephaniah 2:7} "And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." Fulfilled in millennium

{Micah 5:3-8} "Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. {4} And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. {5} And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. {6} And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. {7} And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. {8} And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

{Zephaniah 2:11} "The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen." Fulfilled in millennium / Armageddon / eternal state

{Psalm 96:4} "For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods."

{Zephaniah 3:8} "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy." Fulfilled at Jesus 2^nd coming

{Joel 3:2} "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land."

{Zechariah 12:2-3} "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. {3} And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

{Zechariah 14:2} "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city."

{Zephaniah 3:11-13} "In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. {12} I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. {13} 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." Fulfilled in millennium / eternal state

{Isaiah 10:20-22} "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. {21} The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. {22} For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness."

{Daniel 9:16} "O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us."

{Zephaniah 3:14-19} "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. {15} 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. {16} In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. {17} 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. {18} I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. {19} Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame." Fulfilled in millennium

{Ezekiel 33:16} "None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live."

{Isaiah 65:19} "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."

{Zephaniah 3:20} "At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Fulfilled at Jesus 2^nd coming

{Isaiah 11:12} "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

{Ezra 28:5} "Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob."

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See my paper: "Deeper Bible Topical Papers" WITHOUT COMMENTS & REFERENCE SCRIPTURES for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Salvation Biblical Word Glossary" SALVATION WORD DEFINITIONS ARE SHOWN INCLUDING THEIR HEBREW & GREEK MEANINGS for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "My Doctrine Beliefs" ALL KEY THEOLOGICAL AREAS WITH MY PAPERS ON EACH SUBJECT for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Bible Books & Topics - Subject Cross Index" SHOWS REFERENCES IN BOTH MY BIBLE & TOPIC PAPERS WHERE A TOPIC SUBJECT INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND. for more information on this subject.

I) INTRODUCTION: {ZEPHANIAH 1:1}

Word of the Lord: Used several places: Hosea 1:1; Micah 1:1

See my paper: "God's Word/Bible/Scriptures" HOW GOD REVEALS HIMSELF; WRITTEN AND ORAL; SAFE GUARDS ON HIS WORD. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Bible Study & Interpretation Guideline" PRESENTED IS HOW TO STUDY SCRIPTURE SYSTEMATICALLY. for more information on this subject.

Prophet as God's word spokeman:

1 Corinthians 14:29 "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."

See my paper: "Jesus as Prophet, Priest, & King" SCRIPTURES SHOWS JESUS AS A PROPHET, MELCHISEDEC PRIEST & ETERNAL KING for more information on this subject.

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MISC: TRUE & FALSE PROPHETS TEST {ZEPHANIAH 1:1}

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Prophet: A spokesman for another, as for God. Other names/titles in the Bible are as follows: Man of God; Servant of the Lord; Messenger of the Lord; and Seer (to see).

Exodus 7:1-2 "And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. {2} Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land."

Numbers 11:29 "And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, <and> that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

Jeremiah 1:7 "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I <am> a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."

Amos 3:7-8 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. {8} The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"

1 Samuel 9:9 "(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for <he that is> now <called> a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)"

John 15:15 "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

1 Corinthians 12:28 "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

Prophet would meet the following:

- Spoke only in the name of the Lord (Yahweh).

- God had a special calling for him to by a prophet.

- His life matches his position. He did not practice divination.

- Do not assume signs and wonders prove his position.

- His God given prophecies came to pass.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, {2} And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; {3} Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

2 Thessalonians 2:9 "<Even him>, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"

- His message was in harmony with previous revelation. History will confirms his authenticity.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? {22} When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that <is> the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, <but> the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."

- Moral quality and spiritual essence of the message.

- Inner witness to the Holy Spirit believer.

- Test the prophets revelation against what the Bible states.

1 Corinthians 14:29 "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."

Holy Scriptures:

God's word is above that of His name:

Psalms 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." God's words is most important.

Word of God is Jesus (God's name) who is in every Scriptures:

Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." The Bible, scriptures, are God's words.

Psalms 40:7 "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book <it is> written of me," (fulfilled see Hebrews 10:7) The Bible is centered on Jesus (God) before & after He is manifested in flesh.

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus is God & the Word of God.

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Zephaniah: Name means hid (protected) of the Lord. He has an extended genealogy over other prophets. He was of noble birth.

