17/12/2022 - THE DESPAIR OF THE LOST

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Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! For all the merchant people are cut down; All those who handle money are cut off. All those who handle money are cut off. Zephaniah 1.11

Maktesh means mortar, also known as pestle. Maktesh was a neighborhood in Jerusalem where Phoenicians who worked with silver lived. Usually, people who handle metals have a high purchasing power, but Zephaniah’s prophecy said that they would suffer and howl like animals. As the second coming of Jesus approaches, the whole Earth will face tremendous problems, yet many consider themselves safe!

No one can think he or she is protected unless they are born again in Christ, through the salvation that comes from His death and resurrection. The Word of God sends a message to those who trust only in themselves, in their abilities and riches: For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5.3). It’s good to take care of yourself!

The prophet alludes to his warning, saying that the people of Canaan were ruined. Now, Judah was boasting about nothing, because although it had become rich like the people of the Northern Kingdom, it was destroyed by Shalmaneser and never became a nation again. The people of Judah became corrupted. As a result, the Phoenicians would have no one to sell their silver or other metal products to. There is safety only in God!

Canaan symbolizes the land occupied by Israel, despite being seven peoples plus the inhabitants of Jericho who were displaced. The name Canaan became the nickname for all of Palestine, and the Canaanites symbolize those who will not resist the pressures that will reach the inhabitants of the world. It doesn’t matter how much wealth is gained by the greedy. Just like Lot, Abraham’s nephew, they will suddenly leave without their possessions. There is no protection outside the Savior!

Zephaniah predicted the destruction of those who handled money, the merchants. This proves that guarding the vile metal will be of no use when man has to appear before the throne of the Lord on the Great Day. Today, some people have a fortune greater than the sum of the resources of certain cities in the world. What will this profit them in the Great Tribulation? Those who store up treasures will have their wealth exterminated.

God’s people, even without silver or gold, have the authority to tell the crippled to get up and walk. The time has come for the sick to be visited (Acts 3.1-10). One’s possessions will not save him from impending evils, but rather the fear of God in his heart. Faith in Jesus cannot even remotely be compared to the “safety” of having treasures in store. Understand: the devil only respects those who love the Savior!

We must explain to people the Biblical revelations concerning the events of the last days on Earth, for there is no error in these prophecies. Those who think they are wise but live in sin, don’t be mistaken! The Lord is the righteous Judge, who will sit on the throne of judgment and will render to every man according to his deeds (Proverbs 24.12; Rev 20.12).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares