THE MESSAGE OF ZEPHANIAH
Dr. David L. Cooper
Biblical Research Monthly
July 1954

The Word of Jehovah came to the prophet Zephaniah "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah" (Zeph. 1:1). This data puts his ministry in the declining years of the kingdom of Judah—about forty years before the final overthrow of Jerusalem.

The Day of Jehovah

In Zephaniah 1:2-18 we have a vivid description of the Tribulation Period, which is always called "the day of Jehovah" in the Old Testament.

In 1:2-6 we have a picture of the utter desolation and the wreckage that will be wrought during the Tribulation, especially in Palestine. This description reminds one of the vision which Jeremiah saw when he was given a revelation of the entire world situation at the end of the Tribulation (Jer. 4:23-26). Zephaniah, however, in these verses saw only Palestine and Jerusalem, as it will be in the end of the Tribulation, when God purges all wickedness and sin of every description from the land.

We get a closeup view of the wreckage and chaos that will result from the Tribulation judgments as it effects Jerusalem and the Jewish people, in Zephaniah 1:7-13. But in 14-18 we have the prophet's vision enlarged to embrace the entire world of that time. Here we are told of the terrible conditions that will obtain throughout the Tribulation. This time of judgment will be a time of utter destruction: waste, war, carnage, and bloodshed throughout the entire world. (For a more detailed description of the wrecked world, see Isaiah 24:1-20.)

The Regathering of Israel Before the Day of Jehovah

In Zephaniah 2:1-3 is a prediction of the present Zionistic movement that is establishing its state and regime in Palestine. The reason for my making this statement is that the Jewish people are urged by the prophet in this section of scripture to gather together "before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah's anger come upon you." It is clear from these words that this regathering of Israel to the land of the fathers is before the Tribulation begins—immediately before it.

Undoubtedly this prophecy is being fulfilled at the present time. The Jews are returning and are building up the land in an unbelievable manner. The progress that is being made is amazing. This present return to the land is that which was foretold in Ezekiel 20:33-44. One should read the entire twentieth chapter of Ezekiel in order to get the setting. But in verses 33-44 there is the especial prediction that God will, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, bring Israel out from among the nations and put her in the land of the fathers. But when this is done, He purges out all the wicked sinners from among them and then re-establishes the cleansed remnant of the nation in the land of the fathers. In view of this prediction and others relating to the same event, it is clear that this present return to Palestine on the part of the Jews is not the final restoration of Israel.

As we compare these various scriptures, we see that God will once more allow the nations to spew the Jews out of Palestine and scatter them among the nations, but will eventually bring them back as a final act of the drama of Jewish history and establish them firmly in the land at the second coming of our Lord.

Oracles Regarding Certain Heathen Nations

In the Major (and some of the Minor) Prophets we find oracles uttered especially with reference to the nations that were adjoining the land of Israel. For instance, the prophet Isaiah (chaps. 13-23) delivered a series of oracles against certain nations. He began with Babylon and closed with Tyre. Jeremiah, likewise, spoke oracles against various nations (Jer., chaps. 46-51). Ezekiel (chaps. 25-32) made definite predictions against certain nations. The prophet Amos (1:1—2:8) likewise prophesied regarding various heathen nations, especially those adjoining Israel. Finally, Zephaniah (2:4-15) was led to hurl his philippics against certain adjoining nations.

Again, Obadiah, in the one chapter of his book, concerns himself with an oracle pertaining to Nineveh. And Habakkuk occupies the bulk of his prophecy with a prediction concerning Babylon of his day and time, blending it with one that pertains to Babylon of the end time under the Antichrist. Nahum also consumed all his time and energy in delivering oracles against Nineveh and the Assyrian nation—both of his own day and time and the Nineveh and Assyria of the end time.

Some portions of these oracles that were spoken concerning the nations have been fulfilled. But there are elements that have never been brought to pass, but that will be carried out eventually, in the end of the age.

Jerusalem of the End Time

In Zephaniah 3:1-7 we have a picture of Jerusalem, of the end time especially. But we may be certain that in these verses the prophet blended predictions that pertained to the Jerusalem of his day with the description of Jerusalem of the end time.

Jerusalem is called a "rebellious and polluted" city, the "oppressing city"—a city which did not obey God nor trust in Jehovah. She went along in her own way, unmindful of the God in whom her people lived, moved, and had their continual existence. But there is always a day of reckoning! That day will come to Jerusalem in the end time, when God will punish His beloved people, Israel, for their sins and indifference.

The War of the Great Day of God the Almighty

We have, in Zephaniah 3:8, a brief, yet comprehensive, prophecy concerning what is called in the New Testament, the war of the great day of God the Almighty, when the Lord brings all the nations against Jerusalem to battle. The prophets are unanimous in their predictions that, in the end of the age, God will by His overruling providence bring all nations of the world against Jerusalem to battle. For example, see Zechariah 14:1-8; also Revelation 16:12-16; 19:19-21.

Messiah's Millennial Reign

Following the great Tribulation will be the glorious reign of our Lord, when He returns, lifts the curse from the earth, and establishes a regime of righteousness from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

At that time the Lord, who confounded the speech of people of Babel and then dispersed them over the world, will restore to the human family a pure speech. During the Tribulation the Lord will purge out all the sinners from Israel and likewise from all nations. Only the truehearted will survive the ordeals of such terrific judgments as will fall upon the earth during the Tribulation.

A glimpse at 3:9-13 gives us Zephaniah's version of the millennial reign of our Lord. Psalm 72 is also a beautiful picture of that time of peace and righteousness. Many are the psalms and prophecies that deal with this theme.

Jerusalem, the Capital of the World

In the last paragraph of Zephaniah (3:14-20) we have a prediction of Jerusalem when it becomes the capital of the entire world. At that time "the King of Israel, even Jehovah" will be in the midst of Jerusalem. He will reign there, as His capital, from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

At that time Israel will become a praise throughout the world. The nation will become a channel of blessing to all nations. Great will be that day!

     O Lord Jesus, come!