Cushi: Name means the same.

Gedaliah: Name means God is my greatness; or magnified of the Lord.

Amariah: Name means promised of the Lord.

Hizkiah (King Hezekiah): His name means strong of the Lord; or taken and supported by the Lord. He was King of Judah from 715 to 686 BC and is mention with Isaiah.

Josiah: Name means Jehovah heals. He was King of Judah from 640 to 609 BC and did right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34-35). He was made king at age 8. His advisor was Hilkiah, the high priest. At age 16 he turned to God. At age 20 he instituted a program of moral and religious reforms. The temple was repaired and Moses' book of the law was found. He died by going against Egypt when God instructed him not to fight them.

Although, a good king, he died young 2 Chronicles 35:20-25

Amon: Name means faithful, true.

II) JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL & NATIONS ON THE DAY OF THE LORD: {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 3:8}

A) JUDGMENT ON JUDAH {ZEPHANIAH 1:2 – 1:18}

I will utterly consume all things from off the land: God's cleaning of the earth by fire. See 1:18 and 3:8.

See my paper: "Triunity: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" GOD IS A QUALITATIVE ONE TRIUNITY NOT TRIUNE: THREE SEPARATE PERSONS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Just Who Is God" GOD CAN NOT BE DIVIDED. GOD IS A QUALITATIVE ONE TRIUNITY NOT THREE SEPARATE PERSONS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "The One God - The Shama" THE KEY BIBLE SCRIPTURE FOR ONE GOD IS DEUTERONOMY 6:4. THE WORD FOR GOD IS A PLURALITY, & THE WORD FOR ONE IS A COMPOUND UNITY. THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE FOR GOD WHO IS A TRIUNITY PLURALITY ONE UNITY. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "God the Holy Spirit / Ghost Scriptures & Notes" SCRIPTURES & NOTES THAT SHOW THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD & A MANIFESTATION OF THE TRIUNITY GODHEAD for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Godhead Relationship" HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH MANIFESTATION OF THE GODHEAD FOR FULFILLMENT, NOT ONLY JESUS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Entry into the Holy of Holies" 3RD EXPERIENCE WITH THE FATHER, 1ST BORN-AGAIN WITH JESUS & 2ND WITH HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM for more information on this subject.

Baal worship: Male divinity from Canaan & Moab. It included child sacrifice/prostitution. Bull symbol for fertility Baal means husband, lord or owner & is a god over nature & elements.

Stretch out mine hand upon Judah: Zephaniah may have helped guide the king to correct Judah's idolatry. Josiah in 627 BC reformed the Judah & Jerusalem's for type problems from 1:4 - 1:6.

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" JESUS JEWISHNESS, ISRAEL, JERUSALEM, & JEWS IN GOD'S PLAN; JEWS & GENTILE SALVATION for more information on this subject.

Star worship. Malcham = Molech many gods.

Worship the host of heavens upon the housetops:

Evil men sacrifice.

Day of the Lord: Refers to consummation of history and divine judgments. Two aspects: triumph over evil & restoring kingdom. Mention 5 times in Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31 and 3:14. It is called gloominess (2:2), destruction (1:15), wrath (Zephaniah 1:15, 18), and punishment (Isaiah 24:20-21). Other references: Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5,30:3; Amos 5:18,20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7,14 (Almost the entire book); Malachi 4:5

See my paper: "End Times Events - Day of the Lord" ESCHATOLOGY. GOD'S PLAN FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS END DAYS, INCLUDING MANY RAPTURES, & JESUS 2ND COMING for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Revelation-Key-Elements" REVELATION-KEY-ELEMENTS: QUICKLY HELP EXPLAIN THE BOOK OF REVELATION BY CHAPTERS AND HIGHLIGHTS for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Revelation - Overview" REVELATION CHAPTER EVENTS WITH PICTURES – 7 CHURCHES (2, 3); 144,000 (7, 14); 3 SETS OF SEVEN PLAGUES: [SEALS (6, 8); TRUMPETS (8-9, 11); VIALS (16)]; 2 WITNESSES (11); ALL RAPTURES {12); SATAN (12, 13, 17); ANTI-CHRIST (13, 17); FALSE PROPHET (13,17); HARLOT (17) for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Day of the Lord” DAY OF THE LORD EVENTS for more information on this subject.

Location Joel 3:2 Valley of Jehoshaphat (means Yahweh judges).

See my paper: "Preservation and Perseverance of the Elect" ELECT HAVE ETERNAL SECURITY BEING KEPT BY GOD UNTO ETERNAL LIFE. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Is Free Will Biblical?" MANY SCRIPTURES ARE SHOWN FOR PREDESTINATED. OPPOSING FREEWILL VIEWS ARE DISCUSSED for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Some Saved and Some Lost - God's Sovereignty" GOD'S PLAN FOR BOTH PEOPLE THAT ARE LOST & SAVE IS SHOWN for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "God Plans for His Purpose. Who Harden Pharaoh's Heart?" GOD'S USE OF SINNERS TO ACHIEVE HIS PURPOSE IS SHOWN for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Plan of God" DISCUSSED ARE PREDESTINATION AND RELATED TOPICS WITH THEIR GREEK AND HEBREW DEFINITIONS, SCRIPTURES, AND COMMENTS for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "God Will Receive All the Glory" DISCUSSED IS PREDESTINATION PLAN OF GOD FOR SALVATION, SANCTIFICATION, PERFECTION, AND GLORIFICATION. for more information on this subject.

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KEYWORD: THE DAY OF THE LORD: {ZEPHANIAH 1:7 – 3:16}

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(1) Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. {Zephaniah 1:7}

(2) And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. {Zephaniah 1:8}

(3) In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. {Zephaniah 1:9}

(4) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. {Zephaniah 1:10}

(5) The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. {Zephaniah 1:14}

(6) That day is 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, {Zephaniah 1:15}

(7) A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. {Zephaniah 1:16}

(8) Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. {Zephaniah 1:18}

(9) Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. {Zephaniah 2:2}

(10) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. {Zephaniah 2:3}

(11) Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. {Zephaniah 3:8}

(12) In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. {Zephaniah 3:11}

(13) In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. {Zephaniah 3:16}

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I will punish the princes...king's children:

See my paper: "Judgments of Believer & Unbeliever" PRESENTED ARE SEVERAL JUDGMENTS FOR THE SAVED AND UN-SAVED for more information on this subject.

Pagan custom of carrying wife over threshold.

Fish gate: One of Jerusalem's main entrances.

See my paper: "Israel Trip to the Holy Land Israel" TRIP IN 5/97 TO VISIT ISRAEL WHERE MY DAUGHTER, TOUR, & A NUMBER OF SPECIAL EXPERIENCES OCCURRED. for more information on this subject.

Corrupt business practices. Maktesh = market.

Say in their heart, the Lord will do good, neither will He do evil:

Arrogance of wicked that God will do nothing.

KEY VERSES: Zephaniah 1:14

Great day of the Lord is near: Day of the Lord.

ZEPHANIAH THEME:

THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD JUDGMENT AGAINST ALL NATIONS. Zephaniah 1:14-15

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LIST: NATURE OF THE DAY IS: {ZEPHANIAH 1:14 – 3:13}

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One prophecy divided into three parts: universal judgment, exhortation to repent, salvation promised.

(1) Imminent (near) {Zephaniah 1:14}

(2) Filled with wrath, trouble, distress, and darkness {Zephaniah 1:15}

(3) Judgment for sin {Zephaniah 1:17}

(4) Universal - Jew Gentile man animal: {Zephaniah 2:4-15}

(5) A remnant will survive: {Zephaniah 2:3, 3:9-13}

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Day of wrath..trouble..distress..wasteness..desolation..darkness:

Characteristics of God's punishment to evil.

Day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities:

Revelation 8 & 9 & mid 11 includes the seven trumpet plagues. 1/3 peoples of the earth will be killed. 7th trumpet is Christ's return

See my paper: "Multiple Raptures" THE BIBLE SHOWS HOW GOD HAS RAPTURE MANY PEOPLE FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END TIMES for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Overcomer" SHOWN IS THE HE, MAN-CHILD, ELECTED (ON FIRED) CHRISTIAN, PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE OVERCOMER for more information on this subject.

B) JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS {ZEPHANIAH 2:1 – 2:15}

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LIST: FOUR BEFORES: {ZEPHANIAH 2:2}

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(1) Before the decree bring forth {Zephaniah 2:2}

(2) <Before> the day pass as the chaff {Zephaniah 2:2}

(3) Before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you {Zephaniah 2:2}

(4) Before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you {Zephaniah 2:2}

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All ye meek of the earth..Seek righteousness:

See my paper: "What is a Born-Again & How to Become One" BORN-AGAIN PRINCIPLES ARE PRESENTED. THE STEPS TO RECEIVE JESUS ARE SHOWN. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Man's Greatest Need - Relationship With God" ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD CHARACTERISTICS & MAN'S PURPOSES. for more information on this subject.

ZEPHANIAH PURPOSE:

THE DAY OF THE LORD IS TO PRODUCE JUDAH’S REPENTANCE.

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth:

See my paper: "Sermon on the Mount" MATTHEW 5-7 & LUKE 6, 11 & 12 ARE DISCUSSED VERSE BY VERSE WITH KINGDOM PRINCIPLES for more information on this subject.

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KEYWORD: JUDGMENT {ZEPHANIAH 2:3 – 3:15}

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(1) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger. {Zephaniah 2:3}

(2) Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. {Zephaniah 3:3}

(3) The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. {Zephaniah 3:5}

(4) 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 3:15}

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Righteousness: Right/just/holy/clean/pure. Conform to God's norm.

Meekness: Gentle, submissive, patient and kind. In respect to God.

Numbers 12:3 "(Now the man Moses <was> very meek, above all the men which <were> upon the face of the earth.)

See my paper: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" GOSPEL SHOWN IN SCRIPTURES MUST INCLUDE THE REVELATION OF THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" TRANSFER OR THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS TO THE CHRISTIAN & CHRISTIAN'S SINS TO JESUS. for more information on this subject.

The four major cities of Philistines.

Gaza: Meaning strong or mighty, or a play on meaning.

Ashkelon: She was a prosperous community on the sea shore, or a play on the meaning.

Ashdod: Meaning is inclination, leaning; or a wild open place; or pillage, theft, or a play on the meaning.

Ekron: Meaning is barrenness, tore away, or a play on the meaning.

Cherethites: Means who cuts or who tears away and exterminates.

Canaan: Means a merchant or a trader. The son of Ham.

Philistines: Zephaniah 2:4 above mentioned the 4 main cities.

Turn away their captivity: Return the Jews to Israel from nations.

See my paper: "What is a Born-Again & How to Become One" BORN-AGAIN PRINCIPLES ARE PRESENTED. THE STEPS TO RECEIVE JESUS ARE SHOWN. for more information on this subject.

Moab: Means water of a father (progeny). Land out of Lot.

Ammon: Means great people. Land out of Lot.

Sodom: Means flaming or burning. Lot was involved with these cities before their destruction (see Genesis 19:24).

Gomorrah: Means a rebellious people or people that fear. Gen 19:24

Remnant of my people shall possess them: God's people rule world.

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" JESUS JEWISHNESS, ISRAEL, JERUSALEM, & JEWS IN GOD'S PLAN; JEWS & GENTILE SALVATION for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel" ISRAEL IS GODS CALENDAR TO EVENTS. JEWS WILL BE RESTORED & SAVED for more information on this subject.

He will famish all the gods of the earth: God's will bring every substitute gentile god down. As He did in Egypt with 10 plagues.

All men shall worship God..every one in his place..even heathens:

See my paper: "Unpardonable Sin" PRESENTED IS THE VARIOUS CASES OF UNFORGIVABLE SINS for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Apostasy" PRESENTED IS THE DOCTRINE OF APOSTASY WHICH DISCUSSES PEOPLE LEAVING GOD for more information on this subject.

Sword was probably Babylon used by God for his punishment.

Ethiopians: Cushites (NIV) ruled Egypt

Assyria's future judgment promise.

Assyria: A very wicket people God eventually destroyed after Jonah.

Nineveh: It was destroyed in 612 BC because of the destruction to Israel. Zephaniah was written before this date.

