Revelation 12: Great Wonders in Heaven and Israel :: By Mark A. Becker

Introduction

The chronological timing of Revelation 12: Great Wonders in Heaven and Israel, along with Revelation 11: In the Midst of the Tribulation, primarily occurs at approximately the midway point of the Tribulation.

I have no doubt that there are many competing views regarding this chapter, but, in general, there should also be much in agreement. There are also some interesting side issues to consider.

For instance, I know of a few ministries that also study astronomy and believe that the great wonder in Heaven of Revelation 12:1 is an astrological sign and claim that this specific cosmological event has occurred only recently. As astronomy is not my forte, I really do not have an opinion on this one way or the other, or that this celestial possibility may or may not have been the intent (or in addition to the intended intent) of the passage.

Nevertheless, the given imagery in the vision John saw, and the interpretation we will present below, seems to be straightforward in light of other Bible prophecies and revealed human and Israeli history.

Underlined Scripture passages are my own emphasis.

A Panoramic View of Israeli History

As the great wonders in heaven begin to take shape within Revelation 12, we see a panoramic vision of Israeli history, specifically, which will ultimately culminate in the Abomination of Desolation with its ramifications.

As with many prophecies, the imagery of these Great Wonders in Heaven tend to move back and forth through time in which it is imperative that the Bible student attempt to rightly divide and cut straight each prophetic vision.

While the primary interpretation of the first part of the vision seems primarily focused on Israel, there is also a human history component interwoven within, as we shall observe.

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” – Revelation 12:1-2

We are introduced to this first great wonder in heaven, and, as with many Bible prophecies, this sign provides a multifaceted, blended prophetic picture.

Here are our interpretive keys for this great wonder in heaven for your consideration.

Interpretive Keys:

Woman = Israel. Eve’s Protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15) and Mary’s physical birth of the Messiah are also in view.

Sun = The Father, as Israel’s Husband and spiritual covering.

Moon = The Holy Spirit, who symbolically reflects the essence of the Father on Earth to His people.

Clothed with the Sun = Israel is clothed with the Father’s love for her.

Moon under her feet = The Holy Spirit, as a member of the triune God, is divinely leading Israel in her prophetic destiny.

Crown of twelve stars = The 12 tribes of Israel.

Child = Messiah Yeshua and/or His representative offspring or seed.

Here is how I see the interpretive keys as described above applied specifically to Israel within the text.

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman [Israel] clothed with the sun [the Father], and the moon under her feet [the Holy Spirit reflecting the Father’s love and divinely guiding the prophetic steps of Israel], and upon her head a crown of twelve stars [12 tribes of Israel]: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered [Israel’s promised Messiah].” – Revelation 12:1-2

As noted above, we should also see within this passage an allusion to Mary receiving “that holy thing” by the Holy Spirit and giving birth to the Messiah (Luke 1:30-35), as well as the promised Protoevangelium in Genesis 3:15 that God made to Eve.

Next, we see “another wonder in heaven” that presents a panoramic view of Satan and his world empires throughout history. These world empires or kingdoms are exclusively those that have played, and will play in the prophetic future, key roles in Israel’s historical existence as a nation.

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon [Satan], having seven heads [seven world kingdoms] and ten horns [10 kingdoms that will arise in the future], and seven crowns upon his heads [authority given the seven world kingdoms].” – Revelation 12:3

What is interesting about this verse is that there are no crowns on the 10 horns as there will be in Revelation 13:1 [which signifies their crowning for “one hour with the beast” (Revelation 17:12) and will give their power to the beast (Revelation 17:13) when Antichrist takes total control of the world at the midway point of the Tribulation], yet there are crowns on the seven heads. The 10 Kings represented by the 10 horns, presumably upon the seventh head – the seventh kingdom before Antichrist’s eighth kingdom – will more than likely have their dominions in the first half of the Tribulation. All this indicates to me that the focus of this wonder is on the seven heads and its panoramic view of the seven kingdoms that have and will be prevalent in Israel’s history and future up to this time in the chronological timeline at the midway point of the Tribulation.

In our day, six kingdoms or six heads have passed, and the seventh is still future, with the Antichrist’s Mark of the Beast empire being the eighth, represented by the entire beast itself.

[For more on these seven heads and ten horns, please see Revelation 13 – The Beast.]

It will be Antichrist’s kingdom that purges Israel one last time from her land; a detail that will emerge later in our study of Revelation 12.

