King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday August 05, 2024
Chapters: Zephaniah Chapters 1-3
Message: God’s Remnant
Hello My Friend,
I always forget just how much information is written in the minor prophet books, in fact, some of the most important information written about Jesus and what is to come when He returns is contained within them. This is why we can never overlook any part of the Bible as in all reality the same God who dealt with those who believed in Him before Christ came here in the flesh is the same God who deals with us today, [Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.]
God gave us all of His Word for a reason or I should say what is written in it, He could have given us other testimonies of other nations who chose Him, but He chose Israel because that is where He would bring His Son into the world. All Scripture is given to us for a specific reason, and He left nothing out of it, [2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]
The Book of Zephaniah contains three chapters, the author of the book is Zephaniah and it was written to Israel and all nations. The timeline for these events took place approximately between 639BC and 609BC. The purpose of the book was to warn all nations of Judgment Day. What we are to learn from the book is that God rather save then destroy, and is mighty to save all who come to Him, [Zephaniah 3:17 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.]
Zephaniah, is the great-grandson of king Hezekiah, which also makes him a son of Josiah. In the days of Josiah, he was there with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and foretells of what Jeremiah and Ezekiel did. Although Zephaniah does not have much to say in the three small chapters within this book it is a powerful message. God, is angry, and has cast judgment upon the entire earth.
[Zephaniah 1:1-6 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. 2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. 3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. 4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; 5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; 6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.]
[them that worship and that swear by the LORD,] Perhaps more furious to God than the heathen who rejects Him is the one who proclaims Him yet worships another god. God can accept the one that refuses to humble themselves to Him and receive His Son as their Saviour and He can accept the one who does, but He will not accept the one who wants it both ways, Jesus calls them salt that has lost its flavor, [Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.]
[have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.] Why is God angry at those whom have not sought Him or even thought about knowing the truth about Him? Ignorance saves no one, whether that person is an atheist, evolutionist, or just believes that you are born into this world then you die. Every soul created was given the knowledge of God from conception so there is no excuse to not know that God exists, but just like His Word says, their foolish heart was darkened and they forgot Him, [Romans 1:20-21 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.]
The day of God’s wrath will strip unrepentant sinners of all that they have and will leave them with nothing, but distress and pain, even for those who are saved. We cannot expect God to be okay with everything that is going on, not in this generation or any generation, especially among His very own people. Through Zephaniah, God, has declared His judgment as a day of sacrifice.
[Zephaniah 1:7-8,12,15 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. 8 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. 12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. 15 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,]
[all such as are clothed with strange apparel.] This reminds me of the very parable that Jesus spoke, [Matthew 22:11-14 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.]
[The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.] God is addressing those who think they are hid from Him and that He does not see what they are doing. All of their efforts to save themselves will be a waste. God may be slow to anger and long suffering in that He gives the lost ample time to come to His Son, but there will come a day when time will be up. God, in all His anger will literally bring fire down from heaven, just like He did when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [Genesis 19:24-25 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.]
God, does not have to use man made weapons to rid the earth of all that is evil, He is very patient and long suffering in that He will give everyone an opportunity to find His Son before the final judgment comes. Through Zephaniah, God sends the warning that judgment is not just for Israel, it is for all nations.
[Zephaniah 2:1-4 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; 2 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. 3 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. 4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.]
[Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation:] Wow! This sort of sounds like what is going on between Israel and Gaza right now. As much as the world and sadly even America has joined in with them tries to stop God’s judgments they will always come to pass. God will always give ample warnings before He sends the judgment in an attempt to get them to repent. While not everyone will repent a remnant will. As Zephaniah continues, He lets it be known that there will be a remnant of Judah that will be saved.
[Zephaniah 2:7-9 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. 8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. 9 Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.]
[the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah;] This is in reference to when the Jews, who were predominately from Judah, would be released from captivity to Babylon after seventy years. While they were all free to go the majority of them stayed in Babylon, and only a remnant returned to Jerusalem, [Nehemiah 7:66-67 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, 67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.]
[Surely Moab shall be as Sodom,] This was actually fulfilled when the cities of Palestine while being rebuilt were overthrown by the Jews, and this is why Israel is still at war with Gaza today. As long as God lives He will forever defend and protect the remnant of His people, and since He is eternal He will forever defend and protect them. And if there is one thing that God despises more it is pride, and He addresses this as we continue reading through Zephaniah.
[Zephaniah 2:10-11,15 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. 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. 15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.]
[said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me:] This is in reference to Moab and Ammon who are the incestuous children of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot, lived in Sodom before God had sent fire down from heaven and destroyed it. The only reason that God had spared Lot was because he had some faith in Him, but his love for the world had always taken place over God.
[Zephaniah 3:1-5 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! 2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. 5 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.]
[he will not do iniquity…but the unjust knoweth no shame.] God does not want His own to be in the midst of all this, and those who are saved will be hid from all this. Perhaps more dangerous than worshiping false gods is making yourself one. We all think highly of ourselves, that is just part of our nature, but when we place ourselves above God that is when it becomes a problem. The devil did that and has a one way ticket to hell and the lake of fire waiting for him as does anyone else who is too proud to seek the LORD, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
The way things are going right now, Jesus could return any minute to take His people out of here before things get unbearable, and in a moment God’s anger will be poured out over the entire world. Why? God is a jealous God, and that same fire that He sent down upon Sodom and Gomorrah is the same fire that He will send down to rid the entire earth of all its evil. Through Zephaniah, God warns of the day that all the earth is destroyed by the fire, but also gives hope to those who call upon Him to save them.
[Zephaniah 3:8–9,11-12 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. 9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. 11 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.]
[gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms,] God does not want His own to be in the midst of all this, and those who are saved will be hid from all this. Perhaps more dangerous than worshiping false gods is making yourself one. We all think highly of ourselves, that is just part of our nature, but when we place ourselves above God that is when it becomes a problem. The devil did that and has a one way ticket to hell and the lake of fire waiting for him as does anyone else who is too proud to seek the LORD, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
[also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people,] Sometimes God’s greatest efforts to win someone to Christ is through fear. It is often the fear of death or even someone’s death that leads someone to look for Christ in the first place. Regardless of how we are led to Christ, the most important thing to do is to accept Him before we die or He returns, [Romans 6:22-23 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.]
Being a Christian in today’s world can be scary, not only has persecution risen, so has martyrdom, people are being killed for professing their faith, this is not something that has been an issue for long time. God willingly saves and rejoices over anyone who comes to Him through His Son, He promises that while we may be afflicted from time to time, we will be saved from the worse that is yet to come, and not only that, join Him in Zion.
[Zephaniah 3:14-15,18-20 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. 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. 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.]
[the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee:] What a day it will be when God’s wrath is halted, and there will be an end to all evil as we know it, no more sin, sickness, sadness, pain, suffering or even death. Salvation does not lie on a particular group, sect, race, or religion, it lies on One Person, the LORD, Jesus Christ, who is also our King, and will be in the midst of us throughout eternity.
[1 Corinthians 15:52-57 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Zephaniah 1:7 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 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us hope and assurance of the glorious day in which all nations will come together as one, speak one language, and worship only You in the kingdom that You are preparing for Your believers. You desire our fellowship, our devotion, and our reliance on You for all our needs as You delight in providing everything we have need of. Thank You for all that You do and allow in my life and in everything that You do. Lead me and guide me in Your will and ways, help me to labor only for the things that give You glory, for I know that as long as I am in You I will be taken care of and even receive much more than I imagine. I love You Lord, and pray this in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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