Zephaniah 1-3 (The Daily Walk Bible).

I made a statement in church a few weeks ago that I think “all times are now to God.” I felt I must have read it somewhere, but wasn’t sure where. On their way out someone told me it was probably Augustine! I haven’t verified that yet, but I think that we have an example of it here. The “day of the Lord” can refer to any time of judgment (and restoration). Here is seems to refer to the upcoming defeat of Judah by the Babylonians, the judgment on the surrounding nations, and then the restoration of God’s people in the land. But then there is more!

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing'” (3:14-17).

God is looking ahead to the time when He will set up His kingdom on earth, and will live with his people. He is combining all of this because “all times are now” to Him, but we are still awaiting that day with hope and expectation!

Revelation 21:1-4 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”