The War Before the Day of the Lord
Nov 27, 2012 9:06:41 GMT -5
Post by popcorn on Nov 27, 2012 9:06:41 GMT -5
The War Before the Day of the Lord ;D
on Thursday, November 22, 2012 by Bill Salus
Zephaniah predicts a war that comes before the Day of the Lord. He appeals to the meek of the earth to understand that this war signals that the seven-year Tribulational Period draws near. In essence, the prophet issues a call to caution to all the meek of the earth.
Seek the LORD, all you meek of the Earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger. (Zephaniah 2:3 NKJV).
Zephaniah delivers a powerful message to the “meek of the Earth.” This message has application for those residing on the planet now and from this point forward. In his second chapter, he commands the world population to be cognizant of, and to direct their lives in accordance with, three specific powerful prophetic events.
1. The return of the Jewish people into Israel
2. The restoration of their fortunes as the Client Nation
3. The Day of the LORD
In addition to this important message to the meek of the Earth, Zephaniah dedicates a major portion of his chapter toward activities that will occur at the time of the Israeli Conquest over the Psalm 83 confederated Arab armies. He alludes to Jewish victories over the Palestinians and Jordanians. These two contemporary groups are generally, but not exclusively, comprised of the descendant peoples from Philistia, Moab, Ammon, and Edom.
These four historical ethnicities are enlisted in the Psalm 83:5–8 Arab confederacy, destined to attack Israel. Zephaniah foretells a time when the peoples of Philistia, Moab, and Ammon, i.e., the modern-day Palestinians and the Jordanians will be found guilty of homesteading the Holy Land. Their borders presently penetrate the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and border the Golan Heights, which scripture tells us will ultimately be territories deeded to the Jewish people. Since the restoration of Jewish fortunes includes enlarged real estate holdings, this border encroachment presents a major obstacle to the conversion of the Holy Land into Jewish sovereignty.
Zephaniah sets the stage as follows: The Jews return into the land of Israel and conquer the Arab alliance represented in part by the Palestinians and Jordanians. As a result, Israeli fortunes are greatly enhanced as they come into possession of the plunder and spoils of war. In the process, Allah is greatly reduced as a god figure, and Islam is severely affected. Then Zephaniah appears to allude to the advance against the then regionally superior Israel by the Russian confederacy spoken of in Chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel, which is commonly referred to as the Magog Alliance.
Lastly, he declares that these events occur before the day of the LORD arrives, which is the period most associated with the expiration date of the Earth in its present condition of existence, i.e., the Tribulation Period. He prophesies all of the above for the primary purpose of invoking the “meek of the Earth” into the worship of God.
1. The Return of the Jewish People into Israel
“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation!” (Zeph. 2:1 NKJV).
Zephaniah introduces the second chapter of his book by pointing the world’s attention toward the return of the Jewish people into their ancient homeland of Israel. The verse quoted above could be considered his headline as it sets the stage for the all-important call to caution message he is about to deliver.
In essence, he describes the heavily prophesied repopulation of the Jewish people back into the land of Israel. Furthermore foretold in his headline is their national spiritual condition at the time of their return. He uses the Hebrew words lo kasaph for “undesirable” or “shameless.” These words might also be translated as “without longing.” It portrays the Jewish people returning to their ancient homeland void of the appropriate spiritual attitude that should accompany their return.
The first biblical use of the word kasaph is found in the following passage:
“And now you have surely gone because you greatly long [kasaph] for your father’s house” (Gen. 31:30a, NKJV).
In this first usage of kasaph, Jacob, the father of Israel greatly longs to return to the house of his father Isaac. This house was in the land of Canaan. Conversely, though the world witnesses the return of the Jewish people back into Israel, which was the place of their patriarchal father Jacob’s house, they are lo, or without the same great longing.
Certainly, by the time of the rebirth of the nation Israel in 1948, the Jewish people found themselves in desperate need of their ancient homeland, but their disposition differed greatly from that of Jacob’s. Jacob was in fellowship with the God of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. He believed in the promises covenanted through them. Whereas Jacob was in a condition of belief at the time of his return to the Promised Land, the Jewish people today are generally gathering in unbelief.
Not only are the Jewish people returning without belief in Him, whom the Christians believe to be the Messiah, Jesus Christ, they are also void of the same effective faith as was characterized by their patriarchal father Jacob upon his return into the land of Canaan. The reason they lack the similar kasaph of Jacob is that they are returning without the similar “faith” of Jacob.
Zephaniah banners this newsworthy information for all of the generations of men and women that find themselves present upon the Earth during that period when God orchestrates the return of the unbelieving Jew back into the land of ancient Israel. Undeniably, the rebirth of the nation Israel should be the number-one attention getter of the world since its inception in 1948. Zephaniah speaks to you and me who reside in that time, as well as our descendant generations to follow until the return of Christ at His Second Coming!
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:7c RSV; emphasis added).
Not only will the world witness their return, but also the restoration of their status as the client nation of God, the infamous “My people Israel.” Zephaniah 2:4–12 gives some detail into the means through which their fortunes are restored and they become empowered once again as the holy people.
Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you! (Zeph. 2:2 NKJV).
Furthermore, these three Zephaniah passages quoted at the onset of this study pronounce the return of the Jew into the land of Israel and the subsequent restoration of fortunes all to occur before “the day of the LORD.” “The day of the LORD” is considered by most scholars to eventuate either throughout the seven-year Tribulation Period, or during the span of the second 3.5 years of that same period (often referred to as the “Great Tribulation”). This seven-year tribulation is scheduled to be the last seven years on our present Earth’s timeline, then followed by the thousand-year Messianic Kingdom period. As Zephaniah declares, “the day of the LORD” is characterized by the outpouring of God’s fierce anger and wrath upon the planet, targeted at its unsaved population.
The stage is now set for this study, which will serve to outline the details that Zephaniah chapter two determines to be important for the “meek of the Earth” to discern. His message cautions them to seek the LORD as they witness the events described in this all-important chapter. Due to the catastrophic circumstances that occur during the day of the LORD, Zephaniah pleads with them that they might do what it takes to be hidden from the events of the day of the LORD.
2. The Restoration of Their Fortunes
Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name.” (Ezek. 39:25 RSV; emphasis added).
I will multiply upon you [Israel] man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. (Ezek. 36:11 NKJV; emphasis added).
Included with the return of the Jewish people to their homeland is the restoration of their fortunes. This is an important area of Bible prophecy not to be overlooked. Zephaniah, in his call to caution, causes the meek of the Earth to consider carefully this important episode. When they witness Israel empowered, they are to recognize that the time to take action and be hidden from the day of the LORD is running out.
At some point Israel will indeed enter into a period of prosperity, which far exceeds their present holdings of national wealth. As a nation, they will become the benefactor of vast amounts of booty and plunder, the spoils of war, which come to them as conquerors over the surrounding Arab nations enlisted in the Psalm 83:1–8 confederacy. They will expand their borders, meaning their real estate portfolio will be greatly enhanced, and they will acquire livestock, silver, gold, and other forms of booty in large quantities.
We are informed in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 that when Israel finds itself as a nation residing in such a prosperous condition that a large confederate effort spearheaded by Russia and Iran will form against them. In Ezekiel 38:10–13 Israel is identified as “the quiet people who live in safety, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates.” They are a “people who were gathered from the nations, who are acquiring cattle and goods.” They are in possession of “plunder,” “silver and gold,” “cattle and goods,” and “a great amount of booty.” All of these are Old Testament terms for identifying a condition of peace and prosperity. The use of the terms plunder and a great amount of booty emphasizes wealth obtained through the spoils of war.
Therefore when Zephaniah tells us in verse 2:7c that “the LORD their God will be mindful of them (The Jewish People) and restore their fortunes,” we are to find further association with the events described in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39.
I will display my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed [on the Russian-Iranian confederacy], and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward. And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity [worldwide dispersion which began in AD 70 and concluded in 1948] for their iniquity, because they dealt treacherously with me. So I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. (Ezek. 39:21–25 NRSV; emphasis added).
The Russian confederate advance is defeated, and Israel’s fortunes are further restored. In the process the “glory” of God is displayed among the nations, and Israel comes into a greater reverence of the God of Moses. Ultimately, that “glory” which was long ago shown to Moses in Exodus 33:18–23 is again put on display.
In both instances, Jewish history and Jewish future, the glory of God finds association with the proclamation of the name of the LORD, and the bestowal of mercy to him, whom the LORD chooses. This indeed occurred at the time of Moses, the glory of God was accompanied by the proclamation of the name of the LORD, and the declaration that God would shower mercy on whom He chooses, which in the case of Moses primarily referred to the client nation of Israel.
At the future display of the glory of God as described by Ezekiel to occur at the judgment of the Russian confederacy, the same results occur to the benefit of the Jewish people. Mercy is granted to the whole house of Israel as their fortunes are further restored, and the upholding of the holy name of the LORD is also accomplished. God has chosen the defeat of the Russian confederacy as the specific episode through which to uphold His Holy Name.
The point of importance is that alongside the upholding by God of His Holy Name is the extension of His mercy upon the whole house of Israel. The whole house of Israel most likely refers to the entirety of the Jewish ethnicity present on Earth at that time, whether they be in a condition of belief (kasaph kasaph), or unbelief (lo kasaph). As a nation, they will again be thoroughly recognized as the client nation “My people Israel,” and they will experience the restoration of their fortunes. For the Jewish people it will be as Ezekiel declares:
The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward. (Ezek. 39:22 NRSV; emphasis added).
3. The Day of the LORD
Sometime shortly thereafter, the Jewish leadership will abuse this merciful condition and confirm the false seven-year covenant with the Antichrist, which will issue in the day of the LORD, whereby the LORD exhibits His fierce anger. By recollection, this is what Zephaniah calls to caution to the meek of the Earth. He pleads with them to worship God before the day of His fierce anger arrives.
As mentioned previously, Israel greatly enhances its prosperity via the spoils of war, which result from their conquest over the confederacy of the surrounding Arab nations. Furthermore discussed is that the timing of this conquest over the Arabs occurs prior to the Advance of the Russian confederacy. Both events significantly lend themselves to the restoration of Israel’s fortunes.
“Gaza shall be deserted, and Arab homes evacuated”
After Zephaniah’s introductory call to caution to the “meek of the Earth,” he continues on to introduce the devastating effects that fall upon the Arab confederate members, Philistia, Moab, and Ammon. In so doing, he carries on with his theme that the Jewish people are gathering into the land of Israel, and that in the process their fortunes are being restored. The modern-day equivalent of these Arab groups, are the Palestinians of the Gaza, the Palestinians of the West Bank, and the Jordanians of Northern and Central Jordan.
These specific Arab populations currently present themselves as formidable obstacles to the stretching out territorially of the returning Jews. As we read the words of Zephaniah, it becomes clear that these Arabs are considered trespassers and as such, they will be forcibly evicted before the Day of the LORD arrives. He outlines a series of conditions that will occur because of the Israeli victory over the Palestinians and Jordanians. The reason for this prophetic material is to serve as a “call to caution” to the “meek of the Earth.”
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD’S wrath. For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Ah, inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left. (Zeph. 2:3–5 NRSV; emphasis added).
Zephaniah describes a destruction to come that devastates several cities of ancient Philistia. Philistia is an enlisted member of the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy, which will advance against Israel, but will be destroyed by Israel. Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron were four of the five prominent historical cities, known as the Pentapolis. Zephaniah prophesies of a future time when Gaza will be deserted, Ashkelon desolated, the people of Ashdod driven out, and Ekron uprooted.
The lesson will be for that generation which experiences these four cities residing in those specific conditions that the day of the LORD is to shortly follow. This should cause the “meek of the Earth” to redeem the time and seek righteousness, and humility and to continue to uphold the justice of the LORD. The aim is that they may increase in number and many more might be hidden from the day of the LORD.
Many are the commentaries that suggest prophesies regarding Philistia have already found their final fulfillment, and that the Philistines have become an ethnicity gone extinct. Though it may be difficult today to trace any residue of the ancient Philistines, the territory of Philistia is clearly identified in end-times prophecy through Psalm 83. Therefore, if what Zephaniah declares about these four cities should occur in the present or near future, it would likely find its closest association with the Palestinians of the Gaza area.
