The joy is Coming!

Read Zephaniah 3.

The day of the LORD refers to God's judgment on this earth during the second half of the Great Tribulation and the great joy that will follow during the earthly Millennial Kingdom.  After two chapters of judgment upon the world, the Holy Spirit gave Zephaniah five insights into that 1000-year reign of Christ.

1. Jesus will restore the nations. (vv.9-10)
Morally and spiritually the world will be changed.  No more speaking against God or cursing Him.  All speech and behaviors will be pure as the people make their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will be sitting on the throne.

2. Jesus will redeem Israel. (vv.11-13)
All that Jeremiah 31 promised in the New Covenant will become a reality for Israel.  Their sins will be forgiven and Jerusalem will truly be a Holy City at peace.  This will not be the result of international negotiations, but, as Revelation 19 explains, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace will put down and destroy all those who oppose Him.

3. Jesus will cause Israel to rejoice. (v.14)
Singing will replace shooting.  Israel will be shouting praises to Jesus.  They will be rejoicing and celebrating their salvation in the Messiah.

4. Jesus will rule from Jerusalem. (vv.15-17)
His presence will remove all judgments and threats against the Jews and they will live without fear in the land.

5. Jesus will restore the fortunes of Israel. (vv.18-20)
Seven times in these verses God states "I will."  First, He will gather them.  Next, He will change them from being despised in the world to being praised.  Then, they will see His power as He gives back to them all that had been lost, taken from them, and/or withheld.

As believers in Jesus, we, who are not Jews but grafted into the family of God by faith, will witness these events and more as we rejoice with them in that day.