Zephaniah 1:3

While the verse explicitly states "I will consume... the stumblingblocks with the wicked," it also clearly states "I will cut off man from off the land," which directly implies the cessation of existence for humanity, including the wicked, as a result of divine judgment.

There is no strong argument that this verse does not support the theme, as it explicitly uses the word "consume" multiple times and "cut off" in reference to the fate of man and beast.

The verse describes a general, widespread destruction of living things and wicked people from the land, but it does not explicitly mention "Christ's return" or "fire," which are specific elements of the theme definition.

The verse uses the word "consume" multiple times, but this word in English does not inherently imply consumption by fire. The text describes a comprehensive destruction of living things and "stumblingblocks with the wicked" and a cutting off of man from the land, without any mention of fire, burning, flames, or related terms.

While the verse uses concrete imagery, the hyperbolic nature of consuming "man and beast" and "fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea" could be interpreted as a metaphorical description of widespread destruction rather than a precise, literal eradication of every single creature.

The verse describes a comprehensive removal or consumption of various entities from the land, which could be interpreted as a cleansing or a natural consequence of certain actions rather than an explicit act of divine punishment.

The verse describes God's actions and pronouncements of judgment, but it does not describe *how* Zephaniah received this information. The phrase "saith the Lord" indicates divine speech, but not the method of its communication to the prophet.