C.     Comfort (4:1-5:15)

1.       The last days and the rebuilding of the kingdom (4:1-5)

 a.      (v1). “In the last days.” This means the day of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:20; Heb. 1:2). He will build His kingdom, the church of God, which will surpass every religion on earth, and all peoples will come to the house of God. (cf. Eph 2:15-22).

(a)     This verse also means that the true church will be the highest mountain in the last day, and peoples will stream to it (cf. Heb 12:22, 23).

 b.      (v2). The word of God comes out of God’s Church (1 Tim 3:15). People of many nations will come to God’s church, become His disciples, follow His teachings, and act accordingly.

 c.      (v3-4). If a person believes in Lord Jesus, he will be a righteous ruler and change his life to become one of peace, love, righteous, and joy (cf. Isa 11:6-9; 2 Cor 5:17).

 d.      (v5). There are still many people refuse to repent, still believe their idols, and follow their superstitious traditions (Rev 9:20, 21). This brings despair to people, but the people of God should not lose heart. We should still be faithful to God and serve Him forever (cf. Josh 24:15).

2.       Scattered Israel will return (4:6-8)

 a.      (v6-7). When the day of salvation comes, the Lord will gather all the oppressed in exile, the scattered, and the ones who have been afflicted by Him. He will reign on Mount Zion and rule over them.

 b.      (v8). Those exiled Israelites who have lost the right as the chosen people will return and regain their privileges as the chosen people.

(a)     This prophecy is also about sinners (Jn 8:34) will be saved by the Lord Jesus (Mt 11:4-6). He will be our Head and rule over us (Col 1:18, 2:10; Rev. 1:5, 3:4), and we will be His people (2 Cor 6:16-18).

3.       The coming disasters and the victory of the chosen people (4:9-13)

 a.      (v9). The Babylonian army will come and surround Jerusalem until they seize the city. Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and his officials will try to flee at night but will be captured and sent to Babylon. The capital will have no king or leaders. This disaster is described as a woman in labor (2 Kgs 25:1-11).

 b.      (v10). Disaster will come upon them, and they will be exiled to Babylon until the days are filled. God will then deliver them and bring them back (Jer 29:10).

 c.      (v11). The surrounding countries will gather up to invade the risen Israel. They will try to enter the city and defile her. They hope to rejoice in Israel’s ruin.

 d.      (v12). These enemies do not understand God’s thought and plan. They think the battle will be an easy victory. However, God chose to gather the chosen people to totally destroy them. God’s thoughts are higher than man's thoughts (Isa 55:8, 9). His judgments are unsearchable (Rom 11:33-35).

 e.      (v13). God will grant strength to the chosen people. They will be brave like a raging bull (Deut 33:17). They will defeat and conquer their enemies, and they will offer thanksgiving sacrifices to the Lord. If God is with us, who is against us? (Rom 8:31)