Zephaniah 1:14-18

The day of the Lord described -- Zephaniah 1:14-18: The prophet wrote, "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly." God gave the people warning, but they continued in their rebellion. Zephaniah described the terrible day of the Lord telling the people that it would be a day of wrath or anger and a day of trouble and torment. There would be disaster and destruction. It would be a time of darkness and despair. There would be storm clouds and shadows. The fulfillment of this prediction is seen in 2 Kings 24 and 25. It was a time of terrible destruction. The trumpet would sound forth the battle cry but the fortified cities and the mighty fortresses would fall. Sin brings punishment and humiliation. This distress was being brought upon them "because they have sinned against the Lord." Without allowing God to be in control men walk in the perplexing doubt of uncertainty. These people would literally have their blood poured out by the sword of their enemies. At times an invading army might be stopped by the offer of money. But the Lord said, "Not even your silver or gold can save you on that day when I, the Lord, am angry." God would use the Babylonians to make a "speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31)