Study Guide for the 12 Minor Prophets

What can we learn from the brooding prophet Habakkuk? What do the "mysterious" visions of Zechariah mean? Does a man like Obadiah have a message for us when he announces judgment on Edom? – The so-called minor prophets offer a wide, interesting but also difficult range of topics. For this reason, we would like to give you some help in studying them.

 

1.Who are the Minor Prophets?

Since the fourth century, twelve prophetic books of the Old Testament have been called “Minor Prophets”. Compared to the four major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel), they are smaller in scope: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The term "small" does not refer to the importance of their message but to their smaller scope. The purpose of this guide is to make them more accessible.

 

2. The Minor Prophets and Their History

After the twelve tribes of the people of Israel had been freed by God from Egypt and brought to Canaan, they quickly turned their backs on Him and disobeyed His commands. So God sent prophets to them to persuade them to repent. The first prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More appeared at the time of the judges (Judges 6:7 and following). Others followed.

The minor prophets were active a few years after the division of the kingdom into Judah (the southern kingdom, the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin) and Israel (the northern kingdom, the remaining ten tribes). Hosea, Amos, and Jonah [1] were sent to Israel, while Joel and Micah spoke to Judah. When Israel did not heed the messages of repentance, God finally carried out the announced judgment: the people were deported to Assyria (2 Kings 17). Judah – which, unlike Israel, had a number of godly kings - heard further messages from God through Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Obadiah, among others, but to no avail. Judah was also exiled to Babylon (2 Kings 24). God later allowed these two tribes to return to their land (Ezra 1). But prophetic ministry was also needed among these "returnees": Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were used by God to call them to faithfulness. But this did not stop the decline of the Jews, which culminated in the murder of the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More some four hundred years later.

 

A rough breakdown by time period and main area of influence:

	Israel	Juda
After the division of the kingdom until the exodus of Israel (see 1 Kings; 2 Kings 1 - 16)	Hoseah, Amos, (Jonah)	Joel, Micah, (Obadiah)
Until the captivity of Judah (see 2 Kings 17 - 24)		(Nahum) Habakkuk, Zephaniah
After the return of Judah (see Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)		Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi

 

3. What do the minor prophets teach us?

You might ask why we should be studying these Old Testament prophets today. The answer is that Bible prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More is important and valuable. A common and handy definition of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More (or divination) is to reveal what is hidden. A prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More reveals events or attitudes and puts them in God's light. He often reveals the moral state of those to whom or about whom he speaks. We see this in many places in both the Old Testament (e.g., Lam 2:14; Mic 3:8) and the New Testament (e.g., John 4:16-19; 1 Cor 14:24, 25). As I prayerfully read the minor prophets today, their prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More will reach my conscience and change my mind. I will feel addressed by the words of the prophets – like one of God's people at that time - and I will examine what God wants to say to me today. I can also put myself in the place of the prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More and learn how a servant of God fulfills his task with humility, consistency, prayer, and dedication.

In this journey through the minor prophets, we want to emphasize this practical side. There is, of course, another side: Prophets reveal the future. Knowing God's plan for the future is of great importance for us Christians and also has a formative influence on our present behavior.

 

4. The timeline of prophecy

The following is a "timeline" of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More to help us place the prophecies of the future in context. It is intended as a guide and to encourage the reader to do further research.

A note on the sequence of prophetic events and the "last week of Daniel" mentioned in the timeline: After the Rapture of the faithful (1 Thess 4:15-18), God turns back to His earthly people, Israel, and visibly intervenes in events on earth. Before the blessing of the kingdom of peace can come, however, seven years of discipline and judgment must pass – the last of the 70 "weeks of seven years" (seven years: Lev 25:8) prophesied of Israel by Daniel (see Dan 9:24-27). Halfway through these seven years, Jewish worship ceases (Dan 9:27) and many upheavals take place. In addition, God brings judgments of unprecedented magnitude upon the earth (especially upon the apostate Christians and Jews). It is the time of the "great tribulationIn the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel,... More" (Rev 7:14), which reaches its climax and conclusion with the appearance of the Lord Jesus to establish the Kingdom. Only in the New Testament do we learn that this kingdom will last for 1,000 years, that after the 1,000 years heaven and earth will pass away and a new heaven and a new earth will appear (2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev 20:4-6).