This “great wonder in heaven” then shifts to the ancient revolt of Satan [“the great red dragon”] against God as he takes a third of the angels [“the third part of the stars of heaven”] with him in his rebellion and “casts them to Earth,” where they all have been deceiving mankind for approximately 6,000 years.

“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:” – Revelation 12:4a

As happens often in prophetic passages, the prophecy then jumps in time to the birth of Messiah Yeshua, with a primary, secondary, and extended application available for consideration to the Bible student.

“… and the dragon [Satan] stood before the woman [Israel] which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child [Messiah] as soon as it was born.” – Revelation 12:4b

Primary Application: Satan inspiring Herod with the killing of children up to two years of age in an attempt to assassinate Messiah, the “king of the Jews.”

Secondary Application: The persecution and attempted extermination of Israel throughout her history.

Extended Application: The persecution of the church.

Ever since Satan encouraged Cain to kill his brother Abel, Satan has been on the warpath to destroy God’s people ever since. Satan was also instigating Christ’s death on the cross, as obviously Satan never considered that the cross was a pivotal element of God’s plan of redemption. This hatred of God and God’s people, as we shall see momentarily, will only increase in intensity and ferocity as Satan realizes that his time is desperately short!

“And she [Israel] brought forth a man child [Jesus Christ], who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child [Messiah Yeshua] was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” – Revelation 12:5

Man Child = Jesus Christ.

Her Child caught up to God and His throne = Jesus’ ascension into heaven, as He was the first fruits (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), as well as an allusion to the rapture of the church (Extended Application). There is also an additional interpretive theory that I will postulate as well (An Additional Alternative Interpretation).

Primary Application: Jesus Christ came into the world as a “suffering servant” (Isaiah 53), sacrificing Himself for the sin of the world on the cross as the Lamb of God. Afterwards, He died, was buried, and rose again.

The Lord, though, was not “caught up” to heaven, as the church will be, but was ascended (Greek 305) or carried up (Greek 399) or received up/taken up (Greek 353, 1889) as He left the earth 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9).

Extended Application: We seem to see an allusion to the rapture of the church.

The Greek word for “caught up” is ἡρπάσθη “hērpasthē” (used only this once) with the root word 726 ἁρπάζω “harpazó” (translated in Latin to “rapturo” for which we get our commonly used word “rapture”) and means, properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly). From a derivative of haireomai; to seize (in various applications) — catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

This is obviously the same word used by Paul when he referred to the rapture of the church:

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

So, there does seem to be a historical allusion to the rapture, which takes place prior to God pouring out His wrath, when John says that the child “was caught up [“harpazó”] unto God, and to his throne.

[For more on this topic, please see Instantly Changed and Caught Up.]

An Additional Supplementary Interpretation

Upon meditation on this passage, an additional alternative interpretation, that does not supersede the other interpretations above in any way, came to my mind. Here again is the verse, keeping in mind that “caught up” is ἡρπάσθη “hērpasthē” with the root word 726 ἁρπάζω “harpazó,” along with our additional supplementary interpretation, proposed as an alternative prophetic allusion in view.

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” – Revelation 12:5

In Revelation 14: Tribulation Outline, we observed the following concerning the 144,000 Israeli Witnesses found in Revelation 14:1-5:

The 144,000 Israeli evangelists are comprised of 12,000 virgin men from each of the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:4-8) and will, no doubt, be present in every nation on earth whose duration of testimony seems to be from the rapture of the church until the midway point of the Tribulation just before the Abomination of Desolation and in simultaneity with the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem…

After their ministry and testimony, they will, it seems, be transported to Jerusalem to meet their awaiting Messiah to take them to heaven, very similar to the rapture of the church. While the church meets the Lord in the air at the rapture, Jesus actually comes to Jerusalem and meets the 144,000 Witnesses, and immediately they are found in heaven “singing a new song before the throne and before the four living beings and the elders.”

Could this male “child” that “was caught up unto God, and to His throne” figuratively represent the translation of The 144,000 Israeli Witnesses around the middle of the Tribulation? Could Enoch’s translation represent the church, and Elijah’s translation represent the 144,000?

Notice what is said of the 144,000 concerning their fate:

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

“And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:1-4

[For a chronological breakdown of what transpires in Revelation chapter 14, an extremely important chapter, please see Revelation 14: Tribulation Outline.]

