Our Blessed Hope

Temple Baptist Church - 1-24-2010

Zephaniah 3:1-20

Introduction:

A. The Book of Zephaniah’s central theme is “The Day of the Lord.” I will naot take the time to deal with the entire book but will give a quick overview of it.

1. Chapter 1 speaks of the impending judgment of God upon the earth. (Vs. 2, 14)

2. Chapter 2 speaks of the ingathering of the nation of Israel in the end time. (Vs. 1)

3. Chapter 3:1-7 speaks of the condition of the “oppressing city” and prophesies of the general condition of the world in the end time.

4. Chapter 3:8-13 speaks of a remnant that will be saved during the end time and admonishes them to “wait.” (Vs. 8, 13)

B. Those of us who are saved understand the times because of the biblical prophecies that deal with the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His Church.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (While the world quakes and sinners spiritually sleep, we look to the skies for redemption draweth nigh!)

C. There are both expectancy and excitement in the air:

1. Expectancy - Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (I expect Him to come today! I am praying, looking, and waiting!)
2. Excitement - Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (His coming is our Blessed Hope!)
d. Why did the Holy Ghost used the phrase “that blessed hope?” I believe that the last few verses of Zephaniah chapter 3 give a detailed explaination. Let us look at these verses for a few minutes.

1. Fullness Of Joy Will Be Restored – vs. 14 – “Sing…rejoice with all the heart” Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

2. The Earth’s Curse Removed – vs. 15 – “taken away thy judgments” Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

3. No More Satan – vs. 15 – “cast out thine enemy” Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

4. All Sin Will Be Removed – vs. 15 – “thou shalt not see evil any more” Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

5. There Will Be No More Fears – vs. 16 – “Fear thou not” Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

6. No More Trials To Suffer – vs. 17 – “the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty” 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

7. No More Loneliness – vs. 17 – “he will rejoice…rest in his love…joy over thee” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

8. No More Sorrows – vs. 18 – “I will gather them that are sorrowful” Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

9. No More Shame – vs. 19 – “l will undo…I will save…I will get them” – Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

10. No More Defeats – vs. 20 – “turn back your captivity” Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.