By Zephaniah’s ordering of events, we are also caused to conclude that this prophecy regarding the desertion of Gaza, desolating of Ashkelon, driving out of Ashdod, and the uprooting of Ekron, is destined to occur sometime after the commencement of this present Jewish return back into the land of Israel, and yet before the day of the LORD. As such, it seems that this prophecy has yet to find its final fulfillment.
The Gaza of today is a coastal strip of land that the Palestinian Refugees occupy and believe to be part of their heritage. However, long before there were Palestinians or even Philistines, this land was allotted to the tribe of Judah. Historically it was Jewish territory. Presently, it serves in part as a launch site for various types of short-range rockets aimed at Jewish civilian targets in Israel. By no stretch of the imagination is Gaza deserted at the time of the writing of this chapter. Gaza is extending outwardly in an attempt to enlarge its borders.
And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks. The seacoast shall become the possession of the remnant of the house of Judah, on which they shall pasture, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:6–7 NRSV; emphasis added).
We are further told that after Gaza is deserted, Ashkelon desolated, Ashdod driven out Ekron uprooted, and no Palestinian inhabitants reside along the Southwestern seacoast of Israel, that the seacoast will become the possession of the Jewish people. It will be for “pastures, meadows for shepherds, folds for flocks.” The vacated houses of Ashkelon will provide shelter for the shepherds and their flocks.
Presently, Gaza is not deserted; rather, Palestinians occupy it. Ashkelon and Ashdod are modern-day cities under Jewish jurisdiction. Ekron today is known as Tel Miqne, located approximately 23 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It has been the site of numerous noteworthy excavations in recent times, but is not today a city in its scope that is comparable to Gaza, Ashkelon, or Ashdod. Therefore, it will be up to the “meek of the Earth” to constantly observe the events that unfold in these Mediterranean seacoast areas, to see how this prophecy sets up and plays out.
Presently, this area is undergoing a serious “Land for Peace” struggle between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The final frontier as to which group dominates over which territories is likely not yet determined. At some point, however, the prophecy of Zephaniah will take place, Gaza will be deserted, and the houses of Ashkelon will be where the remnant of the house of Judah will lie down at evening time.
“Repossessing Jordan, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank”
Now Zephaniah shifts his attention to the modern-day nation of Jordan. He refers to this territory through the usage of the ancient names of Moab and Ammon. Moab encompassed the land, which was primarily located in Central Jordan, and Ammon was what is now Northern Jordan. Upon the return of the Jew into the Promised Land, the people of Jordan are guilty of two things: they commit anti-Semitic acts against the Jewish people, and they trespass in on the Eastern and Northeastern borders of the traditional tribal territories of Israel.
I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people [Israel] and made boasts against their territory. Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people [Israel] shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them. (Zeph. 2:8–9 NRSV; emphasis added).
Jeremiah the prophet, whose ministry briefly overlapped with Zephaniah’s, also expounds upon this trespassing of the Ammonites into the Jewish tribal territory of Gad. He foretells, as does Zephaniah, of the forcible eviction of the Arabs by the Jews, and the subsequent Israeli repossession of the land in question.
Against the Ammonites. Thus says the LORD: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Milcom inherit Gad, And his people dwell in its cities? Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD. (Jer. 49:1–2 NKJV; emphasis added).
Jeremiah asks the Jordanians; “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir?” The answer is obvious: of course Israel has descendants—they are repopulating the Holy Land in our day! He goes on to ask, then why are Jordanians trespassing in the Holy Land, which long ago was deeded to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, i.e., the twelve sons of Jacob? Gad was one of the twelve sons of Israel.
Therefore, Jeremiah emphasizes the similar point of Zephaniah, that for the Jordanian thievery of the Holy Land, at the time of the return of the Jew back into the land of Israel the Jordanians will come under military conflict. Because of military defeat over the Arab populations that occupy the land in question, Israel will inherit more Promised Land. This fits in fulfillment with the prophecy to restore the fortunes of the Jewish people prior to the “Day of the LORD.”
Once upon a time, Ammon and Moab were legitimately appropriated the territories to the East of the allotted territories of the Twelve Tribes. The Hebrews were taught to respect the territorial divides. However, at present the descendants of Ammon and Moab do not respect the boundaries established of old, and the prophets afore mentioned suggest that the Jordanians and the Palestinians will suffer the curse-for-curse-in-kind consequence contained in the Genesis 12:3 clause of the Abrahamic Covenant for their homesteading of the Holy Land.
Technically speaking, it may be that Golan Heights, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are under the spotlight of the prophetic theater. These territories reside well within the borders of the land formerly possessed by the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Terms like Palestinians, and Jordanians were not available to Zephaniah at the time of his prophetic writings; thus, the “meek of the Earth” must extrapolate the times of their signs as they traverse through these periods of Middle Eastern territorial mayhem.
The point is clear that unintended Arab parties are presently consuming prime property. Real estate in Israel comes at no small price tag, and yet today it is given away hastily to the Arabs in exchange for an illusive peace. There is a seesaw, back-and-forth battle for possession of the Promised Land that has plagued the region and burdened the international community since May 14, 1948, when Israel was restored as the Jewish nation. The Jews generally want to maintain the borders established after the Six-Day War of June 1967, and the Arabs would like to re-establish pre-1948 borders.
Scriptures already included in this study, once again listed below, do not allow for assimilation of the Holy Land into Arab control. A point soon forthcoming will find the Arabs displaced from the territories once allotted to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:7).
“Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD.” (Jer. 49:2).
The remnant of my people [Israel] shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them. (Zeph. 2:9).
These scriptures and many more like them line the prophetic pages of the Bible. The point is clear that God’s plan for the Jewish people will move forward on schedule, and He will restore unto them their fortunes. Part of this portfolio is the precious real estate of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God deeded this land ages ago to Abraham and his descendants.
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the Earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the Earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” (Gen. 13:14–17, NKJV; emphasis added).
The Jews came into realization of much of this land after they had been delivered out of the four-hundred years of captivity in Egypt. Joshua led them in numerous battles as they marched as a people back into the Promised Land, and from a condition of victory, he distributed the land to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war. (Josh. 11:23, NKJV).
