Zephaniah 3:20

"At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes, saith Jehovah."

Such a marvelous promise as that of Zephaniah 3:19 required the repetition of it, which is featured in the greater part of this verse; but perhaps it was for the sake of emphasizing "at that time," as the moment of fulfillment, which from all indications points far away to the times of the end.

"When I bring back your captivity ..." This is sometimes applied to the return of the Babylonian exiles, and in which there doubtless was a partial and token fulfillment of this promise. However, we believe that something far more than that is intended here. "The expression is often (and possibly here) used metaphorically for the abolition of misery and the restoration to a happy condition (Deuteronomy 30:3; Job 42:10,15; and Jeremiah 29:14)."[39] Jesus referred to conversion from sin as "the release of the captives" (Luke 4:18).

"Before your eyes ..."

"So that we shall see what we now believe and hope for, the end of all our sufferings and chastisements, and losses, even the fullness of our Redemption. That which our eyes have looked for, our eyes shall behold and not another, the everlasting God as HE IS, face to face, saith the Lord![40]

Carson's concluding comment was:

"Finally the Bridegroom brings home his Bride, and she sees at last with her own eyes all that her Lover and Lord has done for her ... Zephaniah ends his prophecy with a shout of triumphant assurance echoing out of his heart and into ours, "The Lord hath said it![41]

That God Himself is the speaker in this prophecy is dramatically emphasized in these closing verses. As Hailey pointed out:

Note the use of the personal pronouns:

I will gather...

I will deal...

I will save...

I will make...

I will bring you in...

I will gather you...

I will make...

When I bring back your captivity before your eyes.[42]

Note also that the word "gather" occurs no less than three times in Zephaniah 3:18-20, a term suggestive of the harvest at the end of the world, indicating that it is the final judgment of the Great Day that dominates the prophecy throughout, although there also appear many promises and blessings characteristic of the age of the church itself.

We praise the Lord for this inspired and inspiring prophecy of the ultimate triumph of righteousness over evil, which also provides the utmost confidence and assurance of the blessings of the Lord upon them who love his Name forever and ever. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.