(9) Zephaniah 1-3

In chapter 1 Zephaniah announces the desolation of the land of Israel and of the people who gave themselves over to idolatry (vv. 1-9). The instrument of destruction is the armies of Nebuchadnezzar that would come from the north. Zephaniah graphically describes the entry of those armies into Jerusalem first through the fish gate, then through the second quarter of the city (vv. 10-12), until finally every corner of the city will be searched out (v. 12). The goods of the city will be carried off as plunder since "all this land will be consumed" (vv. 13-18). The people are called to repentance and encouraged to seek the Lord so that they may be saved on that day (Zeph. 2:1-3).

In chapter 2 we find several Arab nations around the land of Israel that also come under judgment by the same destroyer coming from the north (vv. 4-11); then the Ethiopians (Egypt and its allies) fall as the troops coming from the north continue southward entering their countries (v. 12). Although this happened in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, it is recorded in the Scriptures because of its significance as a type, for it is what the King of the North will do in a time to come when the prophecy will be fulfilled. This meets, in the form of a type, the second point of the summary.

Zephaniah then turns to the destruction of the western powers -- Babylon (it not being the object of his prophecy) and goes on to speak of the judgment of the Assyrians (vv. 13-15). This may refer to the King of the North (the first attack of the Assyrians in the prophecy) coming under the judgment that comes from the Lord. This establishes point no. 5.

In chapter 3 the city of Jerusalem is described as corrupt and needing a cleansing (vv. 1-4). This the Lord will do when He takes His place in the city (vv. 5-7). Before the blessings of the Kingdom of Christ are seen by the prophet in the final part of the chapter, a final gathering of nations is presented before him (v. 8). This group of nations is the one to which point no. 6 of the summary refers. After these nations have been destroyed, the millennial blessings of the Kingdom are set forth and the Lord, the King of Israel, is seen in the midst of His earthly people, Israel (vv. 9-17). All the remaining Israelites of the ten tribes who have not been brought back to the land before will then be gathered in the land of Israel (vv. 18-20).

(10) 2 Chronicles 28-32 -- The Assyrian Invasions in the Time of Ahaz and Hezekiah The history of the Assyrian invasions in the time of Ahaz and Hezekiah gives us another figurative display of future events. Ahaz reigned as king in Jerusalem at a time in Israel's history when they were in a rather low state (2 Kings 16:1-4). Ahaz is a type of the Antichrist, the stubborn king (Dan. 11:36-

1. who will reign over the Jews

apostates during the Great Tribulation. Ahaz was guilty of having removed the altar of Jehovah and established a strange god in its place#26# (2 Kings 16:10-18). His action, in removing the altar of Jehovah and its vessels (2 Chron. 29:19) is a type of what the Beast and the Antichrist will do in the middle of the week, when they prevent Jewish sacrifices and worship (Dan. 9:27; 12:11). The establishment of a strange altar in the temple is a type of the rise of the abomination of desolation (Dan. 12:11; Matt. 24:15; Rev. 13:14,15).

Around this time, the Assyrians begin their advances coming from the north. After they had conquered the kingdom of Syria (2 Kings 16:9) and kept some of the cities in the northern region of Israel captive (2 Kings 15:27-29) the king of Israel asked help from the king of Egypt, who came up with his armies (2 Kings 17:1-4; Isa. 7:18,19*). Prophetically this explains point no. 1 of the summary.

[ Note: *The flies at the ends of the rivers of Egypt are a symbol of the armies of the king of Egypt. The bees from the land of Assyria are a symbol of the Assyrian armies. Pay attention to the order of events: first the flies whistle, and then it is the bees' turn, which is the same order as points 1 and 2 of the summary. ] This inflames the anger of the king of Assyria who rushes from the north conquering "all the land" (2 Kings 17:5,6). Israel was judged on that occasion because of its sin of idolatry (2 Kings 17:7-23). Having conquered the land of Israel, the Assyrians continue and take Ashdod, the chief city of the Philistines (Isa. 20:1), and then continue in their conquest as far as Egypt, defeating the Egyptians and their allies (Isa. 20:4-6). This explains point no. 2.

Then the wicked king Ahaz (a type of the Antichrist) died and was replaced on his throne by the good king Hezekiah, who is a type of Christ#27# (2 Chron. 29:1,2). The rise of Hezekiah at this occasion prefigures the coming of Christ to take the kingdoms of this world, on which occasion we know that the Antichrist will be removed by judgment (Rev. 11-15; 19:11-20; 2 Thess. 2:8). This happens at point no. 4.

Upon being enthroned, Hezekiah gathered Judah (the Jews) so that a sin offering might be offered (2 Chr 29:21-24), which was, in practice, an acknowledgment that they had sinned. (Compare Zech. 12:10; Ps. 51). Next they offered burnt offerings and thank offerings (2 Chr 29:27-36). Hezekiah then sought to gather all Israel under Jehovah. He sent messengers to call all the tribes of Israel to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. People from the various tribes of Israel humbled themselves and went to take part in the celebration (2 Chr 30). The atonement was made for all Israel. Then they cleansed the land of idolatry and established a truly faithful order under Hezekiah's command (2 Chr 31). This explains the interval between points 5 and 6 when the Jews (the two tribes) and the ten tribes of Israel will be restored to the Lord. After a faithful order had been established in the land under Hezekiah, the Assyrians under Sennacherib came down once more from the north to defeat the kingdom. As soon as Sennacherib's army came near Jerusalem, the angel of the Lord went out and destroyed them (2 Chr 32). Sennacherib and the Assyrians are a well-known type*, in prophecy, of the final invasion led by Gog (Russia) that will be defeated by the Lord. This is point no. 6. [ Note: *The first incursions of the Assyrians under Tiglath-Pileser (2 Kgs 15:27-29), Shalmaneser (2 Kgs 17:3-6) and Sargon (Isa. 20:1), which continued successfully through all the land of Israel as far as Egypt, is a type of the first attack of the Assyrians in prophecy (The King of the North and his Arab Confederation -- Dan. 11:40-43). The later invasions of the Assyrians under Sennacherib, which were destroyed by the angel of Jehovah, prefigure Russia and its hordes that will be destroyed by the Lord (Ezek. 38-39). ] After Sennacherib's hordes had been defeated, God exalted Hezekiah in the eyes of all the nations on the earth, so that many brought gifts to him (2 Chr 32:22,23; Ps. 68:29; 72:10). In the same way, after the wars cease, the glory of Christ will spread throughout the whole world during the Millennium (Isa. 66:19; Hab. 2:14; Mal. 1:11; Ps. 72:19).