Zep 1:15-16 | KingComments | STEP | It is “the great day of the LORD” ( ). That day is great because of his terrible judgments and their consequences ( ). He is first presented as near and as a day that is fast approaching. He is much closer than the people realize and he rushes to his full revelation. If they listen carefully, to which they are emphatically called, “listen”, they will already be able to hear the sound of it. They will also hear the bitter cries of the warrior. How awful that day is, is indicated in several ways in this description ( ). Words are used that indicate the horrors of that day. 1. It is a day of “wrath” of the LORD over sins ( ). He is angry and deeply displeased with the behavior of His people. 2. When He brings His wrath upon them, it causes “trouble and distress” in those over whom He brings His wrath. 3. The consequences are “destruction and desolation”. 4. The atmosphere in which God’s wrath manifests itself is one “of darkness and gloom” and “of clouds and thick darkness”. The LORD reveals Himself as a warrior blowing the trumpet and shouting a war cry against every stronghold built by men to protect themselves ( ). “Fortified cities” and “high corner towers” will be to no avail. There is no protection against the unfolding wrath of the LORD, as the following verse shows.

‏ Zephaniah 1:15-16

The Great Day of the LORD

It is “the great day of the LORD” (Zep 1:14). That day is great because of his terrible judgments and their consequences (Joel 2:11). He is first presented as near and as a day that is fast approaching. He is much closer than the people realize and he rushes to his full revelation. If they listen carefully, to which they are emphatically called, “listen”, they will already be able to hear the sound of it. They will also hear the bitter cries of the warrior.

How awful that day is, is indicated in several ways in this description (Zep 1:15-16). Words are used that indicate the horrors of that day.

1. It is a day of “wrath” of the LORD over sins (Zep 1:15). He is angry and deeply displeased with the behavior of His people.

2. When He brings His wrath upon them, it causes “trouble and distress” in those over whom He brings His wrath.

3. The consequences are “destruction and desolation”.

4. The atmosphere in which God’s wrath manifests itself is one “of darkness and gloom” and “of clouds and thick darkness”.

The LORD reveals Himself as a warrior blowing the trumpet and shouting a war cry against every stronghold built by men to protect themselves (Zep 1:16). “Fortified cities” and “high corner towers” will be to no avail. There is no protection against the unfolding wrath of the LORD, as the following verse shows.