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Zephaniah 3:17 and the Other Verses of Zephaniah 3

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verse of the day for May 16th is Zephaniah 3:17.  The full name of the book Zephaniah is “The Book of Zephaniah.”  That book was written by the prophet Zephaniah.  When the book Zephaniah was written, Judah was an independent country; therefore, it had not yet become the Roman province Judea [joo-DEE-uh or joo-DAY-uh].  The word Judea can also be spelled Judaea or Judæa.  The character æ is a ligature [LIG-uh-chuhr or LIG-uh-choor] of a and e.  Before the Romans conquered the region known as Judea, the name of the country of the Jewish people was Judah.  The inhabitants of Judah can be referred to as Judahites [JOO-duh-ights].  The inhabitants of Judea can be referred to as Judeans [joo-DEE-uhnz or joo-DAY-uhnz].  

The first king of Israel was King Saul, the second king of Israel was King David, and the third king of Israel was one of Davidʼs sons, King Solomon.  After King Solomon died, Israel was split into two nations.  Ten tribes formed the Northern Kingdom, which kept the name Israel and is also known as Ephraim.  Two tribes formed the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah.  The twelve tribes of Israel are listed as follows, in order of birth of the sons of Jacob:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.  The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph.  Also, the tribe of Joseph is subdivided into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.  In that regard, Joseph has a double portion.  In some parts of the Bible, the tribe of Ephraim is referred to as the tribe of Joseph.  The two tribes of the Southern Kingdom are Judah and Benjamin.  Below is a link to a map showing the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).  For reference, Jerusalem is located in grid coordinate C6.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot5.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/ot5.jpg

For geographical reference, below is a link to a map of the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires.  Jerusalem is located at grid coordinate C4.  Babylon is located on the edge of grid coordinates E3 and E4.  Also, while Persia is not labeled on that map, Persia is located in grid coordinates F2, F3, and F4, as well as further east than the area marked by those grid coordinates.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot6.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/ot6.jpg

Many Israelites of the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah, were exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C.  Israelites returned to the land in 516 B.C., which was seventy years later.  In that regard, the prophets are categorized as pre-exilic, exilic, and post-exilic prophets.  Zephaniah is categorized as a pre-exilic prophet.  

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Zephaniah 3.  

Zephaniah 3:1

Woe to the rebellious/filthy and defiled/polluted, the oppressing city!  

Note:  Jerusalem is the city referenced in this verse.  Also, there is uncertainty as to whether the Hebrew word מָרָא [pronounced mah-RAH and can be transliterated as mara'] in the form that appears in this verse means “rebellious” or “filthy.”  Regardless of which of those is the meaning of that Hebrew word, this verse indicates that so many of the residents of Jerusalem were oppressive that the city is referred to with the phrase oppressing city.  

Zephaniah 3:2

She has not heeded the voice.  She has not accepted instruction.  She has not trusted in Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  She has not drawn near to her 'Elohiym [el-oh-HEEM] / Godhead.  

Note:  The term Godhead refers to the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit].  In this verse, the selfish residents of the city Jerusalem are referenced by means of metonymy [meh-TAHN-uh-mee], which is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another word or phrase with which the substituting word or phrase is closely associated.  That metonymy involves using references to the city Jerusalem to refer to the residents of the city.  Also, the city Jerusalem is personified as a woman in this verse.  

Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to what the word voice in this verse refers.  Regardless of to what that word refers, the context of this verse is such that the Jerusalem residentsʼ lack of accepting instruction involves the context of the Word of God.  In that regard, rather than drawing near literally referring to decreasing the physical distance between the Jerusalem residents and the Trinity, drawing near instead metaphorically refers to having a close relationship with the Trinity.  Having a close relationship with the Trinity is accomplished by means of obeying the Word of God.  

Zephaniah 3:3

Her princes / rulers / leaders / chiefs / chieftains / officials / captains within her are roaring lions.  Her judges are evening wolves.  They have not gnawed a bone in the morning.  

