THE STREETS ARE EMPTY
TOPIC: THE STREETS ARE EMPTY
TEXT: ZEPHANIAH 3:1-7
MEMORY VERSE: “I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted,
with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty.” – Zephaniah 3:6 (NIV)
The world is becoming a dangerous place to live, different events are happening at different times that no one can explain. Wars, news of war, disease outbreaks and economic meltdown permeates the world you and I live in. On the 31st December, 2019, while believers and the rest of the world were holding vigils and rejoicing to welcome a new year with hope and joy, in the Wuhan city of China there was an outbreak of deadly corona virus also known as COVID-19.
Many people believe it will not spread beyond Wuhan but today it has claimed many lives world over. World economy nose-diving at a fast rate, cities being lockdown and businesses shutdown, the entire city of Wuhan with over 11million people lockdown. Italy, majorly the worst hit on total lockdown and quarantine, tourist attraction sites in Paris, Geneva and host of others countries were totally deserted. African countries were not left out, schools, churches, mosques, bars and clubs were shut down.
Who knows Eiffel Tower will be deserted, almighty Vatican City in Rome hold no mass, national borders closed indefinitely including airports, all to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. But before now, God had warned the nations of the world to repent from their evil ways and turn to Him, people never yielded to the call, they are just doing what they like, cinema centres, football stadia and clubs would be filled to the brim; many did not yield to God but today can many of them go out of their homes? There was no room for Jesus in the inn; the Saviour of the world was born in a manger. Is there still room for Christ in your heart today? Check! When God come the nations of the world will hear and obey Him by force and He has come. Do you want to hear God by force or you will willingly surrender to Him today?
In Zephaniah 3, God cursed these filthy and polluted nations; they obeyed not His voice, received not correction, trusted not in the LORD and drew not near to the God of Heavens and earth. Many atrocities were being committed by the nations and government of the world everyday against innocent souls and Christians and God calls to them to repent but all to no avail and in His fury, the prophecy in verse 6 of Zephaniah 3 is coming to pass: to cut off the nations of the world, make their towers desolate and made their streets waste and deserted, that none passes by and to destroy their cities, so that there is no man to inhabit it. Is it not happening in our very eye? Warn your families and friends to not joke with the things of God. Now is the time to move closer to God and repent from your evil ways.
This time is telling us all to repent and turn to God; search and amend your ways. Christ may come at anytime, the events in the world is pointing to His coming. How are you standing? I urge you to be in good standing with God, repent and turn from your evil ways and come to Jesus today. When God’s wrath comes, definitely the streets and cities will be emptied for fear and for judgement. In verse 7 of our Scriptures, God said, surely, these people will fear Him and receive correction. When God comes everybody will be sober and knows the truth. Don’t wait till Judgement Day before you repent, it will be too late.
“Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation—all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy – Zephaniah 3:8”
Central Truth