Zephaniah 1:2

Yahweh revealed that He would completely remove everything from the face of the earth (cf. 2 Peter 3:10-12). This is one of the most explicit announcements of the total devastation of planet Earth in the Old Testament (cf. Isaiah 24:1-6; Isaiah 24:19-23). While it may involve some hyperbole, it seems clearly to foretell a worldwide judgment.

"Its imminent reference, some think, was to the fact that the barbaric Scythians, who had left their homeland north of the Black Sea, were sweeping over western Asia and might be expected to attack Judah at any moment. The ruthless Scythians employed the scorched earth policy with fury and vengeance." [Note: Hanke, p. 884.]