Note:  Regarding the lion metaphor, that reference has a negative connotation in this verse.  In that regard, the authorities of Jerusalem are referred to as preying upon people.  In other words, they misuse their authority in order to oppress people.  Because lions are powerful creatures, this metaphor also involves a reference to those abusive authoritiesʼ power in contrast with their prey.  Regarding the wolf metaphor, the judges are compared to wolves that prowl in the evening; therefore, the implication of the reference to not gnawing a bone in the morning is that those wolves are so ravenous, they rapidly consume their prey.  In that regard, the judges of Jerusalem are referred to as being so selfish that they rapidly and thoroughly oppress people.  

Zephaniah 3:4

Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men.  Her priests have profaned/defiled the Sanctuary.  They have violated the law.  

Note:  The Levitical priests are the priests referenced in this verse.  Also, unspecified in this verse is whether the law referenced in this verse refers to the Mosaic Law or to laws in general.  The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites.  Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law.  The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law by being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Mosaic Law, no believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are under the regulations of the Mosaic Law.  

Zephaniah 3:5

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is righteous in her midst.  He does no injustice.  Every morning, He brings His justice to light.  He has not been lacking.  The unjust / unrighteous / evil / wicked knows no shame.  

Note:  The content of the second-to-last sentence of this verse refers to the content of the sentence before it.  In that regard, the content of the second-to-last sentence indicates that God the Father is just.  The content of the last sentence of this verse contrasts with the content of the other sentences of this verse.  In that regard, the unjust / unrighteous / evil / wicked are shameless.  In other words, they are unashamed of their wrongdoings.  

Zephaniah 3:6

“I have cut off nations.  Their corner towers have been desolated.  I have laid waste their streets, with no one passing by.  Their cities have been destroyed, without a man, without an inhabitant.  

Note:  As a result of those cities being destroyed, those cities lacked any humans inhabiting those cites.  

Zephaniah 3:7

“I have said, ‘Surely, you yare' [yah-RAY] / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence Me.  You accept instruction.  Her dwelling place / habitation is not cut off—all that I have appointed concerning her.  They have arisen early; they have corrupted all their doings.  

Note:  In this verse, the uses of the present tense in the phrase you yare' [yah-RAY] / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence and the phrase You accept are for the purpose of giving commands.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense in order to give a command can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine the obeying of that command as though the reader or hearer is watching the obeying of that command as it occurs.  Also, the reference to not being cut off refers to what would occur if enough Judahites would do what God the Father commanded.  

The content of the last sentence of this verse contrasts with the commands that are given in this verse.  The phrase have arisen early in that sentence refers to the eagerness of Judahites in corrupting all their doings.  In that regard, Judahites had been eagerly engaging in wrongdoings.  

Zephaniah 3:8

“Therefore wait for Me,”—a declaration of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, “for the day of My rising for plunder.  Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out on them My indignation, all My burning anger, for all the earth is devoured by the fire of My zeal.  

Note:  The judgment referenced in this verse will occur during the Tribulation, which will begin with the Rapture and end with the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  The Rapture will occur at the end of the Church Age.  

With regard to the Church Age, the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Second Advent, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Getting back to Zephaniah 3:8, the word anger in this verse is an anthropopathism [an-thruh-poh-PATH-iz-uhm].  An anthropopathism is a term that describes the Members of the Trinity using human characteristics in order to help understand the essence of the Trinity.  The Members of the Trinity donʼt literally become angry; the usage of the word anger helps human beings understand the wrath of God the Father.  

The judgment referenced in Zephaniah 3:8 is the Baptism of Fire.  Also, the Baptism of Fire is a different event from the occasion on which unbelievers will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  That occasion will be after the 1,000-year Millennium.  The Lake of Fire is the place of judgment for the fallen angels and those who have had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior but never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  For each person who at some time in that personʼs life has the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, the age of that person when that person first had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior can be referred to as the age of accountability of that person.  The age of accountability varies for each individual person.  

Content in 2 Samuel 12:23 indicates that a person who dies before that person has reached the age of accountability receives eternal life.  The content of that verse references King David recognizing that when David died, he would be with his son who had died as a baby.  Below is content related to 2 Samuel 12:22–23.  

Note:  In the below content of 2 Samuel 12:22, the pronoun he refers to David.  

2 Samuel 12:22

Then he says, “While the child was still alive, I have fasted, and I weep, for I have said, ‘Who knows?  Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has been gracious to me, and the child has lived.’  

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verb says and the verb weep reference what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

2 Samuel 12:23

“However, now he has died; why should I fast?  Am I able to bring him back again?  I am going to him, but he does not return to me.”  

Note:  David indicated that he recognized that he would later be with his son who had died as a baby.  In that regard, David indicated that he recognized that the means by which David would be with that deceased son involved David going to be with that deceased son when David would die rather than that deceased son coming back to be with David before David died.  David is eternally saved; therefore, the content of this verse indicates that Davidʼs son who had died as a baby is also eternally saved.  

The location of the Lake of Fire is unspecified in the Bible.  The Lake of Fire is different from Hades [HAY-deez].  The word Hades comes from Greek.  A synonym for Hades is Sheol [SHEE-ohl].  The word Sheol comes from Hebrew.  Sheol/Hades is somewhere under the surface of the earth in a location that is inaccessible to those humans who have not yet experienced physical death.  Sheol/Hades can also be referred to as the netherworld.  Also, the phrase the netherworld can alternatively be spelled as the nether world.  The word nether means “located down or below.”  

Before the Lord Jesus Christʼs resurrection and ascension to Heaven, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ resided in a pleasant compartment of Hades called Paradise and also called Abrahamʼs Bosom.  After the Lord was resurrected and He ascended to Heaven, the believers who were in Abrahamʼs Bosom were transferred to Heaven.  Now that the Lord has been resurrected and has ascended to Heaven, deceased believers go to Heaven rather than going to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred to Abrahamʼs Bosom other than the content of Luke 16:22 mentioning angels carrying the poverty-stricken believer named Lazarus to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Also, unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred from Abrahamʼs Bosom to Heaven or how believers are transferred to Heaven.  

Deceased unbelievers resided and still reside in a compartment of Hades called Torments.  They will reside there until the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers, which will occur after the Lordʼs 1,000-year Millennial reign on the earth.  Another compartment of Hades is Tartarus, which is where those fallen angels who mated with human females—as mentioned in Genesis 6—are currently incarcerated.  

Paradise / Abrahamʼs Bosom is referenced in Luke 16:19–22.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:19–22

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  Also, a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores and longing to be fed with the things which were falling from the rich manʼs table.  Nevertheless, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abrahamʼs bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.”

Torments is referenced in Luke 16:23–26.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:23–26

“In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and sees* Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue because I am in agony in this flame.’  Nevertheless, Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things and likewise Lazarus bad things.  Nevertheless, now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Also, in all these things, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.’”

*Note:  The word sees is in the Greek historical present tense.  

Tartarus and the context of the judgment of the angels who mated with human females are referenced in 2 Peter 2:4–5.  

2 Peter 2:4–5

Indeed, if God did not spare—and He indeed did not spare—angels when they sinned but cast them into Tartarus and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment, and did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher [or herald] of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 

Note:  In 2 Peter 2:4, the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek verb that is translated as “cast them into Tartarus” is ταρταρώσας [pronounced tar-tah-ROH-sahs and transliterated as tartarōsas].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word ταρταρόω [pronounced tar-tah-RAH-oh and transliterated as tartaroō].  The verb tartaroō is derived from the Greek noun Τάρταρος [pronounced TAHR-tah-rahs and transliterated as Tartaros], which can be translated as “Tartarus.”  The English noun Tartarus is also derived from the Greek noun Tartaros.  

