Jehovah’s Day of Judgment Is Near!

“The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much.”​—ZEPHANIAH 1:14.

1. What warning did God issue through Zephaniah?

JEHOVAH GOD is about to swing into action against the wicked. Listen! This is his warning: “I shall finish off earthling man . . . I will cut off mankind from the surface of the ground.” (Zephaniah 1:3) Those words of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah were spoken through his prophet Zephaniah, perhaps the great-great-grandson of faithful King Hezekiah. That pronouncement, made in the days of good King Josiah, did not bode well for the wicked ones residing in the land of Judah.

2. Why did Josiah’s actions not forestall Jehovah’s day of judgment?

² Zephaniah’s prophesying undoubtedly heightened young Josiah’s awareness of the need to purge Judah of unclean worship. But the king’s actions in purging the land of false religion did not remove all wickedness from among the people or atone for the sins of his grandfather, King Manasseh, who had “filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.” (2 Kings 24:3, 4; 2 Chronicles 34:3) So Jehovah’s day of judgment was sure to come.

3. How can we be sure that it is possible to survive “the day of Jehovah’s anger”?

³ Yet, there would be survivors of that fear-inspiring day. Therefore, God’s prophet urged: “Before the statute gives birth to anything, before the day has passed by just like chaff, before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah’s anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:2, 3) With the hope of survival during Jehovah’s day of judgment in mind, let us undertake a consideration of the Bible book of Zephaniah. Written in Judah before 648 B.C.E., it is part of God’s “prophetic word,” to which all of us should wholeheartedly pay attention.​—2 Peter 1:19.

Jehovah’s Hand Stretched Out

4, 5. How was Zephaniah 1:1-3 fulfilled upon wicked ones in Judah?

⁴ “The word of Jehovah” to Zephaniah starts with the warning cited earlier. God declares: “‘I shall without fail finish everything off the surface of the ground,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. ‘I shall finish off earthling man and beast. I shall finish off the flying creature of the heavens and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked ones; and I will cut off mankind from the surface of the ground,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”​—Zephaniah 1:1-3.

⁵ Yes, Jehovah was going to bring gross wickedness to an end in the land of Judah. Whom would God use to “finish everything off the surface of the ground”? Since Zephaniah apparently prophesied during the early part of King Josiah’s reign, which began in 659 B.C.E., those prophetic words found a fulfillment in the desolation of Judah and her capital city, Jerusalem, at Babylonian hands in 607 B.C.E. At that time, there was a ‘finishing off’ of wicked ones in Judah.

6-8. What was foretold at Zephaniah 1:4-6, and how was that prophecy fulfilled in ancient Judah?

⁶ Foretelling God’s acts against false worshipers, Zephaniah 1:4-6 says: “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off from this place the remaining ones of the Baal, the name of the foreign-god priests along with the priests, and those who are bowing down upon the roofs to the army of the heavens, and those who are bowing down, making sworn oaths to Jehovah and making sworn oaths by Malcam; and those who are drawing back from following Jehovah and who have not sought Jehovah and have not inquired of him.”

⁷ Jehovah’s hand was stretched out against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He was determined to cut off in death the worshipers of the Canaanite fertility god Baal. Various local deities were called Baals because their worshipers thought of them as possessing and having influence over particular localities. For instance, there was the Baal worshiped by Moabites and Midianites at Mount Peor. (Numbers 25:1, 3, 6) Throughout Judah, Jehovah would cut off the priests of Baal, as well as unfaithful priestly Levites who were violating God’s law by having fellowship with them.​—Exodus 20:2, 3.

⁸ God would also cut off those ‘bowing down to the army of the heavens,’ evidently practicing astrology and worshiping the sun. (2 Kings 23:11; Jeremiah 19:13; 32:29) Divine wrath would also be unleashed upon those trying to mix true worship with false religion by ‘making sworn oaths to Jehovah and by Malcam.’ Malcam is possibly another name for Molech, the chief god of the Ammonites. The worship of Molech included child sacrifice.​—1 Kings 11:5; Jeremiah 32:35.

Christendom’s End at Hand!

9. (a) Of what is Christendom guilty? (b) Unlike the unfaithful ones of Judah, what should we be determined to do?

⁹ All of this may well remind us of Christendom, steeped in false worship and astrology. And her role in the sacrificing of millions of lives on the altar of clergy-supported warfare is disgusting indeed! Let us never be like the unfaithful ones of Judah, who ‘drew back from following Jehovah,’ becoming indifferent and no longer searching for him or seeking his guidance. Instead, let us maintain our integrity to God.

