Events in Exodus parallel events in Revelation. Israel’s subjugation by “Egypt” symbolizes the evil one’s desire to enslave and defile God’s people. God intervenes for His people when they pray and cry out to Him. God graciously does mighty miracles to rescue His people from the grip of the evil one.
Satan’s goal is to subjugate and defile God’s bride. He wants Israel to be a city of harlotry and not a holy city married to God. The opening of the seven seals by Christ in Revelation begins His judgments of righteousness against the works of the evil one. Just as Jesus, the Son of God, carried out the will of His Father to die on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity, He will carry out to the letter the will of the Father and judge the world in righteousness.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” “The Lord is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.” [1]
In Exodus, the Lord tells Moses, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So, I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…” [2]
In Revelation, the Lord gives John a vision of a scroll with seven seals. No one, but Jesus Christ is worthy to open the scroll and release the judgments contained therein. When seal number five is opened, “souls who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held… cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” The end-time judgments on evil are God’s response to the sufferings and prayers of His people. [3]
In various places in Revelation the prayers of the saints are called the incense of heaven. “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake.” [4] The prayers of God’s people fuel His response to evil.
These events will occur in connection with and following Christ’s return, as they occurred in connection with and following Moses’ return to Egypt after a time of being away from them. Moses brought Israel out to establish a new country governed by the Word of God. Jesus Christ leads His people to a city whose founder and maker is God.
Egypt released Israel when the Lord slew the firstborn son of whoever failed to place the blood of lamb over the doorposts of their dwelling. The Revelation-era saints overcome the Satan by the blood of the Lamb. [5]
Exodus recounts God’s rescue of His enslaved people from the mighty grip of evil and its powerful ruler. Revelation was written during a time when another powerful nation, Rome, and its leader, dominated God’s people the Church. The Lord says no worldly power can keep Him from bringing His people to Himself.
God carried Israel on eagles’ wings and brought them to Himself. God also saves His people from the dragon who seeks to destroy her in the last days. His bride is given two eagle’s wings to fly into the wilderness. [6]
Satan’s helpmate in the battle for the hearts of people is described as an immoral harlot. God’s helpmate is described as His bride who is beautiful and eventually adorned with the finest adornments of God. Satan’s partner is destroyed with fire. God’s bride is brought into His presence to abide with Him forever. [7]
The Exodus imagery of oppressed people converted into a kingdom of priests for God resonates with the Revelation imagery of God’s persevering people “made to be a kingdom and priests.” This thought is repeated in the worship song of the four living creatures and twenty-four elders who proclaim that God had purchased the Church by His blood and “made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” [8]
[1] Revelation 19:11; Psalm 96:13
[2] Exodus 3:7-8
[3] Revelation 5:1-10; 6:9-10
[4] Revelation 8:4-5; see also Revelation 5:8
[5] Revelation 12:11
[6] Exodus 19:4; Revelation 12:13-17
[7] Revelation 17:1-6; 21:1-26
[8] Revelation 1:6; 5:10
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