The 144,000 are translated and united with the Lamb, Jesus Christ, on Mount Zion, and the very next thing we are told is that “a voice from heaven” was heard and the 144,000, who “were redeemed from the earth and from among men” and are called the “first fruits unto God and the Lamb,” are suddenly seen in heaven singing a song that only they can sing without ever dying. This sure sounds like a rapture (hence the Greek word “harpazō” for “caught up” in Revelation 12:5, which is also applied to the rapture of the church in 1 Thessalonians 4:17) to me!

Essentially, Jesus will personally lead this contingent, as they will all be “caught up unto God, and to His throne” after their supernatural meeting on Mount Zion, in contrast to the rapture of the church in which those who “are alive and remain shall be caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Chronologically, the “rapture” of the 144,000 Israeli Witnesses (along with the death and resurrection of the Two Witnesses) will occur just before the Abomination of Desolation at the midway point of the Tribulation.

Since the 12th chapter of Revelation is dealing primarily with the nation of Israel – her history, her Messiah, Satan’s hatred of her, and his persecution of her after his expulsion from heaven – with events that will occur around the midway point of the Tribulation, I am beginning to see an allusion to this additional alternative interpretation and believe it should at least be considered as viable and in addition to the primary and extended applications presented above.

Notice also that chronologically, in the very next verse of our study in Revelation 12, we have the Abomination of Desolation where those who are able to flee Israel into the wilderness mountains will be supernaturally protected during the Great Tribulation – the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation (1,260 days).

“And the woman [Israel] fled into the wilderness [“a place that lacks population” – Petra/Mt. Seir mountains], where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days [the last half of the Tribulation].” – Revelation 12:6

[For more on the Abomination of Desolation and the dispersion of Israel from her land during the Great Tribulation, please see A Study of Zechariah 14:1-11.]

Satan Cast Out of Heaven

Following John’s witnessing the Great Wonders in Heaven, John sees Satan cast out of heaven.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” – Revelation 12:7-9

As we shall see in our concluding verses of Revelation 12, Satan and his host will be cast out and lose their access to heaven most probably toward the middle of the Tribulation, just prior to the killing of the Two Witnesses and the Abomination of Desolation.

Satan and the fallen angels, interestingly enough and Biblically substantiated, have always had access to God and evidently had “their place” in heaven when they assembled together, though they lost their positions and all heavenly authority. One obvious reason for believing this is because we know from the book of Job (Job 1:62:1) and Revelation 12:10, below that Satan has and does now have access to heaven.

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” – Revelation 12:10

Satan has always been accusing the people of God “before our God day and night,” but when he is finally cast down from heaven, he will not have that opportunity anymore.

Notice also the phrase “accuser of our brethren” which indicates that this is coming from the bride of Christ – either a collective “loud [great] voice” or the voice of one or more of the Elders representing the bride of Christ. Clearly those who give their lives to Christ during the Tribulation are the “brethren” of the bride of Christ; both groups will have come to salvation by “grace through faith” in the finished work of Messiah (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” – Revelation 12:11

The Hebrew word for “overcame” is 3528 ἐνίκησαν “enikēsan” – from “nikaō” – which occurs only here in Revelation 12:11.

According to Blue Letter Bible, the Hebrew tense for “enikēsan” is aorist, which “is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations.”

In our passage, therefore, I would recommend an alternative aorist tense of “overcome,” instead of “overcame,” because this statement is coming from heaven within the context of time as Satan is thrown down to Earth to focus exclusively on those inhabitants upon Earth.

In context with the following verse, and as we discovered in Revelation 11: In the Midst of the Tribulation, Satan will be cast out of his access to heaven towards the middle of the Tribulation. Therefore, these that “overcame (or “overcome”) [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and loved not their lives unto the death” would be those who are alive on Earth at this time and have or will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in the last half of the Tribulation.

All in all, however, it should also be noted that Christian martyrs in every generation have “overcame (or “overcome”) [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and loved not their lives unto the death – including those who have died in the first half of the Tribulation – and this may help to explain the aorist tense of this statement from heaven, representing both those who have already overcome and are already safe in heaven as well as to those alive on Earth who will overcome from this time forward.

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” – Revelation 12:12

Here is yet another reason to believe that this occurs toward the midway point of the Tribulation as the wrath of Satan and the final Vial Judgments, as detailed in Revelation 16, will do extreme damage and destruction to all “the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea,” and Satan, since he is cast out of heaven and down to Earth, “knoweth that he hath but a short time” in the Great Tribulation.