10. How would you explain the prophetic significance of Zephaniah 1:7?

¹⁰ The prophet’s next words fit both Judah’s wrongdoers and wicked ones of our day. Says Zephaniah 1:7: “Keep silence before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah; for the day of Jehovah is near, for Jehovah has prepared a sacrifice; he has sanctified his invited ones.” These “invited ones” apparently were the Chaldean foes of Judah. The “sacrifice” was Judah herself, including her capital city. Zephaniah thus announced God’s purpose to destroy Jerusalem, and this prophecy also pointed to the destruction of Christendom. In fact, with God’s day of judgment so near today, all the world should ‘keep silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah’ and hear what he says through the “little flock” of Jesus’ anointed followers and their companions, his “other sheep.” (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Annihilation awaits all who will not listen and who thereby set themselves against rule by God’s Kingdom.​—Psalm 2:1, 2.

Soon​—A Day of Howling!

11. What is the essence of Zephaniah 1:8-11?

¹¹ Regarding Jehovah’s day, Zephaniah 1:8-11 adds: “‘It must occur on the day of Jehovah’s sacrifice that I will give attention to the princes, and to the sons of the king, and to all those wearing foreign attire. And I will give attention to everyone that is climbing upon the platform in that day, those who are filling the house of their masters with violence and deception. And there must occur on that day,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘the sound of an outcry from the Fish Gate, and a howling from the second quarter, and a great crashing from the hills. Howl, you inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the people who are tradesmen have been silenced; all those weighing out silver have been cut off.’”

12. How is it that some are found “wearing foreign attire”?

¹² King Josiah would be succeeded by Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin. Then would come Zedekiah’s rule, marked by the destruction of Jerusalem. Although such calamity was facing them, some apparently sought the acceptance of neighboring nations by “wearing foreign attire.” Similarly, many today make it evident in various ways that they are not part of Jehovah’s organization. As demonstrably part of Satan’s organization, they will be punished.

13. In harmony with Zephaniah’s prophecy, what was to happen when the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem?

¹³ “That day” of accounting for Judah corresponds to Jehovah’s day to execute judgment upon his enemies, to end wickedness, and to prove his supremacy. As the Babylonians attacked Jerusalem, an outcry would come from the Fish Gate. Possibly it was so named because it was near the fish market. (Nehemiah 13:16) Babylon’s hordes would enter the sector called the second quarter, and the “crashing from the hills” may denote the sound of the approaching Chaldeans. There would be “a howling” by the inhabitants of Maktesh, perhaps the upper Tyropoeon Valley. Why would they howl? Because commercial activity, including that of “those weighing out silver,” would cease there.

14. How far-reaching would God’s examination of his professed worshipers be?

¹⁴ How far-reaching would Jehovah’s examination of his professed worshipers be? The prophecy continues: “It must occur at that time that I shall carefully search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will give attention to the men who are congealing upon their dregs and who are saying in their heart, ‘Jehovah will not do good, and he will not do bad.’ And their wealth must come to be for pillage and their houses for a desolate waste. And they will build houses, but they will not have occupancy; and they will plant vineyards, but they will not drink the wine of them.”​—Zephaniah 1:12, 13.

15. (a) What was going to happen to the apostate priests of Jerusalem? (b) What is in store for present-day practicers of false religion?

¹⁵ The apostate priests of Jerusalem were mixing the worship of Jehovah with false religion. Although they felt secure, God would seek them out as with bright lamps that would penetrate the spiritual darkness wherein they had taken refuge. None would escape the proclamation and execution of divine judgment. Those complacent apostates had settled down like dregs at the bottom of a wine vat. They did not want to be disturbed by any declaration of divine intervention in human affairs, but they would not escape the execution of God’s judgment upon them. There will also be no escape for present-day practicers of false religion, including members of Christendom and those who have apostatized from Jehovah’s worship. Denying that these are “the last days,” they say in their heart, “Jehovah will not do good, and he will not do bad.” How wrong they are!​—2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3, 4, 10.

16. What was to happen when divine judgment was executed upon Judah, and how should knowledge of that affect us?

¹⁶ Judah’s apostates were warned that the Babylonians would pillage their wealth, desolate their houses, and take the fruitage of their vineyards. Material things would be valueless when divine judgment was executed upon Judah. The same will be true when Jehovah’s day of judgment comes upon the present system of things. May we, therefore, have a spiritual outlook and ‘store up treasures in heaven’ by keeping Jehovah’s service first in our lives!​—Matthew 6:19-21, 33.

“The Great Day of Jehovah Is Near”

17. According to Zephaniah 1:14-16, how close is Jehovah’s day of judgment?

¹⁷ How close is Jehovah’s day of judgment? According to Zephaniah 1:14-16, God gives this assurance: “The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much. The sound of the day of Jehovah is bitter. There a mighty man is letting out a cry. That day is a day of fury, a day of distress and of anguish, a day of storm and of desolation, a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick gloom, a day of horn and of alarm signal, against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers.”