Similarly, today the Jews return from hundreds of years of worldwide captivity, and they will retake the same territories and in the process their fortunes will be restored. As it was at the time of Abraham, so it remains today: real estate is a possession deemed to be of great value. A quick query on the Internet regarding the price tag of real estate for sale in Israel today finds many properties priced well over one-million dollars per parcel. However, more than an expensive price tag, real estate provides shelter, productivity, defensibility and more to its possessor. When God says He will be “mindful of them and restore their fortunes,” one must indeed consider real estate as an important part of this national wealth.
The fact remains intact that the land in question is God’s to deed to whom He so chooses, and He has not chosen to bequeath it to the Arabs, who presently seek to seize it from the Jews. After the Jews are finished with the political attempts to resolve the issue, they will ultimately conclude that the land does not belong to the Arabs, but that it is theirs for the taking and that it can only be regained via the means of military conflict. When the “meek of the Earth” experience this magnificent episode, they need to “seek the LORD” with all fervor and redeem the time for the salvation and protection of their loved ones.
“The Shriveling of Islam”
This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they scoffed and boasted against the people of the LORD of hosts [Israel]. The LORD will be terrible against them; he will shrivel all the gods of the Earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the coasts and islands of the nations. (Zeph. 2:10–11 NRSV; emphasis added).
In keeping with the Israeli Conquest over the Palestinians and the Jordanians, two member groups of the Psalm 83:6–8 Arab confederacy, Zephaniah alludes to the shriveling up of their respective gods. In Zephaniah’s day, a defeated people evidenced that their god was unable to deliver them victorious. If a nation, tribe or ethnic group was defeated or destroyed, their god or gods would lose credibility by association. Therefore, the prophet causes the reader to remember that the two go hand-in-hand; a plundered people equaled a shriveled god.
At the time of the writing of this prophecy, the Moabites worshipped the god called Chemosh. The Ammonites worshipped Milcom. When Mohammed, born around AD 570 and the primary founder of the religion of Islam, came onto the scene, the Arabs of the Middle East worshipped many gods. Mohammed cleverly packaged the polytheism that plagued the region and presented the Arabs and the world with the religion of Islam. Though it had the appearance of a monotheistic religion, it incorporated many of the common polytheistic worship practices of the time.
Today, the subject god of Zephaniah’s prophecy is Allah, the god of Islam. All of the other ancient Arab gods of the region were made to give way to the rise of Allah. Therefore, when we are informed that the god of the Palestinians and Jordanians will shrivel up, we are being foretold of the beginning stages of the demise of Islam. Islam is a religion bent on cursing the Jews, and scripture tells us that anyone seeking to curse the Jews will be cursed in retaliation.
We should make the association that Islam is dealt a major blow at the time of the fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy. Islam has grown into a major religion with handcuffing arms well into the international community; therefore, Islam will not likely be eliminated at the time. However, the meek of the Earth will see the shriveling up process of Allah begin as a result of the Israeli conquest over the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy. They should be called to further caution as they begin to see Allah wither.
The Magog confederacy, led by Russia and Iran, which this author suggests sequentially follows the Psalm 83 confederacy, is likewise primarily operative under Islamic influence. The nations enlisted in this grouping are predominately Muslims. This Russian-Iranian confederacy will also experience defeat as hooks are put in its jaws to move against the expanding nation of Israel. Because of the divine defeat of this confederacy, Islam will dramatically diminish in scale. This acknowledgement segues into the next chronologically prophetic passage of Zephaniah regarding Ethiopia.
You Ethiopians also, You shall be slain by My sword. (Zeph. 2:12, NKJV).
In this brief passage, Zephaniah reminds the “meek of the Earth,” not to forget the epic prophetic episode that follows, whereby the Magog (Russian-Iranian) alliance advances against Israel. Ethiopia is enlisted in this confederate group and therefore through association we must consider the possibility that Zephaniah is alluding to this specific prophetic event. This event is thoroughly described by Ezekiel, in the 38th and 39th Chapters of his prophetic book. The point Zephaniah makes is that God will slay Ethiopia with the weapon of His choice, “My sword.” As one studies the divine defeat of the Russian Confederacy described in Ezekiel 39:1–6, they recognize that it is God Who personally delivers Israel from this major assault.
Summary
In conclusion, the time is at hand to consider Zephaniah’s call to caution. At the time of this writing, the reformation of the nation Israel is underway. A strong, wealthy Jewish nation is on the horizon. Don’t be surprised to see the IDF evict the Hamas from ancient Philistia, and the other terrorist entities out of Israel proper. Gaza will soon be deserted, serving as an end-time sign that the day of the LORD’S anger is shortly to follow.
Wherever the place and whenever the time, it is wise to keep a watchful eye on the events revolving around Israel. The LORD desires that the meek of the Earth be duly informed, so that they may get right with Him, in order to be hidden from the disturbing events destined to befall the inhabitants of the Earth during the day of the LORD.
At the request of the LORD, Zephaniah inscribed centuries ago this invaluable prophetic information in Chapter 2 of his book, for you, the “meek of the Earth.” He said that the Jewish people would re-gather in their ancient homeland and that they would do so in a condition of unbelief. Then he describes the Jews overcoming the Palestinians and their Arab cohorts, thereby taking back territory once belonging to their twelve tribal ancestors. This event brings with it a severe blow to the religion of Islam, the religion of the defeated Arabs.
Jewish fortunes are enormously increased and Russia is lured into coming after the great booty of the Israeli-Arab war. Russia forms its own coalition, which includes Iran and Ethiopia, among others, and comes down against Israel from the north to take the spoils. God divinely destroys this Russian-led confederacy. This defeat displays the glory of God and further dismantles the religion of Islam.
All of the above has been foretold by Zephaniah, as well as among other Old Testament Jewish prophets, in order that the “meek of the Earth” would be called to caution as they witnessed the unfolding of these specific events. This select population group, upon witnessing all of the above, can then be certain that the day of the LORD is the next significant prophetic event on the calendar. They are to seek the righteousness of Christ, in order that they may “be hidden, In the day of the LORD’S anger.”
