The Day of the Lord: The Judgment & Hope of the World

The Day of the Lord: The Judgment and Hope of the World (Zephaniah)
Introduction: A review of the minor prophets

Exposition

1. The Day of the Lord (1:2-2:3): It's coming for all the:
   (a) Idolaters (1:4-5a)
   (b) Pluralists (5b)
   (c) Apostates (6a)
   (d) Indifferent (6b)
   (e) Iniquitous (9)
   (f) Complacent (1:12)
   Therefore, repent (2:1-3)

2. Oracles of Judgment against all Nations (2:4-3:8)
   (a) Crete and Canaan (2:4-7)
   (b) Moab and Ammon (2:8-11)
   (c) Ethiopia and Assyria (2:12-15)
   (d) And. Judah (3:1-8)

3. Oracles of Salvation for all Nations (3:9-20)
   (a) All nations will call upon the Lord and serve Him together (3:9)
   (b) The ends of the earth shall worship before Him (3:10)
   (c) Shame and pride will be replaced by meekness, humility, and trust in God (3:11-12)
   (d) Wickedness and lies will be replaced with safety and singing (3:13-14)
   (e) The Lord will join the song and bless his people (3:15-17)
   (f) The seven-fold promise of "I Will" (3:18-20)

Doctrine: Two sinful philosophies in our world: pluralism and secularism

Application: The parable of the tares (Matt 13:38-43)
"The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night... Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (2 Peter 3:9-15, see 1Thess 5:2-11).