Zephaniah 3:9-20

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Future Blessings of the Lord's Kingdom Earth

What is the theme of the book of Zephaniah?
Name the two aspects of this theme.
In reference to this theme, there is a time of judgment and another time. What is this time?
When is the time of judgment?
When is the other time?
What is the subject of Zephaniah 3:8?
What is the Millennium? When will it take place?
Look at to Zephaniah 3:9. What is meant by “a pure language”?

The day of the Lord.
There is an historical aspect to the day of the Lord as well as a future (eschatological) aspect to the day of the Lord.
A time of blessing.
The time of judgment is the coming Tribulation Period.
The time of blessing is the coming Kingdom of Christ on this earth.
The Battle of Armageddon which ends the coming Tribulation Period, the time of God’s wrath on this earth.
The Millennium is the coming Kingdom of our Lord on this earth. This Kingdom is known as the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, because it will last for 1,000 years. See Revelation 20:6.
There will no longer be defiled speech.

After the judgments of the Tribulation Period, “then” (Zephaniah 3:9) the Lord will restore the nations. They will be composed of all the believers coming out of the Tribulation Period. They will be restored both morally and spiritually. Worshipers from around the world will come to the New Jerusalem to worship the Lord. Read about this in Zephaniah 3:10; Isaiah 66:18; and Psalm 68:31.
The people coming up to the New Jerusalem during the Millennial Kingdom will include the Jewish believers who were scattered among the nations. Just think about the rejoicing of Israel after a long history of fear, disasters, and persecution. Why will Israel rejoice? Because Jesus Christ, the Lord Himself will be in the midst of Israel, God’s chosen people. Read about this Romans 11:25-27. There will be blessing on the remnant of Israel!
The regathering of Israel, described in Zephaniah 3:10-17 is not to be spiritualized to mean people becoming Christians and being gathered into the Church today. Instead, it refers to the Jewish people being gathered back to the land of Israel. See 2 Timothy 2:15.

Let’s not forget the other meaning of the joy of the Lord. There are two meanings in this phrase – the joy that the Lord gives us and the joy that we give to the Lord. Review daily the joy that the Lord gives to you. Don’t mix up joy and happiness. There are times when we’re not happy, but we can still have the joy of the Lord because we know that He is in control of all circumstances. In fact, it’s the joy of the Lord that can keep us going when times are tough. See Nehemiah 8:10. Do you have the joy of the Lord? As believers, we can bring joy to the heart of the Lord as we worship Him and serve Him. That’s the joy in view in Zephaniah 3:17. Although in this context it refers to the joy of the Lord when His people Israel return to Him, it has application for us today. What are you doing to bring joy to the heart of the Lord?

“ …then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord. ” - Zephaniah 3:9
“ I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. ” - Zephaniah 3:12
“ Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. ” - Zephaniah 3:14
“ The Lord your God is in your midst. The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. ” - Zephaniah 3:17