Our next verse is the concluding reason for confirming the idea that Satan will be expelled from his access to heaven toward the midway point of the Tribulation.

“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [Israel] which brought forth the man child [Jesus Christ]. And to the woman [Israel] were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” – Revelation 12:13-14

Here, again, is the flight of Israel to the wilderness mountains that we saw in Revelation 12:6, immediately following the Abomination of Desolation.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:” – Matthew 24:15-16

… the woman [Israel] were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place

“Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.” – Exodus 19:4

Just as God did in the Exodus from Egypt, so He will do again – albeit in a unique way – at the midway point of the Tribulation.

The place that He provides for Israel as they escape Antichrist’s Abomination of Desolation appears to be very similar to how God describes the nation of Edom (at times, Moab also had claim to this area) and their hallowed impregnable fortress of high rocky cliffs, some of which eventually became Petra …

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” – Obadiah 1:3-4

… where she [Israel] is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Israel will be “nourished” or fed for the duration of the Great Tribulation [times, and times, and half a time (Revelation 12:14) or “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (Revelation 12:6)], supernaturally protected “from the face of the serpent.”

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman [fleeing Israel], that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman [fleeing Israel], and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman [Israel], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Revelation 12:15-17

The phrase that “the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed…” should bring to remembrance God’s Protoevangelium:

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:15

However, “the woman” is prophetic Israel, and “the remnant of her seed” is believing Israelites and Gentiles who have come to Messiah Yeshua and “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Both groups – remnant Israel who will come to Messiah Yeshua during the Great Tribulation, as all of Israel will be saved, and believing Gentiles, collectively making up the Great Tribulation Saints – are “the remnant of her seed” and Satan, through Antichrist, will “make war” against them all in an attempt to annihilate the people of God.

In Revelation 11: In the Midst of the Tribulation, I made the following possible connection between Revelation 12:15-17 and Revelation 11:12-13 and provided the following theory that I shared with the reader.

“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they [The Two Witnesses] ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies [The Antichrist, his UN forces, and the people from many other nations already living in Jerusalem] beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven [the remnant of frightened fleeing Israelites that would witness this event as they were escaping to the mountain wilderness following the Abomination of Desolation].” – Revelation 11:12-13

This fear from the fleeing Israelite “remnant,” following the Abomination of Desolation, would be quite understandable, and they would certainly give “glory to the God of heaven” as they would all recognize at this time that they were deceived by Antichrist, and Yeshua was truly their once rejected Messiah!

It appears that the Antichrist’s UN forces will attack Jerusalem the same day that the Two Witnesses are resurrected. This attack, of course, would be subsequent to Antichrist going into the Temple, a few days after he kills the Two Witnesses, declares himself God, and sets up his image as he commits the Abomination of Desolation.

No doubt confusion will reign supreme, and many events will take place in those three and one-half days, including – but not limited to – Antichrist’s killing of the Two Witnesses, the celebration of the world because of the deaths of the Two Witnesses, celebrating Antichrist for defeating the Two Witnesses (probably with a parade and a magnificent speech), media interviews, visiting delegations of leaders from other nations, televising the Antichrist going into the Temple with pomp and circumstance along with the events that will inaugurate his newfound world-wide reign as the new and undisputed leader of the world, and then Antichrist will commit the Abomination of Desolation on that third and a half day when the Two Witnesses are “resurrected” and taken to heaven.

As the remnant of Israel is discovering that their “Messiah” is not the man they thought him to be, Israel will have no choice but to flee into the wilderness as the Antichrist forces begin to attack the Israelites in the city [A Study of Zechariah 14:1-11]. And as she flees, the UN forces will naturally pursue her. This will be at “the same hour” the Two Witnesses are resurrected and called up to heaven.

Then we read, concerning the earthquake, that “the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand” (Revelation 11:13).

The Greek word for “fell” is 4098 πίπτω “piptō” and its fundamental definition is to descend from a higher place to a lower.

I am going to try and link Revelation 11:13 to Revelation 12:13-17 and highlight verse 16, which reads:

“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Revelation 12:13-17

When Satan is thrown out of his access to heaven and cast to earth towards the midway point of the Tribulation, the focus of his wrath is on Israel as he more than likely takes possession of the Antichrist at this point. This should happen just before the Antichrist kills the Two Witnesses and ultimately commits the Abomination of Desolation and begins his assault through his UN forces on the Israelites in Jerusalem.