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www.prophecydepot.net/2012/the-war-before-the-day-of-the-lord/
This article was taken from the chapter called, “Zephaniah’s Call to Caution,” in my book entitled, Isralestine, The Ancient Blueprints of the Future Middle East. All the related endnotes are contained inside Isralestine.
on Thursday, November 22, 2012 by Bill Salus
Zephaniah predicts a war that comes before the Day of the Lord. He appeals to the meek of the earth to understand that this war signals that the seven-year Tribulational Period draws near. In essence, the prophet issues a call to caution to all the meek of the earth.
Seek the LORD, all you meek of the Earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger. (Zephaniah 2:3 NKJV).
Zephaniah delivers a powerful message to the “meek of the Earth.” This message has application for those residing on the planet now and from this point forward. In his second chapter, he commands the world population to be cognizant of, and to direct their lives in accordance with, three specific powerful prophetic events.
1. The return of the Jewish people into Israel
2. The restoration of their fortunes as the Client Nation
3. The Day of the LORD
In addition to this important message to the meek of the Earth, Zephaniah dedicates a major portion of his chapter toward activities that will occur at the time of the Israeli Conquest over the Psalm 83 confederated Arab armies. He alludes to Jewish victories over the Palestinians and Jordanians. These two contemporary groups are generally, but not exclusively, comprised of the descendant peoples from Philistia, Moab, Ammon, and Edom.
These four historical ethnicities are enlisted in the Psalm 83:5–8 Arab confederacy, destined to attack Israel. Zephaniah foretells a time when the peoples of Philistia, Moab, and Ammon, i.e., the modern-day Palestinians and the Jordanians will be found guilty of homesteading the Holy Land. Their borders presently penetrate the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and border the Golan Heights, which scripture tells us will ultimately be territories deeded to the Jewish people. Since the restoration of Jewish fortunes includes enlarged real estate holdings, this border encroachment presents a major obstacle to the conversion of the Holy Land into Jewish sovereignty.
Zephaniah sets the stage as follows: The Jews return into the land of Israel and conquer the Arab alliance represented in part by the Palestinians and Jordanians. As a result, Israeli fortunes are greatly enhanced as they come into possession of the plunder and spoils of war. In the process, Allah is greatly reduced as a god figure, and Islam is severely affected. Then Zephaniah appears to allude to the advance against the then regionally superior Israel by the Russian confederacy spoken of in Chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel, which is commonly referred to as the Magog Alliance.
Lastly, he declares that these events occur before the day of the LORD arrives, which is the period most associated with the expiration date of the Earth in its present condition of existence, i.e., the Tribulation Period. He prophesies all of the above for the primary purpose of invoking the “meek of the Earth” into the worship of God.
1. The Return of the Jewish People into Israel
“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation!” (Zeph. 2:1 NKJV).
Zephaniah introduces the second chapter of his book by pointing the world’s attention toward the return of the Jewish people into their ancient homeland of Israel. The verse quoted above could be considered his headline as it sets the stage for the all-important call to caution message he is about to deliver.
In essence, he describes the heavily prophesied repopulation of the Jewish people back into the land of Israel. Furthermore foretold in his headline is their national spiritual condition at the time of their return. He uses the Hebrew words lo kasaph for “undesirable” or “shameless.” These words might also be translated as “without longing.” It portrays the Jewish people returning to their ancient homeland void of the appropriate spiritual attitude that should accompany their return.
The first biblical use of the word kasaph is found in the following passage:
“And now you have surely gone because you greatly long [kasaph] for your father’s house” (Gen. 31:30a, NKJV).
In this first usage of kasaph, Jacob, the father of Israel greatly longs to return to the house of his father Isaac. This house was in the land of Canaan. Conversely, though the world witnesses the return of the Jewish people back into Israel, which was the place of their patriarchal father Jacob’s house, they are lo, or without the same great longing.
Certainly, by the time of the rebirth of the nation Israel in 1948, the Jewish people found themselves in desperate need of their ancient homeland, but their disposition differed greatly from that of Jacob’s. Jacob was in fellowship with the God of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. He believed in the promises covenanted through them. Whereas Jacob was in a condition of belief at the time of his return to the Promised Land, the Jewish people today are generally gathering in unbelief.
Not only are the Jewish people returning without belief in Him, whom the Christians believe to be the Messiah, Jesus Christ, they are also void of the same effective faith as was characterized by their patriarchal father Jacob upon his return into the land of Canaan. The reason they lack the similar kasaph of Jacob is that they are returning without the similar “faith” of Jacob.
Zephaniah banners this newsworthy information for all of the generations of men and women that find themselves present upon the Earth during that period when God orchestrates the return of the unbelieving Jew back into the land of ancient Israel. Undeniably, the rebirth of the nation Israel should be the number-one attention getter of the world since its inception in 1948. Zephaniah speaks to you and me who reside in that time, as well as our descendant generations to follow until the return of Christ at His Second Coming!
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:7c RSV; emphasis added).
Not only will the world witness their return, but also the restoration of their status as the client nation of God, the infamous “My people Israel.” Zephaniah 2:4–12 gives some detail into the means through which their fortunes are restored and they become empowered once again as the holy people.
Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you! (Zeph. 2:2 NKJV).
Furthermore, these three Zephaniah passages quoted at the onset of this study pronounce the return of the Jew into the land of Israel and the subsequent restoration of fortunes all to occur before “the day of the LORD.” “The day of the LORD” is considered by most scholars to eventuate either throughout the seven-year Tribulation Period, or during the span of the second 3.5 years of that same period (often referred to as the “Great Tribulation”). This seven-year tribulation is scheduled to be the last seven years on our present Earth’s timeline, then followed by the thousand-year Messianic Kingdom period. As Zephaniah declares, “the day of the LORD” is characterized by the outpouring of God’s fierce anger and wrath upon the planet, targeted at its unsaved population.
The stage is now set for this study, which will serve to outline the details that Zephaniah chapter two determines to be important for the “meek of the Earth” to discern. His message cautions them to seek the LORD as they witness the events described in this all-important chapter. Due to the catastrophic circumstances that occur during the day of the LORD, Zephaniah pleads with them that they might do what it takes to be hidden from the events of the day of the LORD.
2. The Restoration of Their Fortunes
Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name.” (Ezek. 39:25 RSV; emphasis added).
I will multiply upon you [Israel] man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. (Ezek. 36:11 NKJV; emphasis added).