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KEYWORD: LORD IN THE MIDST OF THEE: {ZEPHANIAH 2:14 – 3:17}

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(1) And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. {Zephaniah 2:14}

(2) The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. {Zephaniah 3:5}

(3) In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. {Zephaniah 3:11}

(4) I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. {Zephaniah 3:12}

(5) 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 3:15}

(6) 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}

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I am and there is none beside me:

See my paper: "Triunity: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit" GOD IS A QUALITATIVE ONE TRIUNITY NOT TRIUNE: THREE SEPARATE PERSONS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Just Who Is God" GOD CAN NOT BE DIVIDED. GOD IS A QUALITATIVE ONE TRIUNITY NOT THREE SEPARATE PERSONS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Godhead Relationship" HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH MANIFESTATION OF THE GODHEAD FOR FULFILLMENT, NOT ONLY JESUS. for more information on this subject.

C) JUDGMENT ON JERUSALEM & LEADERSHIP {ZEPHANIAH 3:1 – 3:8}

She received not correction..she trusted not in the Lord..near God: She has the prophets & law to guide or destruction will result. We have the same guides (lessons and stories from scriptures).

Her princes within her are roaring lions: Many lion scriptures.

Her leaders: princes, judges, prophets, and priests are evil.

Prophets..Priests have polluted the sanctuary:

See my paper: "Church Officers and Their Qualifications" THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES & THE DEACON MINISTRY ARE PRESENTED for more information on this subject.

The just of the LORD:

See my paper: "Justification of Faith - Old Testament Doctrine" OLD TESTAMENT JEWS SAVED BY THE SAME WAY AS CHRISTIANS for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Justification" DEFINITION OF JUSTIFICATION; GOD JUSTIFIES VERSUS MAN'S JUSTIFICATION; JUSTIFIED BY GRACE NOT BY LAW THROUGH JESUS FAITH for more information on this subject.

I have cut off the nations:

See my paper: "Judgments of Believer & Unbeliever" PRESENTED ARE SEVERAL JUDGMENTS FOR THE SAVED AND UN-SAVED for more information on this subject.

For my determination is to gather the nations..pour my indignation

See my paper: "Kingdom of God & Heaven" JESUS CAME TO ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM. WHAT IS HIS KINGDOM? HOW CAN IT BE ENTERED? for more information on this subject.

All the earth shall be devoured with the fire or my jealousy: God will destroy the earth with fire.

III) SALVATION TO REMNANT, LAND, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:20}

A) DELIVERANCE TO REMNANT {ZEPHANIAH 3:9 – 3:13}

All speak the same language of faith.

I turn to the people a pure language..they may call upon..the Lord: Turn has the sense of restore or bring back. Babel's rebellion had God confuse the languages.

See my paper: "Man's Greatest Need - Relationship With God" ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD CHARACTERISTICS & MAN'S PURPOSES. for more information on this subject.

Leave afflicted & poor people..they shall trust in the Lord's name:

See my paper: "Faith" FAITH PROMISES PRESENTED FOR EVERY ASPECT OF THE CHRISTIANS LIFE: SALVATION & HEALING. THE CONDITIONS. for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Grace" DEFINITION OF GRACE; GRACE FOR BELIEVERS; ONLY KINDNESS TO UNBELIEVERS; GRACE GROWTH; GRACE SAVES for more information on this subject.

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity:

None shall make them afraid:

B) RESTORATION TO LAND, PEOPLE, & RELIGIOUS SYSTEM {ZEPHANIAH 3:14 – 3:20}

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MISC: ISRAEL’S RESTORATION: {ZEPHANIAH 3:14 – 3:20}

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(1) Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. {Zephaniah 3:14}

(2) 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 3:15}

(3) In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. {Zephaniah 3:16}

(4) 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}

(5) I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. {Zephaniah 3:18}

(6) Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. {Zephaniah 3:19}

(7) At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. {Zephaniah 3:20}

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The Lord take away thy judgments..thou shalt not see evil any more:

See my papers: "Love" for more information on this subject.

Solemn assembly = appointed feasts.

See my papers: "Feasts of the Lord" for more information on this subject.

The time I gather you:

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" JESUS JEWISHNESS, ISRAEL, JERUSALEM, & JEWS IN GOD'S PLAN; JEWS & GENTILE SALVATION for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Restoration of the Kingdom of God to Israel" ISRAEL IS GODS CALENDAR TO EVENTS. JEWS WILL BE RESTORED & SAVED for more information on this subject.

I will make you a name and a praise..I turn back your captivity:

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