August 3 - Zephaniah 2:8-3:20 | 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 | 2 Kings 23:29-30 | 

Jeremiah 47:1-48:47

Good morning everyone,

This morning we are going to take a look at Zephaniah the prophet. Now, how many of you even knew there was a book in the Bible called Zephaniah? Ha, ha, though I have been aware of the book many, many years now, I will confess, there was a time when I was active in church, attending twice a week, doing a Women’s Bible study and also daily devotions and was very surprised (though I disguised it well) to learn there was such a book in the Bible. I totally would have lost a trivia question on that, if asked. Nevertheless, there is, in fact, the book of Zephaniah and perhaps it is not talked about often because of the message it carries.

Zephaniah was believed to be a person of considerable social standings in Judah, He was a fourth generation descendent of king Hezekiah, making him cousin to the reining king Josiah, allowing him considerable access to the throne. Right? He prophesied during the same time Jeremiah and same people Jeremiah did but their technique was so different. It is said that while Jeremiah was weeping while prophesying, Zephaniah was wielding a hammer, a hell fire and brimstone approach. God is so good, allowing every personality to be reached and relate to what is being taught in an effort to save all who want to be saved. Zephaniah most certainly was familiar of the writings of Isaiah and Amos as his phrasing is thought to be like theirs. 

So, while Babylon is pressing, their heavy breath can be felt on the necks of Judah as they prepare to pounce and destroy, Zephaniah speaks specifically to the coming destruction of Jerusalem his message though is also one of the future, a seven year period of time when God will once again pour out his wrath upon a world who rejects the King of Kings, a sinful people who turn their backs on Yahweh, rejecting His offer of salvation.

Friends, we need to be attending churches that are ready to teach us the truth of what the Bible says. Too many “churches” today do not want to offend anyone for fear their attendance will go down thus taking with it any tithes they may have offered; so they will skip over the truths of hell, neglecting to tell you, to tell me that hell is a very real place where those who do not submit to the Lord, who do not ask Jesus to be their personal Savior will spend all of eternity, after leaving earth. John 3:3 says, “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 

These same churches will say homosexuality is okay, however, the Bible clearly condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” These churches will also overlook adultery and living in a sexual relationship out side of marriage, according to the Bible, this is not okay either. Neither is being a drunkard or someone who cheats or a thief. According to the Bible none of these sort of people will get into heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” These are not my words friends but those of God, they are straight out of the Bible. God said it, I believe it! Do you?

Matthew 7:21-23 says, ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” If you are not now, I would encourage you to find yourself a church where a Jeremiah or a Zephaniah is teaching you the truth of what God has to say. Literally your life depends on it. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …