The Day of the Lord: Part Five
By Joel M. Killion
E-mail: joel@innerlifeministries.com
Web-site: innerlifeministries.com
Zephaniah’s Insight

Many of the Old Testament prophets were given comprehensive revelation into the Day of the Lord;
like a diamond, each and every facet of God’s Day was disclosed through a different prophet so that
when each part was joined to the rest, the whole would be seen.

The book of Zephaniah is one prophecy that contains a great deal of insight (Even though it is but
one facet of the diamond.).  And while we could dissect all three chapters, we are, however, going to
take a close, verse-by-verse look at chapter one (We hope to dissect chapters two and three at a
later date.).

Take Note - Each verse is preceded by the verse number.  Also, within each verse, you will see that I
have included - within the brackets - some word studies along with a few “tid-bits;” plus, I have added
several additional thoughts in between each verse.

And while I know that this may be hard for some to read, since it is an extended, concentrated
exegesis of a very austere passage, I implore you:

Please take your time and prayerfully study each and every stanza until you personally “get it” for
yourself.  

As we bury our faces in the perfect Word of Life, energized by the same Spirit Who wrote each word,
let us remember that this is “a matter of the heart,” not the head.  It is not by believing “in our minds”
but by believing “in our hearts” that results in “righteousness.”  It is very easy to “know” the “material,”
but if we do not “see” the Lord and His intentions in what He is saying to us, we will not “see” what is
“in His heart.”

So take it slowly and try not to be in a hurry.  

God gave Zephaniah numerous revelations into His Day for the good of all those who would “hear
and obey” its message.  Let us, therefore, cherish these truths with utmost passion.

As you read through this systematic article, be mindful that the prophetic message was originally
directed at Israel (a type of Body of Christ), not the world (the “unsaved”).  So remember, this word is
for “the Body of Christ” to whom much has been given and of whom much is required.

Now let us begin…


Verse 1) The word of the Lord which came unto Zephaniah…

The name Zephaniah means “Jah has secreted” or “God has hidden.”

What we are about to see is comprised of that which God has hidden from “the wise and the prudent”
and revealed unto “babes” (Lk. 10:21, KJV).  The “brainy believers” and the “top-heavy theologians”
will never grasp the heart and soul of Christ’s present activities in His Body and the earth.  Those who
“know” the Lord - personally and experientially - will be able to “clearly discern” all that He is doing
and will not kick against Him like the Pharisees and Sadducees who knew the Word of God but the
God of the Word.

The Day of the Lord is an enigma to “the natural mind” for “the natural man does not receive the
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14, NKJV).

“The spiritual mind,” on the other hand, is well able to discern “the word of the Lord” from “every
other word” for it knows the “form” of the Lord - it knows “His sound” from “every other sound” (Num.
12:8; 1 Cor. 2:13).  Those who have cultivated “this mind”, which is “the mind of Christ,” know what
the Spirit is saying to “His” Church (“His” Body) because they have a “hearing ear” and a “seeing
eye” empowered by the simple faith of a little child (a babe).


Verse 2) I will utterly consume [destroy, remove - Strong’s 622] all things everything - Strong’s 3605]
from off the land [“Adam’s” whole world will be destroyed], saith the Lord.

Everything in Adam’s “land” (in his world) will be “utterly” consumed.  And if you are wondering what
“exactly” He means by “all things,” just read on.

Adam’s self-serving, little world is about to be rocked.  Everything will change.


Verse 3) I will consume [destroy, remove - Strong’s 622] man and beast [beastly, carnal Adam; see
Strong’s 120 & Ps. 73:22; 135:8]; I will consume the fowls [the “foul” and lofty, high-flying thoughts] of
the heaven [of man’s mind], and the fishes [the “fishy,” low-swimming motives and intentions] of the
sea [of man’s “deep,” inward parts], and the stumbling blocks [those things that “block” us from the
Lord or trip us up] with the wicked: and I will cut off man [Adam] from off the land [from everything he
cherishes and possesses], saith the Lord.

Everything within our soul - our mind, emotions and will - will be “called into question,” from the least
(“the fishes of the sea”) to the greatest (“the fowls of the heaven”).  Every “beastly” root will be pulled
up.  Every “fleshly” way will be challenged.  No stone (“stumbling block”) will be left unturned as His
bright Light shines into every “nook-n-cranny” of our lives.


Verse 4) I will also stretch out [spread out, overthrow with - Strong’s 5186] mine hand [His (not man’
s) five-fold ministry] upon Judah [praise - Strong’s 3034; the praisers], and upon all the inhabitants
[members or parts] of Jerusalem [House of Peace - Strong’s 3389; His Church]; and I will cut off the
remnant [“little foxes”] of Baal [religious and political confusion] from this place [His Church], and the
name [nature or essence] of the Chemarims [false gods – Strong’s 3649] with the priests [the
preachers];

The Lord - in His day - is purging His Church (“Judah” and “Jerusalem”) with “His” outstretched “hand”
- “His” apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11-16); however, these, His
servants, are not to be confused with the multitudes of would-be “five-folders” who simply hold a “title”
without the Substance and Life of Christ Himself.

And what will He purge out? The subtleties (“the remnant”) of religious-political confusion and the root
of idolatry (“Chemarims”) with those (“priests”) who “foster” such evils.

Every area of our praise (“Judah”) will be refined, and…

Every square inch of His House (“Jerusalem,” His Church) will be swept clean.

But that is not all…


Verse 5) And [“I will cut off”] them that worship [reverence, bow down in homage to - Strong’s 7812]
the host of heaven upon the housetops [(by analogy) upon the alter - Strong’s 1406]; and them that
worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham [Molech, a false god - Strong’s 4445];

Again, God is dealing with “our mixture.”  It is clear that God will not tolerate mixed “worship,” nor will
He accept a muddied covenant (“swear”).  If we worship Him “and” our other false gods (i.e. “the host
of heaven”), He will “let us go.”  If we make an oath with Him “and” do the same with all of our other
false gods, He will “cut” us off.

From the very beginning, He has made Himself crystal clear: “You shall have no other gods before or
besides Me” (Ex. 20:3, AMP).  In other words, the Lord must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.  He
is either our “first” love, or He isn’t - there is no middle ground.

If we put anyone or anything “before” Him, we are literally putting Him on “the back-burner” where is
He “secondary” in our affections.

If we put anyone or anything “beside” Him, we are really giving Him our “divided” attention.  In this
place, He literally gets “half” of us as we are split down the middle between many lovers.

To the Lord, this is unacceptable.  He wants all or nothing at all.  

This is Who He is.  He is not like us - He gives all.

But, again, the Lord is not done…


Verse 6) And [“I will cut off”] them that are turned back [who flinched, backslid and turned away –
Strong’s 5472] from the Lord; and those that have not sought [begged, required, searched for or
strived after - Strong’s 1245] the Lord, nor enquired [diligently required and searched - Strong’s
1875] for Him.

Now let’s read this verse from the Living Translation: “I will destroy those who formerly worshiped the
Lord, but now no longer do, and those who never loved him and never wanted to.”

Personally, this rendition of this verse really hits hard as it shows the severity of the Lord’s rejection
by those who have left Him or “never loved Him.”

I know this has already been addressed many times, but this is very serious…

Those who worship the Lord “and” their other gods “too” will be destroyed in the Day of the Lord “if”
they do not repent (change their minds and turn away from their present course of life).

Our “love” and “worship” will be reduced to its most common denominator and judged for what it really
is in “His” sight, not “ours.”  Those who “formerly” worshipped the Lord will be judged along with those
who “never loved him and never wanted to;” every indication of “duality” will be pinpointed and dealt
with.

However, if our worship is pure, we will pass the test.  But do not presume to fool the Lord for He
“…knoweth them that are His…” (2 Tim. 2:19, KJV).  He knows those who “belong” to Him and He
knows those who have “turned back” (backslidden).

And what will happen to those who “…have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him?”  They will be
“cut off.”

Therefore, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek
righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the Day of the Lord’s anger” (Zeph. 2:
3, KJV; also look at Ps. 32:6; 78:34; Hos. 10:12; Isa. 55:6; Amos 5:6).  (Remember, this was written to
Israel, a type of the Church.)

But “how” should we “seek the Lord?”

“…If…you seek the Lord your God, [then] you will find him IF you look for him with ALL your heart and
with ALL your soul” (Deut. 4:29, KJV).

Again, He wants “ALL” or nothing at all.  He wants our “whole” heart and not a part.


Verse 7) Hold thy peace [hush, be still, keep silent - Strong’s 2013] at the presence [the face -
Strong’s 6440] of the Lord God: for the Day of the Lord is at hand [it is nigh or near; it has
approached - Strong’s 7138]: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice [offering, slaughter - Strong’s
2077], He hath bid [invited, cried out to - Strong’s 7121] his guests.

In the midst of all this “righteous” judgment, we all have the tendency to make excuses or explain-
away our shortcomings.  When the Lord puts His finger on our “faults,” with the intention of
transforming our lives, we often get restless or mouthy; we “buck” Him, like a wild bull, in more ways
than one.  Even so, in the face of this, the prophet says, “Hold thy peace.”  In His presence, in His
day “before His face,” we would do well to “be still” and “quiet.”  Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Stop fighting the Lord. Just say, “yes” to His invitation.  He is calling you to come and partake of the
spoils of His offering, His sacrifice on the Cross.  He is crying out to you.  Repent - change your
mind.  The Day of the Lord has arrived and you are His guest.  

So honor your Host.


Verse 8) And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice [slaughter, offering – Strong’s
2007], that I will punish the princes [the leaders], and the king’s children [those who are second in
command], and all such as are clothed [wrapped – Strong’s 3847] with strange apparel.

“…The day of the Lord’s sacrifice…” is the day of worship when He is worshipped as He “should be”
worshipped.  In this day, He will continue to identify and clean out everything that is “strange” and “un-
related” to Him.

According to the Strong’s Concordance this “strange” apparel is literally “foreign, non-relative [un-
related to the Lord], adulterous [un-faithful to the Lord], alien, outlandish, different” apparel (#5247).

Compare this “strange apparel” with:

* The vestments of Baal - 2 Kings 10:22 [Baal is the Babylonian god; Babylon speaks of religious-
political confusion];

* The haughty apparel of the Daughters of Zion - Isa. 3:18-24;

* The wedding garment - Matt. 22:11-12;

* The clothing (“enduing”) of power - Lk. 24:49;

* The clothing of Christ - Gal. 4:27;

* The clothing of immortality - 1 Cor. 15:54 & 2 Cor. 5:2-4;

* The clothing of the Sun (direct light, direct revelation) - Rev. 12:1

What are you wearing?

Ephesians 4:22-24 (AMP) has some wisdom for us: “Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off
and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes
corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of
your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate
self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.”

And what are some characteristics of the “former nature” that we are to “put off” and “discard”?

Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) outlines “the works of the flesh” - of the “old unrenewed self” - which flow
from the unregenerate heart:

1) “Adultery” - “Illicit connection with a married person” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.  “Voluntary
sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married
woman and someone other than her husband” (Webster’s Dictionary).  Unfaithfulness, falseness,
treachery, disloyalty, infidelity, betrayal and “Apostasy.”

2) “Fornication” - “Harlotry, prostitution, adultery, incest; figuratively, idolatry” - Strong’s 4202.  
Webster’s defines “fornication” as “consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married
to each other.”  This sin, among many others, shouldn’t even be “named” among the saints as it is
not becoming of them (Eph. 5:3).  According to Revelation 2:20-22 (AMP), “fornication” was and is
one of Jezebel’s primary transgressions which she readily imparted (and presently imparts) to many
of God’s very own servants – this kind of “spirit” (like every unclean spirit) should never be “tolerated.”

3) “Uncleanness” - “Impurity (spiritually, physically or morally), foulness, lewdness” - Strong’s 167;
“whatever is opposite to purity; probably meaning here, as in Romans 1:24 and 2 Corinthians 12:21,
unnatural practices, sodomy, bestiality” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.  Webster’s defines
“uncleanness” as “moral or spiritual impurity.”  Anything that is related, in any way, to “all
uncleanness” shouldn’t even be “named” among the saints (Eph. 5:3) - Study Matt. 23:27, Rom 1:24
and 1 Thess. 4:7.

4) “Lasciviousness” - “Filthiness, wantonness” – Strong’s 766; “lawlessness” (Jude 4, AMP);
“pernicious ways” (2 Peter 2:2, KJV); “whatever is contrary to chastity; all lewdness” - Adam Clarke's
Commentary; there are four classes: “1) Sensuality; 2) Idolatry (1 Cor 8:7); 3) Malice, and, 4)
Excesses (Winer)” - Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown; study Mk. 7:21-22.  According to Webster’s
Dictionary, “Lasciviousness” is “the quality or state of being obscene.”

5) “Idolatry” - “Image-worship; service unto heathen, pagan idols (literally or figuratively)” - Strong’s
1495.  Colossians 3:5 (AMP) defines “idolatry” as “…sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy
desires, and all greed and covetousness…the deifying of self and other created things instead of
God.”  In 1 Corinthians 10:14 (AMP), the apostle Paul said,
“…My dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of
loving or venerating anything more than God).”

6) “Witchcraft” - “Magic, medication or drugs (a spell-giving drug, poison or potion), sorcery (literally
or figuratively)” - Strong’s 5331; “a medicine, poison, magic potion) means, properly, the preparing
and giving of medicine.  Then it means also poisoning, and also magic art, or enchantment; because
in savage nations pharmacy or medicine consisted much in magical incantations.  Thence it means
sorcery or enchantment, and it is so used uniformly in the New Testament.  It is used only in Gal 5:20;
Rev 9:21; 18:23; 21:8” - Barnes’ Notes. Witchcraft can also be defined as “counterfeit spiritual
authority; it is using an unholy spirit to dominate, manipulate or control others…Anything that we do
through manipulation, hype or soul power, regardless of how noble or spiritual our goals are, is done
in the counterfeit spiritual authority of witchcraft and is doomed to ultimate failure.” (Taken from
“Overcoming Witchcraft” by Rick Joyner).

7) “Hatred” - “Enmity, hostility; hatefulness; (passively, odious or actively) hostile” – Strong’s 2189;
“aversions and antipathies, when opposed to brotherly love and kindness” - Adam Clarke's
Commentary.  Webster’s defines “hatred” as “prejudiced hostility or animosity.”

8) “Variance” - “Contention, strife, debate, wrangling, quarreling” - Strong’s 2054; study 1 Cor. 1:11-
13, 1 Cor. 3:3-4.  Those who are given to this wicked spirit are disagreeable, contrary, dissenting,
deviant, discordant and inharmonious.

9) “Emulations” - “Envying, malice, heat, to be hot, to boil, indignation, jealousy, zeal, fervent mind” -
Strong’s 2205; “envies or emulations; that is strife to excel at the expense of another; lowering others
to set up one's self; unholy zeal, fervently adopting a bad cause, or supporting a good one by cruel
means. Inquisitions, pretending to support true religion by torturing and burning alive those who both
profess and practice it” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.  Those who are emulative endeavor, with great
ambition, to equal or excel others (in achievement) to the point of envious rivalry.

10) “Wrath” - “Passion (as if breathing hard), indignation, fierceness; to slaughter or kill; emotional
explosions” - Strong’s 2372; “turbulent passions, disturbing the harmony of the mind, and producing
domestic and civil broils and disquietudes” - Adam Clarke's Commentary. Webster’s Dictionary
defines “wrath” as “strong vengeful anger or indignation.”  Study Eph. 4:31 and Col. 3:8.

11) “Strife” - “Contentions, intrigue, factions; to stimulate or provoke (especially to anger)” - Strong’s
2052; “disputations, janglings, logomachics, or strife about words” - Adam Clarke's Commentary;
“factious practices, party spirit” - Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.  Webster’s defines
“strife” as a “bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension” and an “exertion or contention for
superiority.” The word “strife” is also synonymous with “discord, conflict and variance.”

12) “Seditions” - “Dis-unions, dissensions, divisions; insurrections, uproarings, controversies” -
Strong’s 1370 & 4714; “divisions into separate factions; parties, whether in the church or state” -
Adam Clarke's Commentary; Study Rom. 16:17 and 1 Cor. 3:3. Webster’s defines “seditions” as an
“incitement of, resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.”

13) “Heresies” - “To take for oneself, i.e. to prefer” - Strong’s 138; “properly, a choice, i.e. (specially)
a party or (abstractly) disunion; heresy [which is the Greek word itself], sect” – Strong’s 139;
“factions; parties in the church separating from communion with each other, and setting up altar
against altar. The word, which is harmless in itself, is here used in a bad sense. Instead of haireseis
(NT: 139) the Slavonic must have based its text on the Greek word skandala (NT: 4625), scandals
offences or stumbling-blocks” - Adam Clarke's Commentary; “as to sacred things (note, 1 Cor 11:19);
self-constituted parties [from haireo, to choose]. A schism is a recent split in a congregation, from a
difference in opinion, Heresy is a schism become inveterate (Augustine)” - Jamieson, Fausset, and
Brown Commentary. Look at 2 Pet. 2:1. Webster’s defines a “heresy” as an “adherence to a religious
opinion contrary to church dogma.”

14) “Envyings” - “Ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite)” – Strong’s 5355; “pain felt, and malignity
conceived, at the sight of excellence or happiness. A passion the most base and the least curable of
all that disgrace or degrade the fallen soul” - Adam Clarke's Commentary; Study Matt. 27:18, Mk. 15:
10, Rom 1:29, Gal 5:21, Phil 1:15, 1 Tim 6:4, Titus 3:3, James 4:5, 1 Peter 2:1.  According to Webster’
s Dictionary “envy” is defined as “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another,
joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.”  This wicked spirit is often accompanied by
inward “malice.”

15) “Murders” - “Murder signifies the destruction of human life; and as he who hates his brother in his
heart is ready to take away his life, so he is called a murderer. After all the casuistry of man, it does
not appear that the right of taking away a human life on any pretence, except for the crime of murder
belongs to any but the Maker and Judge of all men” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.  Webster’s defines
“murder” as “the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought.”  Notice that
“malice” often precedes “murder;” therefore, many of these aforementioned works of the flesh -
“envyings,” “strife,” “wrath,” “variance” and “hatred” - can lead to murder if not checked and “put off”
or “discarded” through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And let us also consider 1st John 3:15 (KJV) that
says, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him.”  Furthermore, it must be said that a close reading of 1st John shows that the opposite
of “hate” is “love” and there is not middle ground; one leads to “death,” while one leads to “life.”  
Therefore, a choice must be made.

16) “Drunkenness” - “Intoxication” - Strong’s 3178; “taking more wine or any kind of inebriating liquor
than is necessary for health; whatever unfits for public, domestic, or spiritual duties; even the cares of
the world, when they intoxicate the mind” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.

17) “Revellings” - “Rioting, a carousal (as if letting loose); to lay outstretched” - Strong’s 2970;
“lascivious feastings, with obscene songs, music, etc.” - Adam Clarke's Commentary.  Webster’s
defines “revel” as “to take intense pleasure or satisfaction.”

These works of the flesh are the natural (expected, normal, predictable) expressions of the “life” of
the soul - the mind, emotions and will - of the old, carnal, fleshy nature of Adam.

And yet “…they which do such things shall NOT inherit [obtain – Strong’s 2816] the kingdom of God”
for they are “strange” to Him.

Selah - take some time, pause and think about this - this is important.


Verse 9) In the same day [the Lord ’s day] also will I punish [visit and judge - Strong’s 6485] all those
that leap on [or over] the threshold [(sneak in through) the window sill (to steal) – Strong’s 4670],
which fill their masters’ houses with violence [injustice, unrighteousness, oppression, wrong-doing
and maltreatment - Strong’s 2555] and deceit [fraud, treachery, falsehood, craftiness and delusions -
Strong’s 4820].

Every form of unrighteousness will be punished despite our “sneaky masks.”  We can try to hide
behind our interpretation of how “we think” things are but He knows the truth and He is judging all
things on the basis of “His Word” (not our “ideas” of what His Word says).  All our delusions will face
His Truth and the line will be drawn as He lays out the “standard” of His Word.

In John 10:1, Jesus spoke of those whom Zephaniah saw - who seek to “leap on (over) the threshold”
- when He spoke of those who do not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climb up “some other
way;” these are those whom He called thieves, robbers and strangers (verse 5) who seek to fill the
house of God with “violence” (injustice and unrighteousness) and “deceit” (delusions and falsehood).  
This is a picture of the average church-going sinner (leadership and laity alike) who does not obey
the voice of the Shepherd (verse 2-4).


Verse 10) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall be the noise [voice or
sound - Strong’s 6963] of a cry [shriek - Strong’s 6818; intercession] from the fish gate, and an
howling [wailing - Strong’s 3213] from the second [“Second Quarter or Lower City”, Amp], and a great
crashing [the sound of ruin, affliction and hurt - Strong’s 6776] from the hills.

Using Moses’ Tabernacle as a model, we can clearly see three levels within this verse:

I. “The Fish Gate” [evangelism (Matt. 4:19; Mk. 1:17; Jer. 16:14-16); the Outer Court];

II. “The Second” [The “second” dimension of grace; the Holy Place], and;

III. “The Hills” [Zion; the Most Holy Place].

So you see, “that day” (the great and terrible day of the Lord) will have an effect on the “whole
house” of God.  No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you will experience “the noise of a
cry,” a “howling” or “a great crashing.”  And take special notice of those who are in the holy hill of
Zion (the Most Holy Place) - they will be hit the hardest, with a “great crashing” (Lk. 12:48).


Verse 11) Howl [wail], ye inhabitants of Maktesh [Mortor; a hollow place or part (of the city) - Strong’s
4388], for all the merchant people [traffickers - Strong’s 3667] are cut down [utterly silenced]; all they
that bear silver [redemption] are cut off [destroyed].

The name Maktesh speaks of “a hollow place”, an empty place where there is “no substance.”  Those
who live in this place, have a “hole” in their heart.  Therefore, their only comfort is in their “stuff,” their
merchandise.  And since this is their “god,” they rely heavily upon their “silver,” their “false”
redemption, to take away their never-ending guilt and shame. This is “why” they “howl.”

These “hollow-hearted” folk are, most often, the religious masses who resemble “Martha;” these “null-
n-void” believers are “cumbered about with much serving…careful and troubled about many things,”
looking high-n-low for some way to “fill in the blank” (Lk. 10:38-42).  Sadly, “Martha” is filling “the city,”
the organized church cause “Martha,” quite frankly, likes it when everything is “organized”
(“programmed”) to her comfort.

The name Maktesh also speaks of “a mortor” where herbs are crushed with a pestle.

Proverbs 27:22 (KJV) speaks of this “crushing”: “Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar
among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”  

Those who live as fools in the “hollow place” should wail in agony for they will be ground to powder.  
Yet even then, they will not depart from their “foolishness.”  Their silliness is so embedded within
them that it is almost impenetrable.    Therefore, they are in “need” of something much more severe
for the Lord loves them too much to let them go on in their foolishness.

So what could be worse than a crushing?  Well, let us see…


Verse 12) And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search [diligently search - Strong’s 2664]
Jerusalem with candles [lights, lamps, lanterns, burners - Strong’s 5216], and punish the men that are
settled [congealed, curdled, contented, darkened, preserved; thickened (as unracked wine, curdled
milk, clouded sky or frozen water - Strong’s 7087] on their lees [stagnant in spirit]: that say in their
heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

Those who are stagnant would do well to take heed of this; all care-less-ness and contentedness is
unacceptable in the Day of the Lord.  “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion…” (Amos 6:1, KJV).  Woe
to those who are “lukewarm” in “Laodicea” (Rev 3:14-22).  The Lord will take His time as He dissects
every square inch of Jerusalem (His Church); He will search out every dark corner and crevice.

This is very serious.  Be sure that you are not grafted to the couch of your own comfort, settled in the
place of your own religious, self-serving appetites, filling your belly with the fat of your own pleasures.

Concerning “ease,” Job had much to say:

“I was at ease, but He [the Lord, in His love] hath broken me asunder: He [the Lord] hath also taken
me by my neck [my will], and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for His mark” (Job 16:12, KJV).

I like those first five words, especially that fifth word, “I was at ease, but…” I don’t know about you but I
like it when the Lord “buts in” and “deals” with “self” (forgive the pun).

In addition, compare Job 16:12 with Jeremiah 48:11-12 (AMP):

“Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees [like wine] and has not been
drawn off from one vessel to another [purified], neither has he gone into exile [the wilderness, the
place of testing]. Therefore his taste remains in him, and his scent has not changed [he is the same
as he was]. Therefore behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I shall send to [Moab] tilters
[five-fold ministry, Eph 4:11-16] who shall tilt him up and shall empty his vessels and break his bottles
(earthenware) in pieces.”

God’s dealings with “ease” are certainly consistent; He never changes.

It is God’s mercy that causes Him to work in our lives to break our lazy hearts.  It is His love that
shakes us by the neck of our will.  Those who are spiritually mature understand that it is the Father’s
“good pleasure” to bruise them (Isa. 53:10); it is “Precious” in His sight (Ps. 116:15, KJV).  Therefore,
they do not run from Him.  Rather they run to Him for His bruisings are for their good; to the spiritual
mind, His judgments are a delight - His rod is a comfort (Ps. 23).  Like any “good” parent, He “spanks”
His children because He loves them (Rev. 3:19).

The Day of the Lord is the Day of His justice, where He personally brings all of “our” dis-orders into
union with the righteousness of His perfect order.

Let us be honest: “Our way” has crippled us in more ways then one, in even the smallest areas of our
lives, and we know that we must be delivered from ourselves.  Sure, “our way” seems good (“like”
God) at first, but in the end, it is the way of death (Prov. 14:12; 16:25).  In truth, we are not as smart
or as strong as we think.  Therefore, our perception of the way things are and the way God sees
them are two entirely different things; this is why we need His “adjustments.”  

Those who have set their “love” upon the will of God will seek His judgments in earnest prayer (Ps. 7:
8; 26:1; 43:1; 50:3-6; 54:1; 75:7; 82:8; 94:2; 96:10-13; 135:14). Like David, the sweet psalmist of
Israel, their daily plea will be clear:

“Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Thy righteousness…” (Ps. 35:24, KJV).  Judgment
according to “any other” righteousness simply will not do.

As we progress into a deeper passion for “His judgments,” we will be freed from the bondage of “the
opinions of men,” which are “shifting sands,” for we will experientially grow in our understanding of
just how “right” (righteous) He is.

Nevertheless, those who “are” contented in their way and passive in their faith will be illuminated by
the “Light” of the Truth of God’s Word; everything will be laid out before the One Who will “…bring to
light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts…” (1 Cor. 4:5, NKJV).
Everything which has been said “…in the dark will be heard in the daylight…” and what has been
“…whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs” (Lk. 12:3, NIV).

Every saint will be weighed in the balances and “when” they are found wanting (Dan. 5:27), He will
bring them into sound discipline…


Verse 13) Therefore their goods [riches, resources, virtue - Strong’s 2428] shall become a booty
[plunder, spoil - Strong’s 4933], and their houses [households] a desolation: they shall also build
houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

So what is the result of being “settled in complacency?”  What is the by-product of “contentedness”?  
Verse thirteen tells us:

Those woe are “settled on their lees” will never reap the benefits of all they have “planted” or “built;” it
will be as if they never worked at all.

So you see, the Day is coming and now is when the Lord will recompense “our own” way upon our
heads “in the earth” (see Ps. 18:20; Prov. 11:31; 12:14; Isa. 66:6; Jer. 25:14).  To the degree that we
live for ourselves, passive and at ease, settled within the confines of our own world, He will make all
our efforts fruitless; He will curse our harvest before we ever plant a seed.

Note also that this “same” judgment was given in Deuteronomy 28:30 for those would “…not obey the
voice of the Lord…to observe carefully ALL His commandments and…statutes” which He commanded
them to heed (Deut 28:15, NKJV).

Obviously, there is much that can be said in favor of “obeying the voice of God.”

If you wish to know the “blessings” of obedience you can find them by studying Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

On the other hand, if you would like to know the “curses” for dis-obedience, just study Deuteronomy
28:15-68 [Note: There are almost four times as many “curses” for rebellion as there are “blessings”
for submission - this is important to remember.].

Yet still, Zephaniah’s prophecy continues…


Verse 14) The great day of the Lord is near [nigh, at hand, has approached - Strong’s 7138], it is
near, and hasteth [hurries, speedeth - Strong’s 4118] greatly, even the voice [sound, noise, call,
song, thundering, crying, proclamation - Strong’s 6963] of the day of the Lord: the mighty [valiant,
strong, powerful, chief] man [the giant, champion, warrior, tyrant - Strong’s 1368] shall cry there
bitterly [angrily - Strong’s 4751].

The Lord’s Day “is here” - upon us - and so is His voice.  Even now, “The Lord roars from Zion and
utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble…” (Joel 3:16, NASU).  Can
you hear Him?  What is He saying?  Are you trembling at His Word?

If you are His sheep then you can hear His voice and follow Him. And you will follow Him to the degree
that you know His voice. This basic to Christianity.

At Mount Sinai, the “voice” of God shook the earth but now He has given a promise; if you are His
sheep, then you can hear what He is saying:

“Yet once more I will shake…not only the earth but also the [starry] heavens.”  On a personal,
spiritual level, this shaking is imperative if we are to experience a “new heaven” and a “new earth”
which speaks of a “new mind” and a “new body” (Rev. 21:1).

But this expression, “‘yet once more,’ indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can
be] shaken - that is, of that which has been created - in order that what cannot be shaken may
remain and continue. Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be
shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and
godly fear and awe; for our God [is indeed] a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:26-29, AMP).


Verse 15) That day [of the Lord] is a day of wrath [rage, anger, an outburst of passion – Strong’s
5678], a day of trouble [tribulation, affliction, tightness, adversity – Strong’s 6869] and distress
[affliction, trouble, narrowness – Strong’s 4691], a day of wasteness [devastation, storms – Strong’s
7722] and desolation [ruin, waste – Strong’s 4875], a day of darkness [ignorance, wickedness,
misery, sorrow, night, obscurity – Strong’s 2822] and gloominess [duskiness, darkness, misfortune –
Strong’s 653], a day of clouds [thunder-cloud, as covering the sky – Strong’s 6051] and thick
darkness [gross darkness – Strong’s 6205],

Again, as I stated earlier, the wrath of God is reserved for “the children of disobedience,” not the
sons of obedience who are His true sheep and “the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14, 19; Eph. 5:6; Phil. 2:15;
Col. 3:6; 1 Jn. 3:1-2).

