Zephaniah, more than any other prophet, concentrates on the “day of the Lord.” As is the case for most prophesy, there have been many precursors to this final “day,” such as the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians or the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. But they all pale in comparison to the absolute final Day when God will judge the earth.
We read of this final judgment in both Zephaniah and Revelation 16, today.
The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements (Zephaniah 1:15-16).
On this Christmas day, we must remember the One who came to save us from the future “day of the Lord.” Because of the sacrifice of the Lamb, we will be hidden in Christ on that terrible day (Zeph. 2:3), and we will rejoice with the worldwide church!
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil (Zephaniah 3:14-15).
Merry Christmas!
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