I Will Do It Before Your Very Eyes

Zephaniah 3:20
At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,”
says the LORD.

The book of Zephaniah the prophet is short compared to other Bible books, yet it has a comprehensive message. That reminds us that value is in what is said and not for how long it is said. We should concentrate on being understood than on how long we communicate. Sermons and church services will serve people better if they were precise, clear, and to the point. As time passes people grow weak, hungry and concentration ability wears out. The longer we listen the less we understand. Sermons should ideally take 30-40 minutes. Normal lectures take 50 minutes. After that, we need a break if we are to continue. Soccer games are longer but the beginning and end are known, it takes 90 minutes. When the precise end of a sermon or service is known and won’t stretch further, the listeners can listen attentively. Movies are long, but the time it will take and when it will end is known. We should be concerned about how much people learn in a service. Zephaniah is brief but comprehensive.

Obadiah is one chapter but it only focuses on the punishment of Edomites. Nahum is brief but it focuses on the punishment of Nineveh. Zephaniah has the hope like that of Isaiah, the warning and doom like that of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Jonah is brief but only addresses God’s mercy for Nineveh and Jonah. Other prophets address Israel only. Zephaniah addresses Israel and other nations. Zephaniah is comprehensive.

Zephaniah chapter one begins by announcing the judgment of the whole world in the day of the LORD. The day of the LORD is the last day of battle when the King comes for the last push to win the victory. The day of the LORD is at the end of time when Jesus returns, but is also a reference to when God will punish nations in their time. Next, Zephaniah chapter two talks of God punishing various nations including Israel and Judah. Israel after King Solomon broke into two kingdoms. Northern kingdom referred to as Israel. Southern kingdom referred to as Judah. Various nations are mentioned who will receive God’s punishment, such as Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Cush, Assyria, etc. At the end of Zephaniah chapter 3 from verse nine to the end, the message is restoration and hope. The book of Zephaniah ends by telling us, thus says the LORD.

Even though we were reading from Zephaniah, it was God’s message. Even though they heard Zephaniah preach, it was God speaking to them. The weight of the message should not be ignored because it is from Zephaniah, because it is not, it is God’s message. The book may be brief, but it is God’s potent message. Many messengers are sent to us daily, be careful because it is God speaking, do not take the message lightly because you have issues with the messenger. The messenger may not fit your expectations but the message is still the potent word of God. That is why the book ends by telling us, thus says the LORD.

After describing punishment, call to repentance, and promise of restoration in a very brief and concise way, it all seems unbelievable. Will the punishment really take place, the sinners wonder. Must we repent urgently, the hypocrites are concerned. Will restoration really happen after all these, the doomsayers doubted. To address these issues of seeming doubt and slow to believe, Zephaniah tells them that it will happen before their very eyes. I will do it before your very eyes!

Happening before your very eyes is a reference to the fact that they will be alive when punishment and restoration happen. False religious teachings tell us that rewards and punishment come when we die. The Bible teaches that we are rewarded eternally at the end of time. The dead will have to be resurrected for them to be rewarded, Daniel 12:2 and John 5:28-29. When Jesus returns, He will reward everyone, Revelation 22:12. Punishments and rewards will happen not during death but while all the concerned are alive. Therefore the dead are not in hell being punished. Therefore the dead are not in heaven being rewarded. No dead person is promoted to glory. No dead person is dancing with angels. They are all in their graves waiting for resurrection and the final rewards. No one will be punished or rewarded while dead, they will be alive and seeing it happen. I will do it before your very eyes!

Luke 18:29-30 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.

Jesus talked of rewards here on earth while we are alive. In this time, in this age, during our lifetime, before we die. Jesus also talked about rewards at the end of time, in the world to come, in the coming age. In the present life, God rewards us, before we die and exit this world. In this lifetime, God rewards us manifold, many times more. In the life to come, God rewards us with eternal life. We shouldn’t live our lives as if every good thing will only happen when Jesus returns. There are many good things that must happen here and now, and we must pray and work towards them. I will do it before your very eyes!

Finally, before your very eyes also means that it will be real. It will not just be an experience of the mind. The punishment will be real and painful right here on earth before we die. The restoration will also be real and joyful here on earth before we die. God’s promises are real and not just imaginary experiences falsely branded spiritual. God promises to make it a real experience. I will do it before your very eyes!

Forgive us, LORD. Save us from punishment. Bless us and do it before our very eyes, in Jesus’ name, Amen!