18. Why should we not conclude that Jehovah’s day of judgment is a long way off?

¹⁸ Judah’s sinful priests, princes, and people were warned that ‘the great day of Jehovah was near.’ For Judah there would be ‘a hurrying of Jehovah’s day very much.’ Similarly in our time, let no one think that the execution of Jehovah’s judgment upon the wicked will occur in the distant future. Rather, as God acted quickly in Judah, so he will ‘hurry’ his executional day. (Revelation 16:14, 16) What a bitter time that will be for all who ignore Jehovah’s warnings given by his Witnesses and who fail to embrace true worship!

19, 20. (a) What were some features of the execution of God’s wrath upon Judah and Jerusalem? (b) In view of the selective destruction facing this system of things, what questions are raised?

¹⁹ The execution of God’s wrath upon Judah and Jerusalem was “a day of distress and of anguish.” Babylonian invaders caused Judah’s inhabitants many sufferings, including mental anguish in the face of death and destruction. That “day of storm and of desolation” was one of darkness, clouds, and thick gloom, perhaps not only figuratively but also literally, for smoke and carnage were everywhere. It was “a day of horn and of alarm signal,” but warnings were sounded in vain.

²⁰ Jerusalem’s watchmen were helpless as Babylonian battering rams toppled “the high corner towers.” Fortifications of the present wicked system of things will be just as useless against the weaponry in God’s heavenly arsenal, ready for his early use in selective destruction. Do you hope to be spared? Have you taken a firm stand on the side of Jehovah, ‘who guards all those loving him but who will annihilate all the wicked ones’?​—Psalm 145:20.

21, 22. How will Zephaniah 1:17, 18 be fulfilled in our day?

²¹ What a horrendous day of judgment was foretold at Zephaniah 1:17, 18! “I will cause distress to mankind,” says Jehovah God, “and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against Jehovah that they have sinned. And their blood will actually be poured out like dust, and their bowels like the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

²² As he did in the days of Zephaniah, Jehovah will soon bring distress upon “all the inhabitants of the earth,” those who refuse to heed his warning. Because they sin against God, they will walk about as helpless as blind men, unable to find deliverance. In Jehovah’s day of judgment, their blood “will actually be poured out like dust,” as something worthless. Theirs will be a disgraceful end indeed, for God will strew the bodies​—even the entrails—​of these wicked ones upon the earth, “like the dung.”

23. Though wrongdoers will not escape “in the day of Jehovah’s fury,” what hope does Zephaniah’s prophecy hold out?

²³ Nobody can save those who fight against God and his people. Neither silver nor gold could deliver the wrongdoers of Judah, even as hoarded wealth and bribes will provide no protection or escape “in the day of Jehovah’s fury” upon Christendom and the rest of this system of things. In that day of decision, “the whole earth will be devoured” by the fire of God’s zeal as he exterminates the wicked. Because we have faith in God’s prophetic word, we are convinced that we are now deep in “the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4) Jehovah’s day of judgment is near, and he will soon execute vengeance on his enemies. Yet, Zephaniah’s prophecy does hold out the hope of deliverance. What, then, is required of us if we are to be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger?

Seek Jehovah Before the Day of His Anger

“Seek Jehovah . . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”​—ZEPHANIAH 2:3.

1. What was the spiritual condition of Judah when Zephaniah began his prophetic work?

ZEPHANIAH began his prophetic work at a critical time in Judah’s history. The spiritual condition of the nation was at a low ebb. Instead of putting their trust in Jehovah, the people were looking to pagan priests and astrologers for guidance. Baal worship, with its fertility rites, was rampant in the land. The civil leaders​—the princes, the nobles, and the judges—​were oppressing the very ones they were supposed to protect. (Zephaniah 1:9; 3:3) No wonder Jehovah decided to ‘stretch out his hand’ against Judah and Jerusalem in order to destroy them!​—Zephaniah 1:4.

2. What hope was there for God’s faithful servants in Judah?

² As bad as the situation was, however, there was a glimmer of hope. Amon’s son Josiah was now on the throne. Although he was a mere boy, Josiah genuinely loved Jehovah. If the new king restored pure worship in Judah, how heartening that would be for the few who were faithfully serving God! Others might be moved to join them and also be preserved in the day of Jehovah’s anger.

Requirements for Preservation

3, 4. What three requirements must be met in order for an individual to be spared in “the day of Jehovah’s anger”?