The “flood” in Revelation 12 seems to equate with the UN forces that will rape, kill, and then pursue the remnant of Israel as they are in the process of escaping the holy city. As the Two Witnesses are resurrected and taken up into heaven and the UN forces are beginning their pursuit of Israel, the earthquake hits, and the 10th part of Jerusalem, splitting up the earth and forming a long cavern – probably on the east/southeast side toward the Valley of Jehoshaphat – that will swallow up the 7,000 men pursuing them. I suspect the earth will then close upon those 7,000 men, trapping them and the structures that fell with them within the earth.

This helps to explain why Jesus Christ warned the Israelis that:

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.” – Matthew 24:15-18

There is an obvious sense of urgency in Messiah’s Words!

This opening up of the earth harkens back to God’s judgment on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16 and the deliverance of Israel from the pursuing Egyptians at the Red Sea.

“And it came to pass, as he [Moses] had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

“They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.” – Numbers 16:31-34

When we consider God’s deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea with the earth swallowing up Satan’s flood in Revelation 12:15-16, one cannot help but see the parallel with the following stanza in the victory song of Moses and Israel:

“Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.” – Exodus 15:12-13

Though the Israeli people will no longer be in their land of Israel for the remainder of the Tribulation – the last three and one-half years or 1,260 days – Satan, through the Antichrist and his forces, will continue to “make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” through his Mark of The Beast economic and worship system.

That is, until Messiah Yeshua and the armies of heaven – the kingdom of God/kingdom of heaven – come back to destroy the enemies of God, save His remnant of both Israelites and Gentiles who have come to faith in Him, redeem the land of Israel and His holy city of Jerusalem, and begin to set up His glorious Messianic Millennial Kingdom!

I always love a good ending! And that is what God is all about: Very good, exceedingly perfect endings!

***

May we all keep Answering the Call of The Great Commission, and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks us, “Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

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Egypt: Is Isaiah 19:1-17 a Prophecy in Process? :: By Bill Salus

According to several unfulfilled biblical prophecies, Egypt is en route to becoming the lowliest nation on earth. The day approaches when they will no longer say, “As goes Egypt, so goes the Middle East.

“It (Egypt) shall be the lowliest of kingdoms; it shall never again exalt itself above the nations, for I will diminish them so that they will not rule over the nations anymore(Ezekiel 29:15, NKJV; emphasis added).

This extreme drop in national ranking finds fulfillment in the Millennium, but the process appears to already be underway. This article will explore the proclamation against Egypt in Isaiah 19:1-18, which starts Egypt’s dramatic spiral downward.

You can read my complete verse-by-verse commentary on this subject in the article entitled, “Isaiah 19:1-18 Commentary on the Future of Egypt.” This present study serves as an enhancement and update to that composition. It goes into greater detail to illustrate how Isaiah 19:1-18 could be a prophecy unfolding detail by detail before our very eyes.

Through a sequence of significant events described in Isaiah 19:1-15, Egypt finds itself going toe-to-toe in a terrifying confrontation with Israel. This article will help show that this final conflict was not fulfilled in the wars between Egypt and Israel in 1948, 1967, or 1973.

In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He waves over it. And the land of Judah [in Israel] will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts which He has determined against it” (Isaiah 19:16-17, NKJV; emphasis added).

Presently, Egypt and Israel are struggling to hold on to the fragile peace treaty that was put in place in 1979. However, as the above passage points out, this agreement will become void because “The Lord of hosts…has determined…the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt.”

But why? What series of events provokes The Lord of hosts, Who doesn’t execute judgments randomly, to make such a devastating determination? Before answering this question, let’s look at a few recent inflammatory Egyptian events causing concern in Israel.

Egypt is threatening to void its decades-old peace treaty with Israel. What does that mean?(AP –2/12/24)

“‘Egypt ‘preparing for another Yom Kippur War,’ warns Israeli media site” (Middle East Monitor – 7/16/24)

“Israeli media have raised concerns about the increasing strength of Egypt’s air defense forces, citing their possession of highly advanced weaponry, mostly of Russian origin, as well as domestically produced arms. One website has even warned that Egypt is “preparing for another Yom Kippur War,” a reference to what Egyptians call the 1973 October War.”                        

Egypt military buildup in Sinai threatens peace with Israel, source warns” (Jerusalem Post – 3/31/25)

Friend or foe? Egypt’s $5 billion arms buildup and the question no one’s asking” (Allisraelnews – 12/29/24)

“Egypt has been engaged in one of the most aggressive military modernization and expansion programs in its history. Under President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s leadership, the Egyptian armed forces have been transformed into one of the world’s most formidable forces, with recent acquisitions including everything from aircraft carriers to advanced fighter jets, from German submarines to the latest American tanks.