 

Prophetic time/epoch	ProphecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More of the minor prophets
Beginning of the last week of Daniel's year (Dan 9:27). The beginning of sorrows (Mt 24:8).	Some Jews (the "remnant") recognize that the Lord Jesus is the MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More and turn back to Him. God uses tribulations for this, which last until the establishment of the kingdom and become more intense (e.g. Hos 2:14.15; 3:5; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:17).
The second half of the last week of Daniel. The great tribulationIn the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel,... More (Mt 24:21).	God's targeted judgment hits the apostate Jews, who reject God and Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, hard: the social and political foundations are shattered; the neighboring peoples, led by Assyria, take over Palestine. The faithful remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More is fiercely persecuted by the AntichristThe Antichrist is a person of the end times who takes the place of Christ and is also his great adversary. He (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7)... More. God purifies the remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More in the tribulations (e.g. Hab 2:4; 3:16; Zeph 1:14-18; Nah 1:7; Mic 3:12; 7:7-10; Zech 13:8.9).
Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. Beginning of the millennial kingdom (Rev 19,11 - 20,6).	The Lord Jesus returns to earth. He judges the nations and the godless Jews in several stages. However, He redeems the remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More of Judah, who were waiting for the MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More, and uses them to fight against their enemies (e.g. Zech 12:1-9; 14:3,4; Mal 4:1-3; Joel 3:1, 17-21; Obad 15,18-21; Mic 4:11-13; 5:4-15; Zeph 3:8-20).
	Faithful Israelites (ten tribes) return to Palestine. The people of God are reunited (e.g. Hos 11:10.11; Amos 9:14.15; Mic 2:12.13; Zech 10:6-12).
	The Lord Jesus reigns from Jerusalem in righteousness and peace over his people and over the whole earth (e.g. Zeph 3:5; Zech 6:13; 8:3; 14:9-11).
	Israel is at the center of the kingdom and is especially blessed. The nations will also recognize God and share in the blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More of the kingdom through Israel (e.g. Hos 2:19-23.; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13-15; Mic 4:1-5; Hab 2:14; Zech 8:20-23; 14:16-20; Mal 1:11).

 

5. Brief outline of the minor prophets

Even though the prophets from Hosea to Malachi are often summarised under the term "minor prophets", this should not obscure the fact that the range of topics is wide. No two messages are the same. One denounces social ills more, the other idolatry more. Here the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel comes into focus, there the two-tribe kingdom of Judah, and a third writes about the enemies of God's people. Or one prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More impresses upon his fellow countrymen the need for repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More, while another emphasizes God's promises of blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More in his message. The way in which the message is conveyed (speeches, dialogues with God, visions ...) as well as the personality and therefore the style of the prophets are different. God ranges from an agitated Hosea to a mild Joel to a heartfelt, questioning Malachi in order to reach his people in their respective situations and conditions. Here is a brief overview:

 

