Zephaniah is one of the least known books in the Bible. Yet, in it, we find one of the most amazing prophecies of Israel’s restoration in the coming messianic age. Speaking forth the word of the Lord during the reign of King Josiah (between 640-609 B.C.), Zephaniah foretells of the coming Day of the Lord (cf. Zephaniah 1:7— “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests”). When this day dawns, the Lord will reward those who have obeyed him, as well as mete out judgment upon those who have broken his commandments.

When speaking of the future conversion of the Gentiles in 3:8-20, Zephaniah describes a coming messianic age and the spread of the gospel. Yet, in the closing verses of his prophecy (3:14-20), Zephaniah focuses upon a time of great joy for Jerusalem. The prophet sees the city cleansed and rejoicing, even though Israel’s exile in Babylon is still future. This can only mean that the prophet foretells of a two-stage fulfillment of his prophecy; one after Israel’s exile in Babylon when God’s people return from their captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple, and another associated with the messianic age and those wonderful blessings to be earned for us by Jesus.

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