This buildup has accelerated dramatically in the past decade, with Egypt recently securing another massive $5 billion arms deal with the United States. Sometimes the simplest questions are the most revealing: Why is Egypt pursuing such extensive militarization while struggling with severe economic challenges?

Recent evidence reveals that Egyptian military preparation is specifically oriented toward potential conflict with Israel. In military academies across Egypt, officers engage in a detailed study of Israeli military equipment vulnerabilities, with a particular focus on the Merkava Mark IV tank.”

The Sequence of Significant Events in 19:1-15

This next section identifies the sequence of significant events described in Isaiah 19:1-15 that provoke the Lord to judge Egypt. It will be followed by an exploration of the seemingly related prophetic details involving Egypt’s role described in Psalm 83 and Zechariah 12 in relationship to Isaiah 19:16-17.

  1. An Egyptian Civil Uprising

“The burden against Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst” (Isaiah 19:1, NKJV).

The very first verse points out that Egypt’s judgment will process rapidly, likened to a cloud moving swiftly through the windy sky. Immediately, Egyptian society will be shaken by civil unrest that will ultimately burgeon into regional conflict.

“I will set Egyptians against Egyptians; Everyone will fight against his brother, And everyone against his neighbor, City against city, kingdom against kingdom” (Isaiah 19:2, NKJV).

Interestingly, during Egypt’s 2011- 2013 uprising as an integral part of the Arab Spring, Egyptians fought against each other. Civil unrest plagued the nation as family feuds erupted and neighborhoods and cities fell into turmoil. Witnessing the events unravel, the scenario seemed to play out as predicted back in the 8th century B.C. in Isaiah 19:2.

Egypt at Risk of Civil War (The National Interest – 8/2/13)

“The turning point came on December 5, 2012,… Thousands of civilians ended up fighting each other in the streets with stones, wooden clubs, knives, and homemade guns. The clashes left several dead and hundreds injured.

Tahrir Square 10 years later: What happened to Egypt’s revolution?(CBS – 1/25/21)

“Egyptians who once stood together in solidarity on Tahrir Square turned on one another, in many instances along sectarian and political lines, and there were violent clashes in the streets… The protesters were lauded as heroes, and there was a new feeling of hope in the country. Egyptians had seen that peaceful, mass-demonstration could bring about real change. Many believed the square in the heart of the capital was not just a symbol, but a tool; Tahrir Square will be always there, they thought. We all know the way to Tahrir. If we want change, we fill it again and change will come.

It appears that the seedlings for the fulfillment of Isaiah 19 have already been planted in Tahrir Square. The protesters are currently held at bay by a military dictator named Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, but they understand, “we fill it again and change will come.

Isaiah 19:2 concludes with “Kingdom (will rise) against kingdom,” which alludes to a regional conflict, namely with Israel, as per Isaiah 19:16-17. This aspect of the verse is yet future, and implies that the story doesn’t end merely with civil unrest but eventually burgeons into a regional war. Perhaps there will only be this one uprising, but as stated above by the protestors, “all know the way to Tahrir, if we want change.” This beckons the question,Will there be a repeat uprising?”

  1. Quest for Spirituality

“The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will confuse their plans. They will plead with their idols for wisdom and call on spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead” (Isaiah 19:3, NLT).

Is it possible that Isaiah 19:3 could be speaking of what is taking place in Egypt today among Muslims concerning their mystical worship of calling on and consulting spirits for wisdom and advice? Following the civil uprisings of the Arab Spring, there has been a resurgence of these spiritual behaviors, which are common practices in Sufism.

Egypt’s millennial’s turn to Sufism”   (Al-Monitor – 07/ 2018)

REVOLUTIONARY RELIGION: YOUTH AND ISLAM IN POST-2011 EGYPT” (Data Space – 2021)

This dissertation examines how political participation in a revolution changed the landscape of religious discourse and practice. In particular, how Muslim youth partaking in the 2011 Egyptian uprising affectively responded to the promise and ultimate demise of a revolution… They no longer trusted the religious authorities whom they believed violated the religious teachings they had preached for years prior to the uprising… These youth now believe that there are many paths to gaining God’s favor. Some of them have turned to Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam.”

Notice that there just happens to be a modern revival of interest in Sufism after the years following Egypt’s revolution. Isaiah 19:3 says, “They will plead with their idols for wisdom and call on spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead.” This aspect of pagan worship in Sufism is explained below from an article entitled, “Islam vs Sufism: A Comparative Analysis Of The Key Points.”

In Sufism, it is often encouraged to invoke saints (awliya) for assistance, even if they are deceased or not physically present. This practice is based on the belief that saints possess spiritual powers and a connection to the unseen (ghaib), enabling them to intercede or assist those who seek their help. Followers are often directed to shrines or saints to resolve their problems…Followers often venerate saints’ graves and seek blessings there… It is widely believed that prophets (Ambiya) and saints (Awliya) remain in their graves just as they were in life — fully aware, interacting with people, and capable of assisting those who seek their help. It is also commonly claimed that they can come out of their graves when they choose and witness everything happening in the world.

New Age Sufism finds fertile ground in Egypt” (Religion Watch – Volume 35 No. 3)

“Meditation practices inspired from Sufism are gaining popularity in the Egyptian capital Cairo as people are looking for alternatives to rigid religious practices, writes Egyptian journalist Dalia Chams on the French website Orient XXI (January 9). This trend is part of a modern revival of interest in Sufism, evidenced by the phenomenal success of a book by Turkish novelist Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love, that was translated into Arabic in 2013 and is reported to have sold ten million copies in Egypt.”

  1. The Fierce King

“And the Egyptians I will give into the hand of a cruel master, And a fierce king will rule over them,” Says the Lord, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 19:4).

As a result of the national uprising, the Egyptians will be ruled by a dictator. Is Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi fulfilling this fierce king requirement presently? Below is an interesting quote from Wikipedia.

On 8 June 2014, Abdel Fatah el-Sisi was officially sworn in as Egypt’s new president. In April 2018, El-Sisi was re-elected by landslide in election with no real opposition. Under El-Sisi Egypt is said to have returned to authoritarianism. New constitutional reforms have been implemented, meaning strengthening the role of military and limiting the political opposition.

Egypt President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi: Ruler with an iron grip” (BBC – 12/1/20)

General Sisi—Egypt’s butcher president at large” (Socialist Worker – 11/3/15)

“Sisi has jailed over 40,000 people, torture is rife, and 3,400 people have been killed since his regime came to power. It was Sisi who designed the so-called ‘virginity tests’ of women protesters.”

With President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi return to authoritarianism and his strengthened military that is intentionally limiting the political opposition, he does seem to qualify as the fierce king, but only time will tell if he is. Whoever this dictator may be, while he is ruling over Egypt something catastrophic happens to the Egyptian economy.

Some teach that the fierce king in Isaiah 19:4 could have been either Psamtik I (Psammetichus I) (664-610 B.C.) or Esarhaddon (681-689 B.C.), but a close historical examination shows that not all of the prophetic details of Isaiah 19:1-17 were fulfilled during their reigns.

  1. Egypt’s Economic Collapse

As Egypt’s woes progress their entire economy collapses, starting with the drying up of rivers and streams.

“The waters of the NILE will DRY UP, and the riverbed will be PARCHED and empty. The CANALS will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and DRY UP; the reeds and rushes will WITHER. The bulrushes by the Nile by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will WITHER, blow away, and be no more. Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away” (Isaiah 19:5-8, BSB; emphasis added).

Stretching over 4,000 miles, the Nile River that courses through Egypt has long been recognized as the longest river in the world. This river remains an invaluable source of life for Egyptians. More than 95% of the country’s population depends on its water and lives within a few miles of the river banks.

In the King James Bible, Isaiah 19:5 says … “and the river shall be wasted and dried up, ” and in verse 6 … “the brooks of defense shall be emptied and dried up.” Isaiah is predicting a huge, catastrophic judgment upon Egypt’s Nile River and its canals and tributaries. Such a disastrous event has never occurred in all of Egypt’s recorded history. Thus, this aspect of Egypt’s judgment is yet future.

Could we be living at the threshold in time of witnessing this happen? If the significant events of Isaiah 19:1-4 are already in process, then this calamity should come next. Are we currently seeing signs of this coming?

Nile is in mortal danger, from its source to the sea” (France 24 – 2/11/22)

The pharaohs worshipped it as a god, the eternal bringer of life. But the clock is ticking on the Nile.”

