Christ will destroy the world, and reward the elect. We're wise to be on the right side of the only Son of God. He has the keys to eternity.

First, Christ brings retribution. Vs17, “I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung." He punishes the wicked. He's a judge who will do right. Acts 10:42 - ""He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead." No one will escape with one sin.

He's offered himself as a Substitute. Seize him. Immediately trust in Christ. Cast off your fear. Get rid of greed for filthiness. James 1:21 - "Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Trust Christ as a Savior, trust his terms, and you will have fulfillment! He will give joy, peace, and deliverance. He will save.

Secondly, here are the terms of surrender. Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath." God's only calling us to do what's right.

He has no evil in him. He's a good God who saves sinners. He teaches what is right. Psalm 25:8 - "The LORD is good and upright; therefore he shows sinners the way.” How wonderful it is to have goodness ruling over us. This is not oppression. It's deliverance from evil, so we can treat others right, as he's treated us. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God."

Goodness and kindness are far better than self righteousness, superiority, and using people. He's shown us that Christ deserves to rule.

Do righteousness, he tells us. Live by the gospel, and love. Walk in the Spirit unto good works. Lift up the fallen! Galatians 6:1-2 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won't be tempted. Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Thirdly, when Christ destroys, he makes a full end. Zephaniah 2:5 Ah, inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left." Christ is not an option, because hell is eternal. That makes him mandatory, because he's the only way we can escape the lake of fire. He's the most important Being in eternity, and his blood is precious. There's no Plan B, and no other way. We must have Christ. Acts 4:12 - "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved."

Seize him in his importance. Call upon him as a Savior, in your need. Don't take, “No,” for an answer. Conquering sin is mandatory. We must be overcomers, and he will help us. Revelation 2:7 - ""Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." He'll unleash grace, and he’ll pity the poor in spirit. He'll comfort our mourning!

Finally, God comes to his children with good intentions! Zephaniah 2:7, “The seacoast shall become the possession of the remnant of the house of Judah, on which they shall pasture, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the Lord their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes." God's elect are fully blessed. We're SECURE IN THE COVENANT - chosen from the foundation of the world, and predestined to life. We have the irrevocable bond of God's love. We're held securely by his hands. John 10:28 - ""I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand." God's going to deliver us from sin. He'll destroy others, but his coming is our, “Hallelujah… for true and righteous are his judgments.” He punishes the wicked, and delivers us. We're blessed with forgiveness and redemption. All things work together for our good. Romans 8:28 - "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

Do you see how it matters which side you're on? Can you see that in Christ you are blessed, but outside of him you are cursed under God's wrath? Can you see how beautiful he is to receive sinners, when he's the only way? If there was another way, then his grace would mean little. If he did not judge, then all his commands are frivolous opinions. Can you imagine that? God with mere opinions? No, when we see the impending Judgment, then we see that forgiveness and cleansing are God’s greatest blessings to us.