Included with the return of the Jewish people to their homeland is the restoration of their fortunes. This is an important area of Bible prophecy not to be overlooked. Zephaniah, in his call to caution, causes the meek of the Earth to consider carefully this important episode. When they witness Israel empowered, they are to recognize that the time to take action and be hidden from the day of the LORD is running out.
At some point Israel will indeed enter into a period of prosperity, which far exceeds their present holdings of national wealth. As a nation, they will become the benefactor of vast amounts of booty and plunder, the spoils of war, which come to them as conquerors over the surrounding Arab nations enlisted in the Psalm 83:1–8 confederacy. They will expand their borders, meaning their real estate portfolio will be greatly enhanced, and they will acquire livestock, silver, gold, and other forms of booty in large quantities.
We are informed in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 that when Israel finds itself as a nation residing in such a prosperous condition that a large confederate effort spearheaded by Russia and Iran will form against them. In Ezekiel 38:10–13 Israel is identified as “the quiet people who live in safety, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates.” They are a “people who were gathered from the nations, who are acquiring cattle and goods.” They are in possession of “plunder,” “silver and gold,” “cattle and goods,” and “a great amount of booty.” All of these are Old Testament terms for identifying a condition of peace and prosperity. The use of the terms plunder and a great amount of booty emphasizes wealth obtained through the spoils of war.
Therefore when Zephaniah tells us in verse 2:7c that “the LORD their God will be mindful of them (The Jewish People) and restore their fortunes,” we are to find further association with the events described in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39.
I will display my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed [on the Russian-Iranian confederacy], and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward. And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity [worldwide dispersion which began in AD 70 and concluded in 1948] for their iniquity, because they dealt treacherously with me. So I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. (Ezek. 39:21–25 NRSV; emphasis added).
The Russian confederate advance is defeated, and Israel’s fortunes are further restored. In the process the “glory” of God is displayed among the nations, and Israel comes into a greater reverence of the God of Moses. Ultimately, that “glory” which was long ago shown to Moses in Exodus 33:18–23 is again put on display.
In both instances, Jewish history and Jewish future, the glory of God finds association with the proclamation of the name of the LORD, and the bestowal of mercy to him, whom the LORD chooses. This indeed occurred at the time of Moses, the glory of God was accompanied by the proclamation of the name of the LORD, and the declaration that God would shower mercy on whom He chooses, which in the case of Moses primarily referred to the client nation of Israel.
At the future display of the glory of God as described by Ezekiel to occur at the judgment of the Russian confederacy, the same results occur to the benefit of the Jewish people. Mercy is granted to the whole house of Israel as their fortunes are further restored, and the upholding of the holy name of the LORD is also accomplished. God has chosen the defeat of the Russian confederacy as the specific episode through which to uphold His Holy Name.
The point of importance is that alongside the upholding by God of His Holy Name is the extension of His mercy upon the whole house of Israel. The whole house of Israel most likely refers to the entirety of the Jewish ethnicity present on Earth at that time, whether they be in a condition of belief (kasaph kasaph), or unbelief (lo kasaph). As a nation, they will again be thoroughly recognized as the client nation “My people Israel,” and they will experience the restoration of their fortunes. For the Jewish people it will be as Ezekiel declares:
The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward. (Ezek. 39:22 NRSV; emphasis added).
3. The Day of the LORD
Sometime shortly thereafter, the Jewish leadership will abuse this merciful condition and confirm the false seven-year covenant with the Antichrist, which will issue in the day of the LORD, whereby the LORD exhibits His fierce anger. By recollection, this is what Zephaniah calls to caution to the meek of the Earth. He pleads with them to worship God before the day of His fierce anger arrives.
As mentioned previously, Israel greatly enhances its prosperity via the spoils of war, which result from their conquest over the confederacy of the surrounding Arab nations. Furthermore discussed is that the timing of this conquest over the Arabs occurs prior to the Advance of the Russian confederacy. Both events significantly lend themselves to the restoration of Israel’s fortunes.
“Gaza shall be deserted, and Arab homes evacuated”
After Zephaniah’s introductory call to caution to the “meek of the Earth,” he continues on to introduce the devastating effects that fall upon the Arab confederate members, Philistia, Moab, and Ammon. In so doing, he carries on with his theme that the Jewish people are gathering into the land of Israel, and that in the process their fortunes are being restored. The modern-day equivalent of these Arab groups, are the Palestinians of the Gaza, the Palestinians of the West Bank, and the Jordanians of Northern and Central Jordan.
These specific Arab populations currently present themselves as formidable obstacles to the stretching out territorially of the returning Jews. As we read the words of Zephaniah, it becomes clear that these Arabs are considered trespassers and as such, they will be forcibly evicted before the Day of the LORD arrives. He outlines a series of conditions that will occur because of the Israeli victory over the Palestinians and Jordanians. The reason for this prophetic material is to serve as a “call to caution” to the “meek of the Earth.”
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD’S wrath. For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Ah, inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left. (Zeph. 2:3–5 NRSV; emphasis added).
Zephaniah describes a destruction to come that devastates several cities of ancient Philistia. Philistia is an enlisted member of the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy, which will advance against Israel, but will be destroyed by Israel. Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron were four of the five prominent historical cities, known as the Pentapolis. Zephaniah prophesies of a future time when Gaza will be deserted, Ashkelon desolated, the people of Ashdod driven out, and Ekron uprooted.
The lesson will be for that generation which experiences these four cities residing in those specific conditions that the day of the LORD is to shortly follow. This should cause the “meek of the Earth” to redeem the time and seek righteousness, and humility and to continue to uphold the justice of the LORD. The aim is that they may increase in number and many more might be hidden from the day of the LORD.
Many are the commentaries that suggest prophesies regarding Philistia have already found their final fulfillment, and that the Philistines have become an ethnicity gone extinct. Though it may be difficult today to trace any residue of the ancient Philistines, the territory of Philistia is clearly identified in end-times prophecy through Psalm 83. Therefore, if what Zephaniah declares about these four cities should occur in the present or near future, it would likely find its closest association with the Palestinians of the Gaza area.
