The Kingdoms of this World

And he will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, and he will make Nineveh a desolation, a dry waste like the desert. Herds shall lie down in her midst, all kinds of beasts; even the owl and the hedgehog shall lodge in her capitals; a voice shall hoot in the window; devastation will be on the threshold; for her cedar work will be laid bare. This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
Zephaniah 2:13–15
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The Kingdoms of this World
The Lord uses the kingdoms of this world for his purposes. Assyria was his chosen punishment for Israel, and then he punishes Assyria for its wickedness. The city of Nineveh, which once had repented at the preaching of the Word of God, now refuses to repent. This is the crux of it all. The Lord desires that all be saved, but he will not abide by unrepentant sin. He will not allow sin to go unchecked. Thus, he knocks down the proud. There is One that calls himself, “I AM.” The Lord is lord even over the greatest of the kingdom and the greatest of the powers of the earth. He has conquered even the prince of this world, the devil, by the power of Jesus’ cross. The Lord desires that you be saved so he sends his Holy Spirit with the message of the cross for you. Your greatest adversaries have been destroyed. Their rule and reign over the world have been brought to an end. The devil and his minions have been put in their place—they are the now the footstool of the Lord. All things have been accomplished that you might have life and have it to the full. Thanks be to God that he has rescued out of your trouble.