³ Could some individuals really be spared in the day of Jehovah’s anger? Yes, provided that they met the three conditions outlined at Zephaniah 2:2, 3. As we read these verses, let us take special note of these requirements. Zephaniah wrote: “Before the statute gives birth to anything, before the day has passed by just like chaff, before there comes upon you people the burning anger of Jehovah, before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah’s anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”

⁴ For preservation, then, a person had to (1) seek Jehovah, (2) seek righteousness, and (3) seek meekness. These requirements should be of great interest to us today. Why? Because just as Judah and Jerusalem faced a day of reckoning in the seventh century B.C.E., the nations of Christendom​—in fact, all wicked ones—​are heading for a showdown with Jehovah God at the coming “great tribulation.” (Matthew 24:21) Any who desire to be concealed at that time must take decisive action now. How? By seeking Jehovah, seeking righteousness, and seeking meekness before it is too late!

5. What is involved in ‘seeking Jehovah’ today?

⁵ You might say: ‘I am a dedicated, baptized servant of God, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Have I not already met those requirements?’ Actually, more is involved than dedicating ourselves to Jehovah. Israel was a dedicated nation, but in Zephaniah’s day the people of Judah were not living up to that dedication. As a result, the nation was eventually cast off. ‘Seeking Jehovah’ today involves developing and maintaining a warm personal relationship with him in association with his earthly organization. It means getting to know how God views matters and being attentive to his feelings. We seek Jehovah when we carefully study his Word, meditate upon it, and apply its counsel in life. As we also seek Jehovah’s guidance in fervent prayer and follow the leading of his holy spirit, our relationship with him deepens and we are impelled to serve him ‘with all our heart, soul, and vital force.’​—Deuteronomy 6:5; Galatians 5:22-25; Philippians 4:6, 7; Revelation 4:11.

6. How do we “seek righteousness,” and why is this possible even in this world?

⁶ The second requirement mentioned at Zephaniah 2:3 is to “seek righteousness.” Most of us made important changes so that we could qualify for Christian baptism, but we must continue to uphold God’s righteous standards throughout our life. Some who started out well in this respect have allowed themselves to be sullied by the world. It is not easy to seek righteousness, for we are surrounded by people who view sexual immorality, lying, and other sins as normal. Yet, a strong desire to please Jehovah can overpower any tendency to seek the world’s approval by trying to blend in with it. Judah lost God’s favor because of mimicking her ungodly neighboring nations. Instead of imitating the world, then, let us be “imitators of God,” cultivating “the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”​—Ephesians 4:24; 5:1.

7. How do we “seek meekness”?

⁷ The third point made at Zephaniah 2:3 is that if we want to be hidden in the day of Jehovah’s anger, we must “seek meekness.” Each day, we rub shoulders with men, women, and young people who are anything but meek. To them, being mild-tempered is a flaw. Submissiveness is considered a serious weakness. They are demanding, selfish, and opinionated, believing that their personal “rights” and preferences must be accommodated at all costs. How sad it would be if some of those attitudes were to rub off on us! This is the time to “seek meekness.” How? By being submissive to God, humbly accepting his discipline and conforming to his will.

Why “Probably” Concealed?

8. What is indicated by the use of the word “probably” at Zephaniah 2:3?

⁸ Notice that Zephaniah 2:3 says: “Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.” Why is the word “probably” used when addressing the “meek ones of the earth”? Well, those meek ones had taken positive steps, but there was no room for self-confidence. They had not come to the end of their life course in faithfulness. It was conceivable that some of them might fall into sin. The same is true of us. Jesus said: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) Yes, salvation in the day of Jehovah’s anger depends upon our continuing to do what is right in his eyes. Is that your firm resolve?

9. What upright steps were taken by young King Josiah?

⁹ Apparently in response to Zephaniah’s words, King Josiah was moved to “seek Jehovah.” The Scriptures say: “In the eighth year of his reigning, while [Josiah] was still a boy [about 16 years old], he started to search for [or, “to seek,” New International Version] the God of David his forefather.” (2 Chronicles 34:3) Josiah also kept on ‘seeking righteousness,’ for we read: “In the twelfth year [when Josiah was about 20 years old] he started to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places and the sacred poles and the graven images and the molten statues. Further, they pulled down before him the altars of the Baals.” (2 Chronicles 34:3, 4) Josiah ‘sought meekness’ too, humbly acting to please Jehovah by cleansing the land of idolatry and other false religious practices. How other meek ones must have rejoiced over those developments!

10. What happened in Judah in 607 B.C.E., but who were spared?

¹⁰ Many Jews turned back to Jehovah during Josiah’s reign. After the king’s death, however, most returned to their old ways​—to practices totally unacceptable to God. As Jehovah had decreed, the Babylonians overran Judah and destroyed her capital city, Jerusalem, in 607 B.C.E. Yet, all was not lost. The prophet Jeremiah, the Ethiopian Ebed-melech, the descendants of Jonadab, and others faithful to God were concealed in that day of Jehovah’s anger.​—Jeremiah 35:18, 19; 39:11, 12, 15-18.

God’s Enemies​—Take Note!