Hosea	A message of repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More, especially to Israel, for which God includes Hosea's personal circumstances: He has to marry a prostitute and his children are given prophetic names. Because Israel is unfaithful, it will lose its direct relationship of blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More with God. RepentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More opens the way back to God, who is and remains faithful.
Joel	A message of repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More to Judah. God uses a catastrophic drought as an opportunity to warn Judah of the coming judgment and to call them to repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More. The day of the LordA period of time when the Lord Jesus will visibly appear on earth in power and glory to exercise judgment and subsequently establish His kingdom of peace (2 Thes 1:6-8;... More (the judgment with the subsequent reign of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More in the kingdom of peace) is near. If Judah repents, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More will be poured out on all fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More.
Amos	Brief biographical elements, visions, and an announcement of judgment to a whole series of nations – including Judah and Israel. Because of injustice, indifference, and formalistic worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More, the people will be judged by God, but a faithful remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More will be blessed.
Obadiah	Announcement of merciless judgment on Edom because of its arrogance and hatred of Israel. God will avenge Israel and establish his kingdom in Zion.
Jonah	Essentially not a prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More, but an extract from the biography of a prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More that can be interpreted prophetically. Jonah was sent to Nineveh to call for repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More. He only reaches the city by taking a circuitous route of disobedience. Nineveh turns back in response to his message.
Micah	Judgment and mercy. Judgment on Israel because of its unrighteousness. Mercy, because the Messiah will come from Bethlehem and establish his kingdom. It is also grace that God instructs his people in "what is good".
Nahum	Message of judgment against the city of Nineveh, which stands for the entire Assyrian kingdom. Over 100 years after Jonah, God's patience with Nineveh has come to an end because their repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More did not last. When God judges Assyria, He will restore the glory of Israel.
Habakkuk	Not a direct message to the people, nor a biography, but the intimate dialogue of a prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More with his God. While Jonah learns from God's ways with man, Habakkuk learns from God's words and develops from a questioning to a believing and rejoicing prophetA prophet is someone who receives a message from God and passes it on to a specific group in the Old Testament, very often Israel. Prophets are, therefore, in close... More.
Zephaniah	The day of the LordA period of time when the Lord Jesus will visibly appear on earth in power and glory to exercise judgment and subsequently establish His kingdom of peace (2 Thes 1:6-8;... More is near, it will bring judgment for the nations, but also for Israel and Judah. The prophet's main focus is on Jerusalem: its state at that time, which is worthy of judgment, contrasts with the future blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More that the faithful remnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More will receive there.
Haggai	Exhortation to the Jews who have returned from captivity to start building the neglected templeThe house and dwelling place of God in Jerusalem in the OT. The forerunner was the tabernacle.  It consisted of two main rooms, the sanctuary and the Holy of Holies,... More again. After they have done so, Haggai encourages them by pointing to God's help and the prospect of a glorious future.
Zechariah	Visions and messages about the city of Jerusalem, the people of God, and the nations connected to Jerusalem. Zechariah predicts the rejection of the MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,... More by the Jews, but also his appearance to establish the kingdom.
Malachi	The last prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More in the Old Testament is also addressed to the Jewish returnees from captivity, who have now fallen into a sad spiritual state. In a dialogue between God and the people, everything that God presents to them in love is stubbornly and complacently questioned. But even in this evil time, there are those who fear God.

 

6. Tools for studying the Minor Prophets

In order to understand the message of the Minor Prophets well, it is helpful to follow some "rules of thumb". Of course, many of these apply not only to the study of the Minor Prophets but also to other books of the Bible.

