He is Here Too!

“On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zephaniah 3:11-13 ESV)

Where is the gospel in the Book of Zephaniah? Jesus is present in every book of the Bible, but not always as a story, a person, a metaphor, or an allegory. So, we should not allegorize the Bible unless Jesus tells us to, but look at the message of God, that is, Jesus. The message of Christ and redemption answers a snowballing question in the Old Testament. How is God going to redeem these horrible people; that is all of us.

The Book of Zephaniah follows a similar pattern occurring throughout the Bible. The people of creation rebel against God, disobeying His laws and decrees. Yet, God continues to treat His people in a divine way, promising the glory of God on the day of the Lord. Because these rebellious people cannot change themselves and become holy, God promises to secure their deliverance for them. How is this possible? It is possible through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the answer to the snowball.

Zephaniah follows this same pattern. At the beginning of the book, Zephaniah makes a proclamation of judgment upon the people and enemies of God. Yet, by the end of the book, God promises deliverance.  “I will remove from you the exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my mountain. God will humble the proud, the high, and the mighty. The people will be changed and will no longer rebel against God. God will redeem them.

Redemption is only possible through the blood of Christ. Having the benefit of 1900 and some odd years of biblical writings and studies, we know this is true and that it is the gospel. A snowballing pattern of God that implies a culmination of redemption, by God, for God.

Jesus is not always a story, a metaphor, or represented in the actions of another biblical character, but make no doubt, the entirety of the Bible points to the everlasting power and glory of Christ. For all have sinned, and without Christ, we are lost souls.

Do you know Christ? If you do not, seek Him. Reach out to us here at InMessiah.com. We would love to point you in His direction.

Peace and Grace!