11. Why is it a challenge to remain faithful to God today, but what would enemies of Jehovah’s people do well to consider?

¹¹ While we await the day of Jehovah’s anger upon this wicked system, we “meet with various trials.” (James 1:2) In a number of lands claiming to value freedom of worship, manipulative clergymen have used their influence with the secular authorities in order to bring vicious persecution upon God’s people. Unscrupulous men slander Jehovah’s Witnesses, branding them “a dangerous cult.” God is aware of their actions​—and these will not go unpunished. His foes would do well to consider what happened to such ancient enemies of his people as the Philistines. Says the prophecy: “As regards Gaza, an abandoned city is what she will become; and Ashkelon is to be a desolate waste. As regards Ashdod, at high noon they will drive her out; and as regards Ekron, she will be uprooted.” The Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron would be devastated.​—Zephaniah 2:4-7.

12. What happened to Philistia, Moab, and Ammon?

¹² The prophecy continues: “I have heard the reproach by Moab and the abusive words of the sons of Ammon, with which they have reproached my people and kept putting on great airs against their territory.” (Zephaniah 2:8) True, Egypt and Ethiopia suffered at the hands of Babylonian invaders. But what was God’s judgment against Moab and Ammon, nations that descended from Abraham’s nephew Lot? Jehovah foretold: “Moab herself will become just like Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah.” Unlike their ancestresses​—Lot’s two daughters, who survived the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—​proud Moab and Ammon would not be concealed from God’s judgments. (Zephaniah 2:9-12; Genesis 19:16, 23-26, 36-38) Today, where is Philistia and where are its cities? What about once proud Moab and Ammon? Search though you may, you cannot find them.

13. What archaeological discovery was made in Nineveh?

¹³ In Zephaniah’s day, the Assyrian Empire was at the apex of its power. Describing one section of a royal palace that he had uncovered in the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, archaeologist Austen Layard wrote: “The ceilings . . . were divided into square compartments, painted with flowers, or with the figures of animals. Some were inlaid with ivory, each compartment being surrounded by elegant borders and mouldings. The beams, as well as the sides of the chambers, may have been gilded, or even plated, with gold and silver; and the rarest woods, in which the cedar was conspicuous, were used for the woodwork.” As foretold in Zephaniah’s prophecy, though, Assyria was to be destroyed and its capital city, Nineveh, would become “a desolate waste.”​—Zephaniah 2:13.

14. How was Zephaniah’s prophecy fulfilled upon Nineveh?

¹⁴ Only 15 years after Zephaniah spoke that prophecy, mighty Nineveh was destroyed, its royal palace being reduced to rubble. Yes, that proud city was brought down to the dust. The extent of the devastation was vividly foretold in these words: “Both pelican and porcupine will spend the night right among her [fallen] pillar capitals. A voice will keep singing in the window. There will be devastation at the threshold.” (Zephaniah 2:14, 15) Nineveh’s stately buildings would be fit only as a dwelling place for porcupines and pelicans. Gone from the city streets would be the sounds of commerce, the cries of warriors, the chants of priests. In those once bustling thoroughfares, there would be heard only a voice singing eerily in the window, perhaps the plaintive song of a bird or the howl of the wind. In like manner, may all of God’s enemies come to their end!

15. What can be learned from what happened to Philistia, Moab, Ammon, and Assyria?

¹⁵ What can we learn from what happened to Philistia, Moab, Ammon, and Assyria? This: As Jehovah’s servants, we have nothing to fear from our enemies. God sees what is done by those who oppose his people. Jehovah took action against his enemies in the past, and his judgments will be brought upon the entire inhabited earth today. Yet, there will be survivors​—‘a great crowd out of all nations.’ (Revelation 7:9) You may be among them​—but only if you continue to seek Jehovah, seek righteousness, and seek meekness.

Woe to Insolent Wrongdoers!

16. What did Zephaniah’s prophecy say about Judah’s princes and religious leaders, and why do these words fit Christendom?

¹⁶ Zephaniah’s prophecy again focuses on Judah and Jerusalem. Says Zephaniah 3:1, 2: “Woe to her that is rebelling and polluting herself, the oppressive city! She did not listen to a voice; she did not accept discipline. In Jehovah she did not trust. To her God she did not draw near.” How tragic that Jehovah’s efforts to discipline his people went unheeded! Deplorable, indeed, was the ruthlessness of the princes, nobles, and judges. Zephaniah decried the shamelessness of the religious leaders, saying: “Her prophets were insolent, were men of treachery. Her priests themselves profaned what was holy; they did violence to the law.” (Zephaniah 3:3, 4) How well those words fit the situation of Christendom’s prophets and priests today! Insolently, they have removed the divine name from their Bible translations and have taught doctrines that misrepresent the One they claim to worship.

