Exodus, Joshua and Revelation

The prophetic writings of the Israelites in Exodus and Joshua serve as a foreshadowing of the larger, future deliverance of God’s people that occurs in Revelation.

The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt via Moses and their entrance into the Promised Land via Joshua foreshadows the entrance of Christ’s followers into the new heaven and new earth.

In Exodus, the Pharaoh used torture to force God’s people to serve him. He issued an executive order that their newborn males should be slain. In Revelation, God’s servant writes, “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” [1] Revelation’s martyrs cry out for God’s intervention as the Israelites cried out for God’s help in Exodus. [2] God unleashed plagues on Pharoah’s kingdom. He unleashes plagues on the kingdom of the antichrist.

Some of the plagues that God releases against the kingdom of the antichrist are the same as the plagues He released on Egypt: rivers turned into blood [3]; sores [4]; hail [5]; darkness. [6] God freed His people from Pharoah and led them to the Promised Land. When Jesus Christ returns, He will gather His elect from all over the world and bring us into the new Promised Land. [7]

In Revelation, Satan is pictured as a dragon. When the dragon is unable to defeat Christ, he turns against His followers who are pictured as a woman and her children who keep God’s commandments. God gives His people wings of an eagle to escape from Satan. He provides for them a place of fellowship with Him in the wilderness. [8] In Exodus, after their escape from Egypt, God’s people journey through a wilderness to Mount Sinai where they receive the Law of God and enter a covenant with God. The Lord reminded them of His great power: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” [9]

In Revelation, God’s people are blessed to enjoy rest from their labors. They stand by a sea singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Reminiscent of the children of Israel singing and praising God after they saw Pharaoh’s army vanish in the Red Sea. They see the glory of the Lord, reminding us of the closing chapter of Exodus. [10]

It is interesting to note that Exodus speaks of 10 plagues and 10 commandments. He who opposed God got curses, and he who followed God got commandments. The commandments are guiding principles for living in harmony with God and with one another.

God’s covenant with the Israelites in Exodus is a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Jesus established with us His followers.

The description of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation draws parallels to the Promised Land given to the Israelites after the Exodus.

The Lamb in Revelation is a reference to Jesus. The Passover lamb in Exodus is a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus Christ delivers believers in Him from both physical and eternal death.

Joshua, whose name means ‘God saves’ is as a type of Jesus whose name likewise means ‘God saves.’ Joshua led the Israelites into the earthly Promised Land. Jesus leads His followers into the heavenly Promised Land. Joshua had a seven-year campaign to take the Promised land: 45 years less 38 years spent in the wilderness. [11] Jesus will similarly take possession of the earth after a seven-year tribulation period.

In Joshua, three kings were defeated east of the river Jordan, but seven nations/kings remained to be defeated by Joshua. The enemies of God confederated under Adonai-Zedek. In Revelation, the enemies of God will confederate under the Antichrist. [12].

In Joshua, Israel circled Jericho six days with seven priests blowing seven trumpets. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times and at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Israel shouted and God destroyed the city. In Revelation, Christ opens six seal judgements but the seventh seal heralds the seven trumpet judgements, blown by seven angels, which in turn leads to seven bowl judgements, and God destroys Babylon the capital city of the Antichrist. [13]

Revelation 11:15 states that “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation shows us that God will prevail. Let our allegiance be to Him alone. His beautiful plan for His followers is recorded in Revelation 21-22.

[1] Revelation 1:9
[2] Revelation 6:9-11, Exodus 3:7
[3] Exodus 7:19-21; Revelation 16:4-7
[4] Exodus 9:8-12; Revelation 16:1-2
[5] Exodus 9:22-26; Revelation 16:17-21
[6] Exodus 10:21-23; Revelation 16:10-11
[7] Matthew 24:31
[8] Revelation 12:13-17
[9] Exodus 19:4
[10] Revelation 14:13;15:5-6; Exodus 14:14-15:21; 40:34-38
[11] Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 2:14
[12] Exodus 17:8-16; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:30-37; Joshua 10:1-14; Daniel 7:8, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1-8; 17:3, 7
[13] Joshua 6:1-27; Revelation 6:1-10:11; 15:1-16:21; 17-18