By Zephaniah’s ordering of events, we are also caused to conclude that this prophecy regarding the desertion of Gaza, desolating of Ashkelon, driving out of Ashdod, and the uprooting of Ekron, is destined to occur sometime after the commencement of this present Jewish return back into the land of Israel, and yet before the day of the LORD. As such, it seems that this prophecy has yet to find its final fulfillment.
The Gaza of today is a coastal strip of land that the Palestinian Refugees occupy and believe to be part of their heritage. However, long before there were Palestinians or even Philistines, this land was allotted to the tribe of Judah. Historically it was Jewish territory. Presently, it serves in part as a launch site for various types of short-range rockets aimed at Jewish civilian targets in Israel. By no stretch of the imagination is Gaza deserted at the time of the writing of this chapter. Gaza is extending outwardly in an attempt to enlarge its borders.
And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks. The seacoast shall become the possession of the remnant of the house of Judah, on which they shall pasture, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:6–7 NRSV; emphasis added).
We are further told that after Gaza is deserted, Ashkelon desolated, Ashdod driven out Ekron uprooted, and no Palestinian inhabitants reside along the Southwestern seacoast of Israel, that the seacoast will become the possession of the Jewish people. It will be for “pastures, meadows for shepherds, folds for flocks.” The vacated houses of Ashkelon will provide shelter for the shepherds and their flocks.
Presently, Gaza is not deserted; rather, Palestinians occupy it. Ashkelon and Ashdod are modern-day cities under Jewish jurisdiction. Ekron today is known as Tel Miqne, located approximately 23 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It has been the site of numerous noteworthy excavations in recent times, but is not today a city in its scope that is comparable to Gaza, Ashkelon, or Ashdod. Therefore, it will be up to the “meek of the Earth” to constantly observe the events that unfold in these Mediterranean seacoast areas, to see how this prophecy sets up and plays out.
Presently, this area is undergoing a serious “Land for Peace” struggle between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The final frontier as to which group dominates over which territories is likely not yet determined. At some point, however, the prophecy of Zephaniah will take place, Gaza will be deserted, and the houses of Ashkelon will be where the remnant of the house of Judah will lie down at evening time.
“Repossessing Jordan, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank”
Now Zephaniah shifts his attention to the modern-day nation of Jordan. He refers to this territory through the usage of the ancient names of Moab and Ammon. Moab encompassed the land, which was primarily located in Central Jordan, and Ammon was what is now Northern Jordan. Upon the return of the Jew into the Promised Land, the people of Jordan are guilty of two things: they commit anti-Semitic acts against the Jewish people, and they trespass in on the Eastern and Northeastern borders of the traditional tribal territories of Israel.
I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people [Israel] and made boasts against their territory. Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people [Israel] shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them. (Zeph. 2:8–9 NRSV; emphasis added).
Jeremiah the prophet, whose ministry briefly overlapped with Zephaniah’s, also expounds upon this trespassing of the Ammonites into the Jewish tribal territory of Gad. He foretells, as does Zephaniah, of the forcible eviction of the Arabs by the Jews, and the subsequent Israeli repossession of the land in question.
Against the Ammonites. Thus says the LORD: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Milcom inherit Gad, And his people dwell in its cities? Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD. (Jer. 49:1–2 NKJV; emphasis added).
Jeremiah asks the Jordanians; “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir?” The answer is obvious: of course Israel has descendants—they are repopulating the Holy Land in our day! He goes on to ask, then why are Jordanians trespassing in the Holy Land, which long ago was deeded to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, i.e., the twelve sons of Jacob? Gad was one of the twelve sons of Israel.
Therefore, Jeremiah emphasizes the similar point of Zephaniah, that for the Jordanian thievery of the Holy Land, at the time of the return of the Jew back into the land of Israel the Jordanians will come under military conflict. Because of military defeat over the Arab populations that occupy the land in question, Israel will inherit more Promised Land. This fits in fulfillment with the prophecy to restore the fortunes of the Jewish people prior to the “Day of the LORD.”
Once upon a time, Ammon and Moab were legitimately appropriated the territories to the East of the allotted territories of the Twelve Tribes. The Hebrews were taught to respect the territorial divides. However, at present the descendants of Ammon and Moab do not respect the boundaries established of old, and the prophets afore mentioned suggest that the Jordanians and the Palestinians will suffer the curse-for-curse-in-kind consequence contained in the Genesis 12:3 clause of the Abrahamic Covenant for their homesteading of the Holy Land.
Technically speaking, it may be that Golan Heights, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are under the spotlight of the prophetic theater. These territories reside well within the borders of the land formerly possessed by the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Terms like Palestinians, and Jordanians were not available to Zephaniah at the time of his prophetic writings; thus, the “meek of the Earth” must extrapolate the times of their signs as they traverse through these periods of Middle Eastern territorial mayhem.
The point is clear that unintended Arab parties are presently consuming prime property. Real estate in Israel comes at no small price tag, and yet today it is given away hastily to the Arabs in exchange for an illusive peace. There is a seesaw, back-and-forth battle for possession of the Promised Land that has plagued the region and burdened the international community since May 14, 1948, when Israel was restored as the Jewish nation. The Jews generally want to maintain the borders established after the Six-Day War of June 1967, and the Arabs would like to re-establish pre-1948 borders.
Scriptures already included in this study, once again listed below, do not allow for assimilation of the Holy Land into Arab control. A point soon forthcoming will find the Arabs displaced from the territories once allotted to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes. (Zeph. 2:7).
“Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance,” says the LORD.” (Jer. 49:2).
The remnant of my people [Israel] shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them. (Zeph. 2:9).
These scriptures and many more like them line the prophetic pages of the Bible. The point is clear that God’s plan for the Jewish people will move forward on schedule, and He will restore unto them their fortunes. Part of this portfolio is the precious real estate of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God deeded this land ages ago to Abraham and his descendants.
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the Earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the Earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” (Gen. 13:14–17, NKJV; emphasis added).
The Jews came into realization of much of this land after they had been delivered out of the four-hundred years of captivity in Egypt. Joshua led them in numerous battles as they marched as a people back into the Promised Land, and from a condition of victory, he distributed the land to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war. (Josh. 11:23, NKJV).