Is the Nile River Drying Up? One of the World’s Most Famous Rivers Is in Danger” (Green Matters – 9/29/23)

Why Egypt’s Lifeline Is Drying Up | Nile Conflict” (The Archaeologist – 3/24/23)

The River Nile. One of the world’s most ancient and legendary waterways, bringing life to otherwise inhospitable regions of Egypt. But the Nile is slowly dying, its tributaries and channels drying up and threatening the livelihoods of millions who depend on its nourishing waters… But a major construction project upriver is further endangering the life of the river.”

The drying up of the Nile and its canals is accompanied or followed by the downfall in other areas of Egypt’s economy, including the textile industry.

“Moreover those who work in fine flax And those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed; And its foundations will be broken. All who make wages will be troubled of soul” (Isaiah 19:9-10).

Thus far, Egypt’s economy has not reached the point that “all who make wages will be troubled of soul,” but Sisi’s plan of prosperity for Egypt hasn’t been working.

How Sisi Ruined Egypt” (FP – 8/9/23)

“The coup leader turned president promised Egyptians prosperity, but the country is flat broke.”

Egypt: The Egyptian economy remains vulnerable despite positive momentum” (BNP Paribas – 2/11/25)

If Isaiah 19:1-17 is in process, then we can anticipate a drying up of the Nile and its tributaries, accompanied by a widescale economic collapse in Egypt. This point is emphasized in the next passage.

“The Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit. Neither will there be any work for Egypt, Which the head or tail, Palm branch or bulrush, may do” (Isaiah 19:14-15).

The Final War Between Israel and Egypt

The reason Isaiah proclaims divine judgment upon Egypt is discovered in the next passage.

“In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid and fear because of the waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He waves over it. And the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt; everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts which He has determined against it” (Isaiah 19:16-17).

In that day” that the events of Isaiah 19:1-15 are transpiring, Egypt will face off in a final war against Israel. Egypt fought and lost against Israel in 1948, 1967, and 1973, but those conflicts were not accompanied by the details in Isaiah 19:1-15. Thus, Egypt and Israel will have another war in fulfillment of Isaiah 19:1-17.

Egypt appears to be involved in two major prophecies related to Isaiah 19:1-17. Under the banner of the Hagarenes, they show up in Psalm 83. This prophecy involves a ten-member confederacy that seeks to wipe Israel off of the map.

“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes” (Psalm 83:4-6, KJV).

The image displays the modern-day identities of these confederating countries.

They are seemingly the same countries in Zechariah 12:2, 6. Zechariah calls them the surrounding peoples.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem” (Zech. 12:2).

In a final attempt to accomplish their goal to destroy Israel, the surrounding peoples, including Egypt, will attempt a siege upon Judah and Jerusalem. This will be an unsuccessful siege, and Israel will decisively defeat Egypt and the other surrounding Arab peoples of Psalm 83.

“In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem” (Zech. 12:6).

As a result of this bitter defeat by the Israeli Defense Forces, Isaiah 19:16-17 should find final fulfillment, and Egypt will become one step closer to becoming the lowliest kingdom on the earth. For more information about Zechariah’s prophecy, you can read my article entitled Zechariah 12: The War Before Armageddon.

The questions to be answered, in light of all the details presented in this article, are as follows:

  1. Has the Isaiah 19:1-15 process already begun?
  2. Was the Egyptian civil uprising, whereby Egyptians fought amongst each other, the first phase of Egypt’s impending swift judgment?
  3. Is Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi the fierce king of Isaiah 19:4?
  4. Are the Nile River and its tributaries drying up?
  5. Is Egypt’s entire economy on the verge of collapsing?
  6. Is Egypt increasing its military expenditures and enhancements happening so that Egypt can defeat Israel in a final Arab-Israeli war?

If the answers to these questions turn out to be yes, then Isaiah 19:1-17, Psalm 83, and Zechariah 12:1-9 are ancient prophecies that are about to find final fulfillment.

Five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan

“In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction” (Isaiah 19:18).

Isaiah concludes Egypt’s judgment prophecy by informing that “In that day,” five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan, which is Hebrew. This implies that Israel will possess five cities that are presently under Egyptian sovereignty when the prophecies spelled out in Isaiah 19:1-17 take place.

Isaiah’s use of “In that day” seems to connect best with the preceding events of Isaiah 19:1-17 rather than the details described subsequently in Isaiah 19:19-25. Whatever may be the application, the point is that someday Israel will possess at least five cities in Egypt. According to Genesis 15:18, the Bible identifies it as the Promised Land.

“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.’”