Regarding terminology, when people use the word hell, they might be referring to Hades/Sheol, and they might be referring to the Lake of Fire.  Also, it is possible that some people are unaware that Hades and the Lake of Fire are different locations.  There are zero indications in the Bible that Satan has a headquarters located in Hades or in the Lake of Fire.  

As mentioned further above, the judgment referenced in Zephaniah 3:8 is the Baptism of Fire.  Also, as mentioned further above, the Baptism of Fire will occur on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The content of Zephaniah 3:8 is repeated below for reference.  

Zephaniah 3:8

“Therefore wait for Me,”—a declaration of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, “for the day of My rising for plunder.  Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out on them My indignation, all My burning anger, for all the earth is devoured by the fire of My zeal.  

Zephaniah 3:9

“Certainly, then I turn unto / I change / I transform the peoples a pure lip / language / speech / talk, so that all of them call on the name of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, to serve Him with one shoulder.  

Note:  This verse refers to the start of the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of the Lord on the earth.  The Millennium will begin with believers only.  In that regard, the use of the present tense in this verse can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine what is described as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  The Millennium will begin with only believers on the earth because all of the unbelievers will have been removed from the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent, which is when the Lord will do the Baptism of Fire.  

In Zephaniah 3:9, the phrase serve Him with one shoulder refers to believers being united in serving the Lord.  Also, unspecified is exactly how the believers will be changed so as to speak and behave properly.  While the details are unspecified, this verse indicates that believers will be serving the Lord at the beginning of the Millennium.  

Note:  Regarding the pronunciation of the ancient location referenced in the below content of verse 10, the first syllable of the word cushion sounds like the name Cush.  The land Cush was where the Cushites dwelled.  The Cushites were descended from a grandson of Noah.  That grandson was named Cush.  The father of Cush was Ham.  Where the land Cush was located is uncertain.  

Zephaniah 3:10

“From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed, bring My offering.  

Note:  The Millennium is the time of what is described in this verse.  Israelites who will have been living in countries other than Israel will travel to Israel and bring offerings for God the Father.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding ones are the locations of the rivers of Cush.  

Zephaniah 3:11

“In that day, you are not ashamed because of any of your actions/deeds by which you have rebelled against Me, for then I remove from your midst the proudly exultant ones, and you are never again haughty on My holy mountain.  

Note:  The use of the present tense in this verse can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine what is described as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  Also, the pronoun you in the phrase you are not ashamed refers to Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent.  The pronoun your in the phrase your actions/deeds by which you have rebelled against Me refers to Israelites of any time period before the Millennium.  The pronoun your in the phrase then I remove from your midst refers to Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent.  The phrase proudly exultant ones refers to Israelite unbelievers at the time of the Second Advent.  The pronoun you in the phrase you are never again haughty on My holy mountain refers to Israelite believers at the beginning of the Millennium.  

Zephaniah 3:12

I also have left among you a humble/afflicted/lowly/needy/poor and lowly/needy/poor/weak/thin people, and they have taken refuge in the name of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  

Note:  The uses of the perfect tense in this verse are references to the future.  Those uses of the perfect tense in this verse have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

Also, taking refuge in the name of God the Father refers to trusting in Him.  This verse refers to Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent.  The first half of this verse describes the status of those believers before the Second Advent.  In that regard, during the Tribulation, there will be Jewish believers who will trust in God the Father while those Jewish believers will be suffering.  Also, rather than an absence of any reference in this verse to Gentile believers indicating what Gentile believers will or will not be experiencing and doing, this verse simply focuses on matters involving Jewish people.  

Zephaniah 3:13

“The remnant of Israel does no wrong and tells no lies, nor is a deceitful tongue found in their mouths, for they feed and have lain down, and there is none causing them to be afraid.”  