• Consider the historical background: The prophets often spoke directly to the situation of the time. To familiarize yourself with this, it is highly recommended that you read the relevant passages in the historical books (Kings and Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah). However, the historical background is not known for all the minor prophets.
• Interpretation before application: Before we ask ourselves the question: "What does this say to me?", we should know how this verse is to be interpreted in the context of the text. Otherwise, we run the risk of misapplying the message spiritually.
• BlessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More and curse: Throughout the Minor Prophets we find God afflicting the whole nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More with famines and natural disasters because of their sins. This was because of the principle of earthly blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More for faithfulness and withdrawal of blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More for unfaithfulness (see Deut. 26; Deut. 28). The people of Israel had submitted to the Law and now had to live by its rules. On the other hand, God always left room for repentanceWhile remorse (Greek metamellomai) means to regret a previous act or behavior and to have a different way of thinking about it, Repentance (Greek metanoia) goes further than that: It... More and had blessings in store. Other nations, who are also the subject of the prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More of the minor prophets, were not under the law; their judgment by God is based on how they behave towards His people and towards Himself.
• Double scope of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More: The minor prophets often predicted judgment (if there is no repentance) and/or blessing (if there is repentance). It is not uncommon for such predictions to have a "double scope". For example, when Joel predicts that an enemy from the north will invade Judah (Joel 2:1 and following), this was initially fulfilled in the invasion of Assyria in Isaiah's time (2 Kings 18). At the same time, however, this prophecy points to the end times, when Assyria will devastate Judah (cf. Dan 11:40-45; "king of the north" = Assyrians). The repeated mention of the Day of the Lord in Joel 2 makes it clear that his prophecy has this far-reaching dimension. Another example: When Micah wrote of the deliverance from Babylon in chapter 4:10, this found its preliminary fulfillment in the return of the two tribes to the Promised Land (Ezra 1), but here too the context makes it clear that the prophet was "thinking ahead" to the Millennial Kingdom of Peace. We are also thinking here of the quotations from the prophets in the New Testament, which sometimes point to a partial fulfillment of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More (see, for example, the quotation from Joel 2:28-32 in Acts 2:17-21).
• ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More at the center of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More: “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the ScripturesIn the NT, the various parts of the OT are referred to as “the Scriptures”; these are the “sacred letters/writings” (2 Tim. 3:15). “Every Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable... More the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). Christ is not in every sentence, but in every prophetic book (cf. Rev 19:10). Even in Obadiah, the "least" of the minor prophets, who deals almost exclusively with the judgment of an enemy of the people of God. The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, who motivated the prophets, made sure of this (cf. 1 Pet 1:11). Will not our hearts also burn (cf. Lk 24:32) when we seek and discover the Lord Jesus in the minor prophets?
• The assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More is not a theme of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More: We should not look for the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in the minor prophets – because we cannot find it there. The Church did not exist, nor was it known, at the time of the Old Testament (cf. Eph 3:5, 6). The first time we read of the Church is in Matthew 16:18, where the Lord Jesus speaks of the building of the Church as something to come. The building itself began at PentecostThis name (Greek) is used twice in the New Testament and means "the fiftieth day.” This refers to the 50th day after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This day... More (Acts 2).
• Israel as a subject of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More: The prophets repeatedly speak of Israel and its glorious future. These prophecies are to be taken literally and cannot simply be applied to the Church. Even if we are not part of the earthly people of God, we should still be interested in this part of prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More. God wants us Christians to know about it – otherwise, Paul would not have explained the subject of Israel’s future in such detail to the Christians in Rome (see Romans 11).
• Every prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More is part of a whole: We read this in 2 Peter 1:19, 20: “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning starThe morning star announces “the day”. The star so designated is the planet Venus. It is visible in the evening as the first star after sunset and then again in... More rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More of Scripture is of any private interpretation”. So we should not treat any single prophetic utterance about the future as a self-contained message that could be interpreted in isolation from the fullness of prophetic teaching. The prophecies are interrelated and can only be properly understood in the context of the whole. Thus the prophetic thread of the (minor) prophets is taken up again in the New Testament, especially in Revelation. Some cross-comparisons will help to place the prophecies mentioned there in their proper context.
• Day of the LordA period of time when the Lord Jesus will visibly appear on earth in power and glory to exercise judgment and subsequently establish His kingdom of peace (2 Thes 1:6-8;... More: Almost all the minor prophets mention this day in their prophecies (often called "that day" etc.). It does not mark a period of 24 hours but points to a time when God will establish His rule over the earth through judgment and exercise it in the kingdom. The Day of the Lord is characterized by the recognition of God's order (at least outwardly). Today, on the other hand, is still the "day of man" and many things are in blatant contradiction to the divine will.
• RemnantWe speak of a remnant when the majority of God's people have become apostates and have turned away from God. God calls the remnant the few who remain faithful to... More: An important keyword when studying the (minor) prophets! There are several remnants – what "remnant" meant is clear from the context. In general, it refers to those who want to remain faithful to God's Word in a time of general apostasyThe word means "to go" or "to depart," i.e., to move away from something. It is a "departure from a former state" (Acts 21:21: "apostasy from Moses"). It is about... More. We often use the term to refer to the faithful Jews in the time of tribulationIn the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel,... More who are rejected and persecuted by the AntichristThe Antichrist is a person of the end times who takes the place of Christ and is also his great adversary. He (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7)... More and the masses of people.
• Read more! Even if some passages are difficult to understand, the application to our lives seems almost impossible, and one serious threat of judgment replaces another – we must read on anyway! Only then will we be able to consider the message of the minor prophets when the time comes. Just as Peter quoted from Joel in his sermon (Acts 2:17-21), Stephen from Amos (Acts 7:42-43), and Paul from Habakkuk (Acts 13:41).

 

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Footnote:

[1] In the book of Jonah, we only find his message to Nineveh, but 2 Kings 14:25 makes it clear that he also worked in Israel. The prophecies of Nahum and Obadiah are mainly about Assyria (Nineveh) and Edom (the descendants of Esau) respectively - but indirectly there was a message for God's people.