17. Whether people listen or not, why keep on declaring the good news?

¹⁷ Jehovah considerately warned his ancient people regarding the action he was about to take. He sent his servants the prophets​—Zephaniah and Jeremiah, among others—​to urge the people to repent. Yes, “Jehovah . . . would do no unrighteousness. Morning by morning he kept giving his own judicial decision. At daylight it did not prove lacking.” What was the response? “But the unrighteous one was knowing no shame,” said Zephaniah. (Zephaniah 3:5) A similar warning is being sounded at this time. If you are a publisher of the good news, you are having a share in this warning work. Keep on declaring the good news without letup! Whether the people listen or not, your ministry is a success from God’s standpoint as long as you are carrying it out faithfully; you have no need for shame as you do God’s work with zeal.

18. How will Zephaniah 3:6 be fulfilled?

¹⁸ The execution of God’s judgment will not be confined to the desolation of Christendom. Jehovah expands his denunciation to include all the nations: “I cut off nations; their corner towers were desolated. I devastated their streets, so that there was no one passing through. Their cities were laid waste.” (Zephaniah 3:6) So trustworthy are these words that Jehovah speaks of the destruction as if it has already occurred. What happened to the cities of Philistia, Moab, and Ammon? And what of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh? Their destruction serves as a warning example to the nations today. God is not to be mocked.

Keep On Seeking Jehovah

19. What thought-provoking questions might we ask?

¹⁹ In Zephaniah’s day, God’s anger was unleashed upon those wickedly “making all their dealings ruinous.” (Zephaniah 3:7) The same thing will happen in our time. Do you see the evidence that the day of Jehovah’s anger is near? Are you continuing to “seek Jehovah” by reading his Word regularly​—daily? Do you “seek righteousness” by living a morally clean life in harmony with God’s standards? And are you ‘seeking meekness’ by displaying a meek, submissive attitude toward God and his arrangements for salvation?

20. What questions will we consider in the final article of this series on Zephaniah’s prophecy?

²⁰ If we faithfully keep on seeking Jehovah, righteousness, and meekness, we can expect to enjoy rich blessings right now​—yes, even in these faith-testing “last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Proverbs 10:22) But we may well ask, ‘In what ways are we being blessed as Jehovah’s present-day servants, and what future blessings does Zephaniah’s prophecy set before those who will be concealed in the rapidly approaching day of Jehovah’s anger?’

Jehovah’s Restored People Praise Him Earth Wide

“I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah.”​—ZEPHANIAH 3:9.

1. Why were messages of doom fulfilled upon Judah and other nations?

WHAT powerful judgment messages Jehovah inspired Zephaniah to deliver! Those words of doom were fulfilled upon the nation of Judah and her capital, Jerusalem, because the leaders and the people as a whole were not doing Jehovah’s will. Nearby nations, such as Philistia, Moab, and Ammon, would also experience God’s wrath. Why? Because of their cruel, centuries-long opposition to Jehovah’s people. For that same reason, the world power of Assyria would be destroyed, never to be reestablished.

2. Who apparently were addressed at Zephaniah 3:8?

² However, there were some rightly disposed individuals in ancient Judah. They looked forward to the execution of divine judgment against the wicked and apparently were those addressed with the words: “‘Keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘till the day of my rising up to the booty, for my judicial decision is to gather nations, for me to collect together kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them my denunciation, all my burning anger; for by the fire of my zeal all the earth will be devoured.’”​—Zephaniah 3:8.

“A Pure Language” for Whom?

3. What message of hope was Zephaniah inspired to deliver?

³ Yes, Zephaniah delivered Jehovah’s messages of doom. But the prophet was also inspired to include a wonderful message of hope​—one that would be very comforting to those who continued to be faithful to Jehovah. As recorded at Zephaniah 3:9, Jehovah God declared: “Then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.”

4, 5. (a) What would happen to the unrighteous? (b) Who would benefit from this, and why?

⁴ There would be people to whom the pure language would not be given. The prophecy takes note of them, saying: “I shall remove from the midst of you your haughtily exultant ones.” (Zephaniah 3:11) So the haughty ones who disdained God’s laws and practiced unrighteousness would be removed. And who would benefit from this? Zephaniah 3:12, 13 states: “I [Jehovah] shall certainly let remain in the midst of you a people humble and lowly, and they will actually take refuge in the name of Jehovah. As regards the remaining ones of Israel, they will do no unrighteousness, nor speak a lie, nor will there be found in their mouths a tricky tongue; for they themselves will feed and actually lie stretched out, and there will be no one making them tremble.”

⁵ A faithful remnant in ancient Judah were to benefit. Why? Because they had acted in harmony with the words: “Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger.”​—Zephaniah 2:3.