Note:  As with the previous verse, this verse refers to Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent.  Also, the uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse are references to what will occur in the future.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

In addition, the use of the perfect tense in the phrase have lain down is a reference to the future.  As with the uses of the perfect tense in verse 12, the use of the perfect tense in this verse has a rhetorical effect.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 12, using verbs in the perfect tense to refer to what will happen in the future can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

In this verse, the phrase they feed and have lain down, and there is none causing them to be afraid is a metaphor that can cause to come to mind animals safely eating and safely lying down after having eaten.  Regarding the phrase have lain down and the phrase lying down, rather than the verbs lain and lying being transitive verbs (verbs taking a direct object), the verbs lain and lying are intransitive verbs (verbs not taking a direct object).  Refraining from mixing up the intransitive verb lie and its various forms with the transitive verb lay and its various forms can help with the clarity of both verbal and written communication.  In that regard, below is some information that might help with refraining from mixing up those verbs.  Included in the information are some sayings.  Repeating those sayings every day might help with getting the correct usage of those verbs straight and firmly planted in oneʼs memory.  

Forms of the transitive verb lay can be remembered by means of the below saying.

lay, laying, laid, have laid

Below are examples of the use of that transitive verb.  

I will lay the book on the table.  

I am laying the book on the table.  

I laid the book on the table.  

I have laid the book on the table before.  

Forms of the intransitive verb lie can be remembered by means of the below saying.

lie, lying, lay, have lain

Below are examples of the use of that intransitive verb.  

I lie down to look at the stars in the sky.  

The book lies on the table.  

Lie down, doggie.  Lie down.  

I am lying down and looking at the stars in the sky.  

The book is lying on the table.  

The dog is lying down.  

A while ago, I lay down to look at the stars in the sky.  

The book lay on the table.  

The dog lay down a moment ago.  

On previous occasions, I have lain down to look at the stars in the sky.  

The book has lain on the table before.  

The dog has lain down on command multiple times.  

The content of Zephaniah 3:13 is repeated below for reference.  

Zephaniah 3:13

“The remnant of Israel does no wrong and tells no lies, nor is a deceitful tongue found in their mouths, for they feed and have lain down, and there is none causing them to be afraid.”  

Zephaniah 3:14

Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O Israel!  Rejoice and exult with the whole heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!  

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  Zion [ZIGH-uhn] is the mountain on which Jerusalem is located.  In this verse, the Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent are to whom the phrases O daughter of Zion and O daughter of Jerusalem refer.  In that regard, those phrases are metaphorical references to the Israelite believers at the time of the Second Advent.  

Zephaniah 3:15

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has taken away the judgments against you.  He has cleared away your enemy.  The King of Israel, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, is in your midst.  You fear evil/calamity/harm/trouble no more.  

Note:  The pronouns you and your in this verse refer to Israelite believers at the beginning of the Millennium—in other words, after the Second Advent.  Also, the word enemy in this verse is used collectively to refer to all of the individuals who will be enemies of Israel at the time of the Second Advent.  In this verse, the phrase King of Israel, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One refers to God the Son.  In that regard, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son.  The reference to the Lord Jesus Christ being in the midst of the Jewish people is a reference to Him reigning over Israel during the Millennium.  When He will be reigning during the Millennium, He will do so in His resurrection body.  

Zephaniah 3:16

In that day, it is said to Jerusalem:  “Do not be afraid, O Zion.  Do not let your hands fall limp.  

Note:  In this verse, the word Zion refers to Israelite believers at the beginning of the Millennium.  The command to the Israelite believers at the beginning of the Millennium to not let their hands fall limp is a command to those Israelite believers to refrain from being fainthearted.  

Zephaniah 3:17

“Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One your 'Elohiym/Godhead is in your midst, a Warrior Who saves.  He rejoices over you with joy.  He is quiet / makes silent [with some ancient versions:  renews you] in His love.  He rejoices over you with shouts of joy.  

Note:  As mentioned in the notes for verse 15, in the Millennium, the Lord Jesus Christ in His resurrection body will reign over Israel.  Also, the uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse are references to what will occur in the future.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  Regarding Zephaniah referencing the Lord Jesus Christ, it is possible that Zephaniah was unaware that the name of the Savior would be Jesus.  