Similarly, today the Jews return from hundreds of years of worldwide captivity, and they will retake the same territories and in the process their fortunes will be restored. As it was at the time of Abraham, so it remains today: real estate is a possession deemed to be of great value. A quick query on the Internet regarding the price tag of real estate for sale in Israel today finds many properties priced well over one-million dollars per parcel. However, more than an expensive price tag, real estate provides shelter, productivity, defensibility and more to its possessor. When God says He will be “mindful of them and restore their fortunes,” one must indeed consider real estate as an important part of this national wealth.
The fact remains intact that the land in question is God’s to deed to whom He so chooses, and He has not chosen to bequeath it to the Arabs, who presently seek to seize it from the Jews. After the Jews are finished with the political attempts to resolve the issue, they will ultimately conclude that the land does not belong to the Arabs, but that it is theirs for the taking and that it can only be regained via the means of military conflict. When the “meek of the Earth” experience this magnificent episode, they need to “seek the LORD” with all fervor and redeem the time for the salvation and protection of their loved ones.
“The Shriveling of Islam”
This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they scoffed and boasted against the people of the LORD of hosts [Israel]. The LORD will be terrible against them; he will shrivel all the gods of the Earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the coasts and islands of the nations. (Zeph. 2:10–11 NRSV; emphasis added).
In keeping with the Israeli Conquest over the Palestinians and the Jordanians, two member groups of the Psalm 83:6–8 Arab confederacy, Zephaniah alludes to the shriveling up of their respective gods. In Zephaniah’s day, a defeated people evidenced that their god was unable to deliver them victorious. If a nation, tribe or ethnic group was defeated or destroyed, their god or gods would lose credibility by association. Therefore, the prophet causes the reader to remember that the two go hand-in-hand; a plundered people equaled a shriveled god.
At the time of the writing of this prophecy, the Moabites worshipped the god called Chemosh. The Ammonites worshipped Milcom. When Mohammed, born around AD 570 and the primary founder of the religion of Islam, came onto the scene, the Arabs of the Middle East worshipped many gods. Mohammed cleverly packaged the polytheism that plagued the region and presented the Arabs and the world with the religion of Islam. Though it had the appearance of a monotheistic religion, it incorporated many of the common polytheistic worship practices of the time.
Today, the subject god of Zephaniah’s prophecy is Allah, the god of Islam. All of the other ancient Arab gods of the region were made to give way to the rise of Allah. Therefore, when we are informed that the god of the Palestinians and Jordanians will shrivel up, we are being foretold of the beginning stages of the demise of Islam. Islam is a religion bent on cursing the Jews, and scripture tells us that anyone seeking to curse the Jews will be cursed in retaliation.
We should make the association that Islam is dealt a major blow at the time of the fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy. Islam has grown into a major religion with handcuffing arms well into the international community; therefore, Islam will not likely be eliminated at the time. However, the meek of the Earth will see the shriveling up process of Allah begin as a result of the Israeli conquest over the Psalm 83 Arab confederacy. They should be called to further caution as they begin to see Allah wither.
The Magog confederacy, led by Russia and Iran, which this author suggests sequentially follows the Psalm 83 confederacy, is likewise primarily operative under Islamic influence. The nations enlisted in this grouping are predominately Muslims. This Russian-Iranian confederacy will also experience defeat as hooks are put in its jaws to move against the expanding nation of Israel. Because of the divine defeat of this confederacy, Islam will dramatically diminish in scale. This acknowledgement segues into the next chronologically prophetic passage of Zephaniah regarding Ethiopia.
You Ethiopians also, You shall be slain by My sword. (Zeph. 2:12, NKJV).
In this brief passage, Zephaniah reminds the “meek of the Earth,” not to forget the epic prophetic episode that follows, whereby the Magog (Russian-Iranian) alliance advances against Israel. Ethiopia is enlisted in this confederate group and therefore through association we must consider the possibility that Zephaniah is alluding to this specific prophetic event. This event is thoroughly described by Ezekiel, in the 38th and 39th Chapters of his prophetic book. The point Zephaniah makes is that God will slay Ethiopia with the weapon of His choice, “My sword.” As one studies the divine defeat of the Russian Confederacy described in Ezekiel 39:1–6, they recognize that it is God Who personally delivers Israel from this major assault.
Summary
In conclusion, the time is at hand to consider Zephaniah’s call to caution. At the time of this writing, the reformation of the nation Israel is underway. A strong, wealthy Jewish nation is on the horizon. Don’t be surprised to see the IDF evict the Hamas from ancient Philistia, and the other terrorist entities out of Israel proper. Gaza will soon be deserted, serving as an end-time sign that the day of the LORD’S anger is shortly to follow.
Wherever the place and whenever the time, it is wise to keep a watchful eye on the events revolving around Israel. The LORD desires that the meek of the Earth be duly informed, so that they may get right with Him, in order to be hidden from the disturbing events destined to befall the inhabitants of the Earth during the day of the LORD.
At the request of the LORD, Zephaniah inscribed centuries ago this invaluable prophetic information in Chapter 2 of his book, for you, the “meek of the Earth.” He said that the Jewish people would re-gather in their ancient homeland and that they would do so in a condition of unbelief. Then he describes the Jews overcoming the Palestinians and their Arab cohorts, thereby taking back territory once belonging to their twelve tribal ancestors. This event brings with it a severe blow to the religion of Islam, the religion of the defeated Arabs.
Jewish fortunes are enormously increased and Russia is lured into coming after the great booty of the Israeli-Arab war. Russia forms its own coalition, which includes Iran and Ethiopia, among others, and comes down against Israel from the north to take the spoils. God divinely destroys this Russian-led confederacy. This defeat displays the glory of God and further dismantles the religion of Islam.
All of the above has been foretold by Zephaniah, as well as among other Old Testament Jewish prophets, in order that the “meek of the Earth” would be called to caution as they witnessed the unfolding of these specific events. This select population group, upon witnessing all of the above, can then be certain that the day of the LORD is the next significant prophetic event on the calendar. They are to seek the righteousness of Christ, in order that they may “be hidden, In the day of the LORD’S anger.”
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This article was taken from the chapter called, “Zephaniah’s Call to Caution,” in my book entitled, Isralestine, The Ancient Blueprints of the Future Middle East. All the related endnotes are contained inside Isralestine.
