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offers three prophetic words relating to the destruction of Egypt as a world power.

Ezekiel 28:25-26 reaffirms the security and protection of Isra'el while "their contemptuous neighbors" face full judgment. 29:1-16, given a year later, is a detailed parable of the particular selfish character of Egypt as a world power and the certainty of its desolation as Isra'el watches, which also recalls the plagues by now already familiar to the Nile region. Then 29:17-21, given 15 years later, emphasizes that Bavel (Babylon) has absorbed all the spiritual character both of Tzor (Tyre) and of Egypt, while God yet "will cause power to return to the house of Isra'el". Ezekiel's common thread is the certainty of protection for those truly reliant solely on God in the day of trouble.

Revelation 16 provides yet another and stronger witness to this principle. Here one of the world powers is "Bavel" (Babylon), the mother of whores (16:19, 17:5), and I am often asked about Bavel's future identity. Well, first, the Scripture gives its own excellent interpretation. She is "the great city that rules over the kings of the earth" (17:18). This can mean a literal city or perhaps a close organization, though not a nation. Second, we know from the other Scriptures that this city has absorbed all the evil character of the former powers: the selfishness of Egypt, the commercialism of Tzor, and the wealth of Bavel, along with other known characteristics such as the iron will of Rome. The nature and not the geography itself is what we must apprehend.

When will these plagues come, which appear much worse than the ten plagues? First, remember that many tribulations continue today, before the Messiah comes, but his people will be delivered from them (Matt. 24:29-30). Then, remember that Daniel received the promise that a prophetic week (seven years) would precede the final wrath of God, which would come swiftly. These seven years begin with a covenant, cut between a prince to come and many nations, and broken 3.5 years later. So no matter what, the saints of the day will have plenty of time to escape Babylon and her plagues (compare Revelation 11).

What to do today? You already know, really. Prepare for chaos, but trust God to reign. Refuse to yoke yourself with unaligned interests (2 Corinthians 6:14). The plagues to come will resemble a worldwide Ten Plagues: note in the passage the repetition of painful sores, blood in the sea, rivers and springs, darkness, frogs, and huge hailstones. These are all magnified, while a new plague, the intensely burning heat of hell, is added. And yet, in the midst of this, mercy is still available up until the last moment, with the blessing promised to "those who stay alert and keep their clothes clean", even during Armageddon.

You see, if you continue your genealogical chart from Moshe's brother-in-law Nachshon, you will come to Nachshon's most famous descendant, Yeshua of Natzeret. He is the one seen by Yochanan (John) in the book of Revelation, offering these mercies of God. The point is that Yeshua, the Messiah, just like Moshe, will be victorious and vindicated even against the worst that the world power can develop over the course of all history. When you know that the Messiah will conquer the worst of all, you have full confidence he will conquer the little nuisances in your own life; and the accuser has no remaining ground whatsoever to claim anything contrary. By permitting the backdrop of the worst plagues ever, God shows himself at his most glorious ever: not because of those who are condemned, but through those who are saved in its midst.

Learn more about this author, Helena Handbasket.
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