There is a place of divine immunity within the favor of God for those who “hear and obey” His Word
from His mouth; when the winds come and the rain fall, they will be safe and sound (see Matt. 7:24-
27).


Verse 16) [The Day of the Lord is] A day of the trumpet [curved horn, clear sound - Strong’s 7782]
and alarm [a clamor, battle-cry, shouting - Strong’s 8643] against the fenced [isolated, cut off, walled,
inaccessible - Strong’s 1219] cities, and against the high [elevated, arrogant, proud, haughty - Strong’
s 1364] towers [bulwarks, chiefs, chieftains - Strong’s 6438].

The day of the Lord is the “day of the trumpet” of the clear expression of God’s Word (His will and
intention).

Those who have been “hiding” behind their “fences” (prejudices, fears, insecurities) and within their
“high towers” (dwellings of pride, high-mindedness, self-exaltation) will be overthrown by the “trumpet”
and “alarm” of Joel 2:1 which will hasten the Army of God and “send” them (apostolically) to do His
bidding.


Verse 17) And I will bring distress [affliction, narrowness, vexation, cramps - Strong’s 6887] upon
men [Adam - Strong’s 120], that they shall walk like blind men [who have had their eyes “put out” or
live with a “film over their eyes” - Strong’s 5786], because they have sinned [offended, transgressed -
Strong’s 2398] against the Lord: and their blood [“their life”; the “life” of their soul, their mind, will and
emotions] shall be poured [gushed - Strong’s 8210] out as dust [mud, earth, ashes, rubbish - Strong’
s 6083], and their flesh as the dung [balls of dung - Strong’s 1561].

Adam’s “life” (the “life” of the flesh of the carnal man) will never survive the Day of the Lord.  His Light
will blind their darkness and His Life will extinguish their death.  

Woe unto those who have sinned against the Lord, especially those who carry the title of “Christian”
but do not bear the heart of Christ.  Their personal “blood” (life) and “flesh” (self) will be properly
dealt with.  All of the “rubbish” which they have invested their lives in will be poured out like “ashes”
from an urn.  Their “flesh” will be seen for what it really is: “Balls of dung.”


Verse 18) Neither their silver (“their idea” of redemption) nor their gold (“their idea” of Christ-likeness
or the Divine nature) shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath [outburst of passion
(anger or rage) - Strong’s 5678]; but the whole land [“their” whole world] shall be devoured [burned
up, consumed - Strong’s 398] by the fire of his jealousy [envy, zeal - Strong’s 6078]: for he shall
make even a speedy riddance [a swift and complete end - Strong’s 3617] of all them that dwell in the
land [who selfishly live in “their” own world].

He Whose very name is “Jealous” will devour, by His fire (Deut. 4:24; 9:3; Heb. 12:29), those who
have shared their love with “both” Him “and” all their false gods (i.e. mixed affections and dual
loyalties).

Galatians 6:7-8 (AMP) gives us a solemn warning - let the reader take heed:

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned,
disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He
inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only
is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh
reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap…life.”  

In the final analysis, when the justice of God is fully present to make a speedy riddance of all
unrighteousness, our false, religious ideas of the grace and mercy of God (the “gold” and “silver”) will
not be “able to deliver” us in the day of the Lord’s wrath.  Our “American Gospel,” with its “greasy
grace” and “sloppy agape,” will not save us when the Supreme Judge of all mankind stands to
righteously pronounce His verdict over our lives.

Even now, the Lord is setting His standard and enforcing it in His Body - Remember, judgment
“begins” with the household of God (the “believers”).  He is now addressing every “believer,” on a
personal level, with one intention: to bring them, through a forming process, into the exact likeness of
His Son. This is His ultimate purpose and has been His singular intention since the beginning.

Those who desire His will will not resist His dealings; in fact, they will seek them with all their heart,
mind and strength for His will is their “meat.” They will cry, “Lord judge me; wash me; make me white
as snow.” Out of humility, they will bow low before His greatness in thought, word and deed, fully
distrusting themselves and trusting Him. With a broken and contrite heart, they will repent (change
their mind and turn around) and God will favor them for He gives His grace to the humble.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit”
(Ps. 34:18, KJV).

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps.
51:17, KJV).

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high
and lofty place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isa. 57:15, KJV).

The Lord says, “…To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at My Word” (Isa. 66:2, KJV).

Therefore, “…Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble”
(1 Pet. 5:5, KJV).

Click here to read part three of the Day of the Lord.