To John and All:

INDEED, the consideration of the decree in the Knesset of the pullout from Gaza is a sign from the Lord, written in the scriptures in Zeph. 2:1-4, as a warning of the closeness of the impending Day of the Lord's anger.  The Lord led me to share this at a bible study in October 2004.  The christian response to this warning is given in Zeph. 2:3 (this correlates with Luke 21:36).  A beautiful and brief summation by Traci (with full permission from the author to be used by all who which to copy it) follows on Zephaniah which was written in early January 2005.  Zephaniah has been hi-lited by the Holy Spirit on the listening hearts of some of his saints these past 7 months.

Cal

The Message of Zephaniah
Tracie Hall
Jan 10, 2005
(To Those Who Have Ears, Let Him Hear...)

The trumpet of the Lord is sounding even louder. Where spiritual discernment abounds in the spiritual ears of those who inquire of the Lord, the message He gives is resoundingly clear; the day of His wrath is soon approaching. God's day is at hand; and there are many who are not listening to the warning given. This day is soon to come upon us; a day in which God will greatly intervene in human affairs. Sin must clearly be punished or God wouldn't be just. Secure and careless people will be dealt with. They are secure in the sense that they say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil; that is, they deny both his administration of rewards and punishments. But in the day of the Lord's judgment, it will become clear that those who perish, will fall a sacrifice to Divine justice for breaking God's law, and because they have no interest by faith in the Christ Jesus' atoning sacrifice.

This day of the Lord is very near; it is a day of God's wrath, wrath to the utmost. It will be a day of trouble and distress to sinners and hypocrites who profess to know God and yet in their hearts serve Satan. It is not be wise for them to try the patience of God. What is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? And what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Let us flee from the wrath to come, and choose the good part that shall never be taken from us; then we shall be prepared for every event; nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is also a warning to the nations who have rejected God, that have no desire toward Him, is not desirous of his favor and grace, and has no mind to repent and reform. On the day of God's coming wrath He will justly say, Depart from me. However it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to the saving knowledge of God through Christ Jesus. He is saying to the elect church, "Seek the Lord all ye meek of the earth which have wrought his judgment, seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be that you shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger (Zeph. 2:3)."

To those who would inquire of the Lord and turn to Him with a repentant heart, they are the ones that are ever humble and dependant on Him; not trusting in themselves or their possessions; and He has promised to save them from this day. They will be hidden safely in Him on the day of His wrath. God has said that He will restore their fortunes (Zeph. 2:7), eliminate their enemies (Zeph. 3:8), increase their territory (Zeph. 1:13; 2:7,9) give them peace (Zeph. 3:12) bring them salvation (Zeph. 3:14-20).

God's people will be righteous in our treatment of one another, loving one another as we truly love God, and are drawn to Him by that love in Christ Jesus.

We know what God's decree will bring against impenitent sinners, therefore it highly concerns all to repent in the accepted time. How careful should we all be to seek peace with God, before the Holy Spirit withdraws from us, or ceases to strive with us; before the day of grace is over, or our lives; before our everlasting state is determined! Let the poor, despised, and afflicted, seek the Lord, and seek to understand and keep his commandments better, that they may be more humbled for their sins. The foremost hope of deliverance from national judgments rests on the hinges of prayer.

Remember, God is full of gentleness (Zeph. 2:7, 3:17), joy (Zeph. 3:17), and grace (Zeph. 3:9-20), but He is also a God of justice (Zeph. 1:8,9; Zeph. 1:15, 18).

We must trust God to work out His plan in these coming days, and:

Seek Him through a close and intimate relationship with Him. Truly know Him as the Father He is to the righteous in Christ Jesus. (Zeph. 2:3) Be meek and humble in heart and die to selfish desires. (Zeph. 2:3b) Simply stand, and wait on the Lord to carry out His restoration of righteousness through justice, and be sure that you are among the righteous. (Zeph. 3:8) Pray and intercede for the elect of God continuously.