Author: evangelist_breland

Zephaniah 3:18-20

Zephaniah continued his prophecy of Jerusalem. He now changes his message from judgment to the joy of restoration with the promise of more blessings for God’s people. Zephaniahdeclared to them in v.5: “The Lord is righteous in her midst, and He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning, He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.” He is mighty and promised to save and rejoice over them with joy. He promised them rest in his love, and He will joy over them with singing. Because of God’s grace, He will always offer encouragement and comfort to His people. 

The Lord declares here that He will gather His people back to the land of Israel who were scattered abroad and sorrowful because they could not celebrate the important solemn festivals; no longer will they carry the disgrace of exile (v.18). The prophet continued: “Behold, I will deal with all your oppressors at that time: and I will save the lame and gather her that was driven out; and I will change their shame into praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame (v.19). 

The Lord said that on that day when He gathers His people together and brings them home again, He will make them renowned and praised among all people of the earth when He restores His people’s fortunes before their eyes (v.20). God promised that one day He will regather all those who turn back to Him. They will be renewed in love, and He will allow them to enjoy all His blessings. What about you ? If you are among the exiled  today, will you repent and turn back to the Lord and enjoy all the blessings He has for you?

 Give God glory!

Zephaniah 3:14-17

In Zephaniah 3:1-7, the prophet predicted woe upon Judah and Jerusalem due to their moral state. She was filthy and polluted (v.1), disobedient, rebellious, and would not listen to anyone; Jerusalem refused to be corrected and did not trust in her God or draw near to Him (v.2). Her princes were roaring lions; her judges were evening wolves (v.3). Her prophets were false and treacherous; her priests polluted the sanctuary (v.4). In spite of Jerusalem’s rebellion and faithlessness, as with His people today, God is just every day in all His doings; He does no wrong.Here in v.14, the prophet personified Jerusalem, commanding that she celebrate her eternal salvation. He told her to sing, shout, be glad, and rejoice with all the heart. He continued in v.15 to tell her to celebrate and be joyous because the judgments that were against them, theLord has taken them away. The prophet said that the Lord has cast out their enemy, and He, King of Israel and the Lord, is in their midst. You will not see evil anymore. In the day of the Lord, it will be said to Jerusalem that she is not to fear, and to Zion that she is to not let her hands be slack (v.16). Zephaniah declared to them that God, in their midst is mighty. He promised to save and rejoice over them with joy. He promised to rest in his love and joy over them with singing (v.17). Because of God’s grace, He will always offer encouragement and comfort to His people.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!

Revelation 3:20-22

When the church is lukewarm, Jesus does not get honor and finds no refreshment in it. Because He sacrificed His life for the church, His promise is that He will chasten those whom he loves; He desires that His people will repent and change their ways. The church might not appreciate Jesus’ chastisement, but Psalm 94:12 declares that the man whom the Lord chastens is blessed. 

Since Jesus so loves the church, even in its lukewarm state, and the church shuts Him out of His church, He stands at the door and continually knocks. He could push the door open and come right on in, but He never forces Himself into the church without being invited; we have a free will. As He stands at the door and knocks, He is patiently waiting to see if anyone hears His voice and opens the door. He declares that He will come in to him who hears His voice and invites Him in, and He will sup with him, and he with Me. Jesus does not want an unrepentant, self-righteous church that proclaims to be rich and not need anything but does not know they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. He told the Laodiceans He wants a church that is zealous and repentant so He can come in and fellowship with you and you with Him.

Here Jesus promises that He will give him who overcomes to sit with Him in His throne, even as He also overcame, and am set down with His Father in His throne (v.21). “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches “(v.22).

Glory!

Revelation 3:19-20

After Jesus offered to sell the Laodiceans heavenly commodity that would develop their spiritual condition, He said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous and repent” (19). Long before I knew the words “rebuke or chasten,” I now know that Momma rebuked and chastened my brothers and me. When we were disobedient, she would tell us she loved us, but you are going to get a whippin’. She always gave us loving words of encouragement, telling us not to do that again. She hoped the punishment would persuade us to correct our behavior. 

Isn’t that Jesus’ expectation for His children? He rebukes and chastens those whom He dearly loves; the Amplified Bible says He is “showing them their faults and instructing them.” He commanded the church of Ephesus to “remember from where they had fallen, repent, and do their first work to avoid quick judgment” (2:5). Remember, God’s desire is that no man should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b). So, yes, His expectation here is that the church of Laodicea will change from their lukewarm condition, be zealous, and repent. 

Jesus told these Laodiceans, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (20). Church, do not let your lukewarm attitude cause you to not repent and ignore Jesus’s knock at the door. Stop pretending you are hard of hearing and let Him come in.

Give God glory!

Revelation 3:17-18

In John 13:34-35 Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to love one another as He has loved them. Their love for one another is how all will know they are His disciples. Matthew 22:39 said believers shall love their neighbor as their self. When believers fail to love, they lose their zeal, grow weak, and stagnant in faith. They are lukewarm Christians and do not please God.

The Laodiceans say they are rich, increased with goods, and don’t need anything, and they do not know that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (v.17). Therefore, Jesus advised them in v.18 to buy three things from Him that they could not buy with money. You see, with the Lord, money is not everything. Their spiritual condition was seriously deficient, and since they didn’t know it, He wanted them to realize the importance of spiritual riches rather than material riches. He offered them gold – gold tried in the fire, that they may be rich. He advised them to buy white raiment so that they may be covered, and the shame of their nakedness may not be revealed. Lastly Jesus offered them eye salve to anoint their eyes so that they could see (v.18). Jesus’ counsel to the Laodiceans and to us is to come to Him; only He has the cure for our lukewarm condition. 

Today, if you have become lukewarm, will you trust Jesus to heal your lukewarm condition and commit totally to the purpose He has for you?

Give Him glory!