Zeph. 1:14-2:7, 3:13-17, The Great Day of the LORD

Let’s use the prophecy of Zephaniah to lay out for us the basic approach of the prophets to the “Day of the LORD.”  My understanding is that the DOL is a time when God sets things straight.  There were different times referred to as the DOL, including the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and that of the Romans in 70AD.  These all anticipated a coming DOL that will result in the Messianic reign. 

Zephaniah gives us a typical description of that Day.  He is first talking about the coming of the Babylonians (Zephaniah prophesies in the reign of Josiah), but concludes with the reign of “The King of Israel, the LORD.”  The basic aspects of the DOL are seen in the outline of Zephaniah.

·       1:1-18: Judgment begins at the house of God, as Peter put it.  Israel is judged for her sins, especially the idolatry.

·       2:1-2: Then there is a call to Israel to repent.

·       2:3-15: God then judges the nations around Israel that cause her the most trouble.  Zephaniah has in mind what God did through Nebuchadnezzar.

·       3:1-7: Zephaniah speaks again of the woe upon Israel because of the pride of her leaders.  But them the LORD says …

·       3:8-13: “Wait for Me.”  This calls for patience until the time of the salvation of the remnant.  This has taken us to the latter days.  The purpose of the DOL is not completely fulfilled until the DOL of the latter days.

·       3:14-20: That future DOL will usher in the reign of the Messiah.  “The King of Israel, the LORD” will rule. 

Zephaniah gives us another “model” of the DOL in the third chapter.  This explanation revolves around references as to what will be “in the midst” of Israel, and especially Jerusalem.

·       3:3: In her midst the leaders are as roaring lions and ravenous wolves.  These are days of evil when the shepherds of Israel lead Israel for their own lusts.

·       3:5: In her midst the LORD is righteous.  He is never wrong in the way He deals with His people Israel.

·       3:11: The LORD takes away the evil in her midst.  This is the day of salvation.

·       3:15: The King of Israel, the LORD will be in her midst.  This is the time of Messiah.

·       3:17: The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save: He will rejoice over you with goodness.  He will quiet you with His love.  He will rejoice over you with singing.

As you read through the OT prophets, this is the pattern you will see in their frequent references to the DOL.  I would suggest we also have this in mind as you read 1 Thess. 5 and 2 Thess. 2.  It is the same Day.