Before It's Too Late

Presently, our Adult Bible Study Group on Sunday mornings is surveying the messges of the Minor Prophets -- Daniel through Malachi. These men were powerful proclaimers of God's truth. They spoke clearly and passionately to the issues of their day -- and by extension to the issues of our day.

Last Sunday we looked at the message of Zephaniah. Zephaniah preached during the reign of Josiah. Josiah served as one of Judah's (Southern Israel) greatest kings. He followed the reigns of two of Judah's worst kings, Manasseh and Amon. Manasseh and Amon presided over one of the greatest moral slides in Israel's history. Idol worship was prevalent throughout the kingdom and the spiritual life of Israel was at rock bottom.

Along comes Josiah. Zephaniah assisted Josiah in calling Israel back to holiness. As with the other Minor Prophets, Zephaniah warned the nation in very vivid terms against continuing in their rebellion against God. Zephaniah said, "The great day of the Lord is near--near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter" (Zeph. 2:14).

Scholars recognize that the phrase "day of the LORD" had a double meaning. It referred to the present judgment because of Judah's present state of sin, and also the ultimate judgment on the world's sin at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We are fast approaching that "day of the LORD" and we should consider carefully the message of the prophets, such as Zephaniah.

As we studied the message of Zephaniah together, we noticed the repetition of a small word in Zephaniah 2:2. Three times in this verse the word "before" is repeated three times in the New International Version (twice in the original Hebrew; the second "before" is implied). Zephaniah said,

Before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you (Zeph.2:2, NIV).

One of the important literary features of Hebrew writing is the repetition of words or phrases for emphasis. Zephaniah wanted to draw attention to the word, "before." The word, "before," in English can be mistaken for an innocuous preposition. The word in the Hebrew draws out a much deeper meaning.

The Hebrew word translated "before" is terem (teh-rem). The root of this word is obscure. It apparently had the original meaning of "to suspend, or interupt." So, as one considers this idea of "suspension" in the context of Zephaniah one sees what one writer calls, "the mercy of prophecy." Zephaniah's warning of the soon-coming, bitter judgment of God was born out of God's heart of mercy. As Peter said, "God wishes that none perish" (2Peter 3:9).

When I saw that word, "before," my mind immediately forwarded to the question: "before what?" Almost as immediately the answer bounced back like a super ball thrown against a block wall: "before it is too late."

We are still in the "before" period of God's plan of redemption. He has interupted or suspended His judgment giving every man, woman, and child time to enter into a saving relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. We are in the mercy stage of God's plan.

We know that the reforms under Josiah were short-lived. History records Israel's bent toward rebellion and idol worship. Israel's rebellion continues today as she still rejects God's Messiah, Jesus Christ. Judgment still looms on the horizon. The "before time" of mercy is getting shorter and shorter. The vials of God's judgements will soon be poured out. The prophets tell of that "great day of the LORD" when God will return to judge the nations.

If you are alive today, you are still in the "before" time of mercy. You can still repent. You can still embrace God's Deliverer, Jesus the Messiah. There is still time before God's judgment will be poured out upon you either at your death (Hebrews 9:27) or at the Second Coming. Israel continues to reject the message of her prophets and lives in constant threat of attack.

Heed the message of Zephaniah. Embrace God and serve Him -- before it is too late.

Christian friends, get the word out. Someday it will be "too late."