On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Zephaniah 3:20*)
Biblical Truth & Life Application
The name "Zephaniah" means the Lord hides, not He himself hides but he protects and keeps His people, which is evident throughout this prophecy, regarding the "remnant" that is protected in the "Day of the Lord". But what is this "Day of the Lord"? One of the clearest definitions is found in Zephaniah: “That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes— a day of bitter tears, a day when even strong men will cry out. It will be a day when the Lord’s anger is poured out— a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet calls and battle cries. Down go the walled cities and the strongest battlements! “Because you have sinned against the Lord, I will make you grope around like the blind. Your blood will be poured into the dust, and your bodies will lie rotting on the ground.” Your silver and gold will not save you on that day of the Lord’s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth. (Zephaniah 1:14-18*; Zephaniah 1)
God has the Apostle Peter explain more of this Day also and when it will occur: I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. [Genesis 7] And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.[Revelations 20] But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. [Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32]
Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. [Revelations 21-22] And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. (II Peter 3:2-15*)
As is the theme throughout most of the prophets, God will judge the wickedness of mankind, and He will destroy evil from the earth and all who don't believe in Him: This is the boisterous city, once so secure. “I am the greatest!” it boasted. “No other city can compare with me!” But now, look how it has become an utter ruin, a haven for wild animals. Everyone passing by will laugh in derision and shake a defiant fist. (Zephaniah 2:15; Zephaniah 2) But God will be merciful to "His people", not just the remnant of the Jews, but all of us who believe in Him: “Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the Lord together. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.” “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more. And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. (Zephaniah 3:9, 13, 18-19*; Zepaniah 3)
God desires all men to be saved, as is record in the above scripture from II Peter, and also in I Timothy: [God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4) But not all will believe and be saved, even some of the people who are closest to us. Just rest assured, as Christ said: And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved! (Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13)
*New Living Translation
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