6. What happened in the first fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy?

⁶ In the first fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy, God punished faithless Judah by allowing the Babylonian World Power to overwhelm her and take her people captive in 607 B.C.E. Some, including the prophet Jeremiah, were spared, and others remained faithful to Jehovah in captivity. In 539 B.C.E., Babylon was overthrown by the Medes and the Persians under King Cyrus. About two years later, Cyrus issued a decree that allowed a Jewish remnant to return to their homeland. In time, Jerusalem’s temple was rebuilt, and the priesthood was again in a position to instruct the people in the Law. (Malachi 2:7) So Jehovah prospered the restored remnant​—as long as they remained faithful.

7, 8. To whom did the prophetic words of Zephaniah 3:14-17 apply, and why do you so answer?

⁷ Regarding those who would enjoy that restoration, Zephaniah foretold: “Joyfully cry out, O daughter of Zion! Break out in cheers, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! Jehovah has removed the judgments upon you. He has turned away your enemy. The king of Israel, Jehovah, is in the midst of you. You will fear calamity no more. In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not be afraid, O Zion. May your hands not drop down. Jehovah your God is in the midst of you. As a mighty One, he will save. He will exult over you with rejoicing. He will become silent in his love. He will be joyful over you with happy cries.’”​—Zephaniah 3:14-17.

⁸ Those prophetic words referred to the remnant gathered out of Babylonian captivity and brought back to their ancestral land. This is made clear at Zephaniah 3:18-20, where we read: “‘The ones grief-stricken in absence from your festal season I [Jehovah] shall certainly gather together; absent from you they happened to be, because of bearing reproach on her account. Here I am acting against all those afflicting you, at that time; and I will save her that is limping, and her that is dispersed I shall collect together. And I will set them as a praise and as a name in all the land of their shame. At that time I shall bring you people in, even in the time of my collecting you together. For I shall make you people to be a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I gather back your captive ones before your eyes,’ Jehovah has said.”

9. How did Jehovah make a name for himself in connection with Judah?

⁹ Imagine the shock of those in surrounding nations who were enemies of God’s people! The inhabitants of Judah had been taken captive by mighty Babylon, with no apparent hope of ever being freed. Moreover, their land lay desolate. By God’s power, however, they were restored to their homeland after 70 years, whereas the enemy nations were headed for ruin. What a name Jehovah made for himself by bringing back that faithful remnant! He made them “to be a name and a praise among all the peoples.” How that restoration brought praise to Jehovah and to those bearing his name!

Jehovah’s Worship Exalted

10, 11. When was the major fulfillment of Zephaniah’s restoration prophecy to take place, and how do we know this?

¹⁰ Another restoration took place in the first century of the Common Era, when Jesus Christ gathered a remnant of Israel to true worship. That was a foregleam of what was yet to come, for the major fulfillment of the restoration was still future. Micah’s prophecy foretold: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream.”​—Micah 4:1.

¹¹ When would this happen? As the prophecy said, “in the final part of the days”​—yes, during these “last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1) This would take place before the end of the present wicked system of things while the nations still worshiped false gods. Says Micah 4:5: “All the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god.” And what about true worshipers? Micah’s prophecy answers: “But we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah our God to time indefinite, even forever.”

12. How has true worship been elevated in these last days?

¹² In these last days, therefore, “the mountain of the house of Jehovah [has] become firmly established above the top of the mountains.” The lofty true worship of Jehovah has been restored, firmly established, and elevated above any and all other types of religion. As Micah’s prophecy also foretold, “to it peoples must stream.” And those practicing true religion “shall walk in the name of Jehovah [their] God to time indefinite, even forever.”

13, 14. When did this world enter “the final part of the days,” and what has been happening since then in regard to true worship?

¹³ Events in fulfillment of Bible prophecy prove that this world entered “the final part of the days”​—its last days—​in the year 1914. (Mark 13:4-10) History shows that Jehovah began gathering to true worship a faithful remnant of anointed ones having the heavenly hope. This has been followed by the gathering of “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues”​—those who have the hope of living forever on earth.​—Revelation 7:9.

¹⁴ Since World War I and right up to this day, the worship of Jehovah by those who bear his name has moved ahead mightily under his direction. Increasing from a few thousand after World War I, the worshipers of Jehovah now number about six million, gathered in some 91,000 congregations in 235 lands. Each year, these Kingdom proclaimers are devoting well over a billion hours publicly praising God. It is clear that these Witnesses of Jehovah are the ones fulfilling Jesus’ prophetic words: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”​—Matthew 24:14.