Regarding the third sentence in the above translation of this verse, it is unclear what exactly Zephaniah is communicating in the part of this verse that is translated with that third sentence.  In that regard, an ancient Hebrew manuscript involves quietness/silence while ancient Greek and ancient Syriac versions involve renewing.  Also, if what Zephaniah is communicating involves quietness/silence, it is unclear whether he is communicating that the Lord Jesus Christ is quiet or whether the Lord Jesus Christ makes someone silent.  Regardless of what Zephaniah is communicating in the part of this verse that is translated with that third sentence, this verse indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ will be a Warrior Who will save the Israelite believers who will be alive at the time of the Second Advent.  This saving will be from the enemies of the Israelite believers.  Also, this verse indicates the Lord will be enthusiastically pleased with Israelite believers who will be regularly obeying the Word of God at the time of the Second Advent.  

Zephaniah 3:18

“I have gathered those grieving about/for the appointed time / assembly / appointed place / place of meeting / place of solemn assembly / tent of meeting.  They have been from you / among you / from among you—the reproach/disgrace/shame a burden on her.  

Note:  The uses of the perfect tense in this verse are references to the future.  Those uses of the perfect tense in this verse have a rhetorical effect.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 13, using verbs in the perfect tense to refer to what will happen in the future can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

It is unclear what Zephaniah is communicating in this verse insofar as what the grieving concerns.  That grieving might involve either a time or a place.  If it involves a time, it would be an appointed time at which an assembly of the Israelites would occur.  When the Israelites were under the Mosaic Law, they were supposed to assemble at appointed times in order to participate in feast celebrations.  If this verse references a place, it would be a place where the Israelites would assemble.  

When Israelites have been dispersed outside the land of Israel, those Israelites have been unable to assemble to participate in feast celebrations in the land of Israel.  In that regard, it is possible that the grieving referenced in this verse refers to Israelites outside the land of Israel grieving about their inability to assemble to participate in feast celebrations in the land of Israel.  Likewise, it is possible that the reference to reproach/disgrace/shame being a burden refers to Israelites who are unable to assemble to participate in feast celebrations in the land of Israel.  

In this verse, the singular pronoun her refers to the same people as the plural pronoun they.  In other words, the pronoun her refers to Israelite believers alive at the time of the Second Advent.  Regardless of the details regarding the grieving and the reproach/disgrace/shame that are referenced in this verse, the referencing of that grieving and that reproach/disgrace/shame in this verse provides a contrast to what Israelite believers alive at the time of the Second Advent will experience, which is referenced in the next two verses.  

Zephaniah 3:19

“Behold, I am am dealing at that time with all those afflicting you, and I have saved the limping one.  I gather the outcast, and I have turned their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.  

Note:  The uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse are references to what will occur in the future.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver the Jewish believers from their enemies.  In that regard, the references to a limping person and an outcast call attention to the fact that the Jewish believers will be facing overwhelmingly powerful enemies who will be antagonistic toward the Jews.  Also, this verse indicates that when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent, He will make Israel a famous and popular nation.  In that regard, all unbelievers will be removed from the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent; therefore, after the removal of the unbelievers, all of the people on the earth at that moment will be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  

Zephaniah 3:20

“At that time, I bring you in, even at the time that I gather you.  Indeed, I give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes,” has said Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One!  

Note:  As with the uses of a present tense in verse 19 and some of the other verses of Zephaniah 3, the uses of a present tense in verbs in verse 20 are references to what will occur in the future.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the preceding verses is into where the Lord will bring the Israelite believers who will be alive at the time of the Second Advent.  In addition, turning back captivity refers to the restoring of the freedom and prosperity of a nation that had been suffering.  In that regard, the phrase before your eyes refers to the Jewish believers observing the Lord restoring their freedom and prosperity.  

Sincerely,

John