15. How is Zephaniah 2:3 now being fulfilled?

¹⁵ Zephaniah 3:17 notes: “Jehovah your God is in the midst of you. As a mighty One, he will save.” The spiritual prosperity that Jehovah’s servants enjoy in these last days is the direct result of having him ‘in their midst’ as their all-powerful God. This is as true today as it was in the restoration of ancient Judah in 537 B.C.E. Thus we can see how Zephaniah 2:3 finds its major fulfillment in our time when it says: “Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth.” In 537 B.C.E., “all” included the remnant of Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity. Now it represents the meek ones of all the nations throughout the entire earth, those who respond favorably to the global Kingdom-preaching work and who stream to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.”

True Worship Prospers

16. What likely is the reaction of our enemies to the prosperity of Jehovah’s servants in modern times?

¹⁶ After 537 B.C.E., many in the surrounding nations were astonished by the restoration of God’s servants to true worship in their homeland. Yet, that restoration took place on a relatively small scale. Can you imagine what some​—even the enemies of God’s people—​are saying now that they see the amazing growth, prosperity, and forward movement of Jehovah’s servants in modern times? Very likely, some of these enemies feel as did the Pharisees when they saw how the people flocked to Jesus. They exclaimed: “See! The world has gone after him.”​—John 12:19.

17. What did one writer say about Jehovah’s Witnesses, and what growth have they experienced?

¹⁷ In his book These Also Believe, Professor Charles S. Braden said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses have literally covered the earth with their witnessing. It may truly be said that no single religious group in the world displayed more zeal and persistence in the attempt to spread the good news of the Kingdom than Jehovah’s Witnesses. This movement will very likely go on from strength to strength.” How right he was! When he wrote those words 50 years ago, only some 300,000 Witnesses were preaching around the world. What would he say today, when about 20 times that number​—some six million—​are preaching the good news?

18. What is the pure language, and to whom has God given it?

¹⁸ Through his prophet, God promised: “I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.” (Zephaniah 3:9) In these last days, it is Jehovah’s Witnesses who call upon the name of Jehovah, who serve him unitedly in an unbreakable bond of love​—yes, “shoulder to shoulder.” They are the ones to whom Jehovah has given the pure language. This pure language includes a proper understanding of the truth about God and his purposes. Only Jehovah provides this understanding by means of his holy spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:10) To whom has he given his spirit? Only “to those obeying him as ruler.” (Acts 5:32) Jehovah’s Witnesses alone are willing to obey God as Ruler in everything. That is why they are recipients of God’s spirit and speak the pure language, the truth about Jehovah and his marvelous purposes. They use the pure language to praise Jehovah earth wide on a huge and growing scale.

19. Speaking the pure language involves what?

¹⁹ Speaking the pure language involves not only believing the truth and teaching it to others but also harmonizing one’s conduct with God’s laws and principles. Anointed Christians have taken the lead in seeking Jehovah and speaking the pure language. Think of what has been accomplished! Although anointed ones have diminished in number to fewer than 8,700, some six million others are imitating their faith by seeking Jehovah and speaking the pure language. These are the growing number of the great crowd from all nations who exercise faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, render sacred service in the earthly courtyard of God’s spiritual temple, and will survive “the great tribulation” soon to come upon this unrighteous world.​—Revelation 7:9, 14, 15.

20. What lies ahead for faithful anointed ones and for those who make up the great crowd?

²⁰ The great crowd will be ushered into God’s righteous new world. (2 Peter 3:13) Jesus Christ and the 144,000 anointed ones resurrected to heavenly life to serve as kings and priests with him will make up earth’s new ruling body. (Romans 8:16, 17; Revelation 7:4; 20:6) Survivors of the great tribulation will work to make the earth a paradise and will continue to speak the God-given pure language. In principle, to them apply the words: “All your sons [and daughters, of course] will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant. You will prove to be firmly established in righteousness itself.”​—Isaiah 54:13, 14.

Greatest Teaching Work in History

21, 22. (a) As indicated by Acts 24:15, who will need to be taught the pure language? (b) What unparalleled teaching work will be carried out on earth under Kingdom rule?

²¹ A very large group that will be given an opportunity to learn the pure language in the new world are those spoken of at Acts 24:15, which says: “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” In the past, billions of people have lived and died without an accurate knowledge of Jehovah. In an orderly manner, he will bring them back to life. And such resurrected ones will need to be taught the pure language.

²² What a privilege it will be to take part in that great teaching work! It will be the greatest educational undertaking in the history of mankind. All of it will be accomplished under the benevolent rule of Christ Jesus in Kingdom power. As a result, mankind will eventually see the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:9, which says: “The earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.”

23. Why would you say that we are greatly privileged as Jehovah’s people?

²³ How privileged we are in these last days to be preparing for that marvelous time when the knowledge of Jehovah will truly fill the earth! And what a privilege we have right now to be God’s people, those experiencing the grand fulfillment of the prophetic words recorded at Zephaniah 3:20! There we find Jehovah’s assurance: “I shall make you people to be a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth.”