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Last Updated on : November 23, 2014

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The Smiting and Healing of Egypt

 


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The Lion-power will not interest itself in behalf of the subjects of God's Kingdom from pure generosity, piety towards God, or love of Israel; but upon the principles which actuate all the governments of the world - upon those, namely, of the lust of dominion, self -preservation, and self -aggrandisement. God who rules the world, and marks out the bounds of habitation for the nations, will make Britain the gainer by the transaction. He will bring her rulers to see the desirableness of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba, which they will be induced, by the force of circumstances probably, to take possession of. They will, however, before the battle of Armageddon, be compelled to retreat from Egypt and Ethiopia; for 'the king of the north shall stretch forth his hands upon the land of Egypt, which shall not escape: and the Libyans and Ethiopians shall be at his steps' (Dan. 11 :43). Hence, these will become the battleground for a time, until the seat of war is removed to the Mountains of Israel, where by the Autocrat's discomfiture, the war is brought to an end between the Image giant of Assyria and the Lion of the North and Fast.
- John Thomas, Elpis Israel.

 


Our last article of Bible Prophecy, outlined the first work of conquest to be under-taken by the Lord Jesus following the judgment of the household. He will first send forth Elijah and his associates to the Jewish communities that remain outside of the Land, to apprise them that their Messiah has returned, and to urge upon them to make preparation to leave the countries of their dispersion, and return home to Israel. Meanwhile, Christ will emerge from Sinai in company with the saints aLrainst a world at war. He first will subdue the Arabs, and discipline Egypt. prior to moving against Russia in Egypt. For, by that time, "tidings out of the east and north" will have caused Russia to withdraw her main body of troops from Egypt. and leaving onl\, an occupying force, consolidate her position at Jerusalem. Christ will move into Egypt, to smite and heal the ancient nation as Isaiah 19 reveals. In our last Prophetic Supplement (previous article), we promised to give consideration to the prophets "burden concerning Egypt" (Isaiah 19) and we now direct ourselves to that task. These Supplements, which we aim to include with each issue of Logos as funds become available through voluntary contributions of readers, deal successively with Archaeology, the History of' the Truth, and Bible Prophecy.

 


 

Shadows Of Future Events

The clear, forthright language of Brother Thomas is a great contrast to the vague, uncertain meanderings of many of his critics. Moreover, events have justified his conclusions. Elpis Israel was published in 1848, whereas Britain did not occupy Egypt until 1882. Since then, "before the battle of Armageddon," Britain has been compelled to retreat from Egypt," and her place has been taken by the Soviet power from the north.

However, Daniel 11 implies that the present policy of co-operation between Egypt and Russia will terminate, and Russia, from the north, will stretch out her hands against the land of Egypt which will not escape.

There is not wanting evidence, to show the possibility of this, even now. In fact, events today are casting their shadows in such a way as to imply the imminent fulfilment of Isaiah 19. This is a chapter that should be closely studied by even, keen student of prophecy, for it is obvious that Egypt is to play a large part in the development of the latter day crisis among the nations. Already the foundations are being laid for the fulfilment of this remarkable prophecy.

Isaiah 19 Relates To The Future

That Isaiah 19 relates to the future is beyond all doubt. Six times it directs attention to a day that lies in the future (see vv.16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24), and which can be aligned with Paul's declaration that "God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom He hath ordained" for the purpose (Acts 17:31). The result of this future judgment will be that "Yahweh shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Yahweh" (v.21), and He shall bless them, saying: "Blessed be Egypt My people" (v.25).

Certainly that blessing has never been bestowed as yet, in spite of the claims of orthodox commentaries that Onias the Jewish priest built a temple to the God of Israel in Egypt, and that Egyptians came to "know Yahweh" through that means and the establishment of the so- called Christian Coptic Church in that nation.

No, the prophesy awaits the future, when the burden that has rested so heavily upon Egypt for so long, will be lifted by the Lord Jesus Christ during his work of conquering and redeeming the world.

The prophecy is styled: "The burden of Egypt" (Isa. 19:1). The word "burden" is from the Hebrew "massah" from "nasah", to lift, to raise up, therefore something that is heavy and burdensome, requiring to be lifted. The "burden" of Egypt" relates to the smiting of the nation, through which it will be disciplined and healed (Isa.19:22).

Egypt: The Oppressors

The name "Egypt" in the original is "Mitzraim", and is still used by the Arabs to this day. Mitzraim was the second son of Ham, and grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:6). His name signifies "oppressors," and the identification of Egypt with it, captions the period of oppression which Israel experienced whilst there. The plural name is given, because, originally there were two kingdoms: Upper and Lower Egypt which afterwards were fused into one. Nevertheless, before the Pharaoh arose "who knew not Joseph" (Exod. 1:8), Egypt had proved a friend and a refuge to Israel, providing shelter and sustenance in time of need. Yahweh never forgot that, and therefore the Law granted special concessions for Egyptians that will continue into the Kingdom. It legislated: "Thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of Yahweh in their third generation" (Dent. 23:7-8).

This was in contrast to Ammonites or Moabites who were not permitted at any time to enter into the congregation of Yahweh (Deut. 23:3).

The national existence of the Ammonites and Moabites has long since come to an end; but not so Egypt, and that nation will find a place in the Kingdom Christ will set up, as Isaiah's prophecy, in agreement with others in the Word, clearly reveals. The oppressors of Israel will finally be disciplined and converted.

Yahweh Invades Egypt

"Behold, Yahweh rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt" declared the prophet (Isa. 19:1).

The imagery is introduced suddenly and abruptly, in such a manner as to capture the attention, as a fitting description of what shall take place when Christ moves against this ancient enemy of Israel.

For the "swift" cloud relates to the multitudinous Christ, then glorified, as the manifestation of Yahweh. They will constitute "the Name of Yahweh coming from far, burning with His anger" (Isa. 30:27), for during Gentile times they have been "taken out of the nations a people for His name" (Acts 15:14). The immortalised elect are described elsewhere as "the clouds of heaven," and are found in association with the Lord Jesus as he emerges from Sinai for the work of conquest (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

A detachment of those clouds of heaven will be directed against Egypt in the name of Yahweh. to compel its subjection to the Lord. We say. a detachment, because it will not need the full complement of the saints, each of whom will wield Divine power, to do this. In the aggregate they will comprise "a great multitude, which no man can number" (Rev. 7:9), and such a huge company of immortals will not be necessary for the work in hand. The word "swift" is from the Hebrew "Qal", signifying "light," and by implication "swift." It thus implies that a small detachment of the unnumbered multitude of the elect will be sent into the land of darkness to reveal the light of the Truth.

The invasion of this strange host manifesting supernatural power, will cause fear and perturbation throughout the land. The prophet declares:

"The idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it" (Isa. 19:1).

The Hebrew word "nuwah", here rendered "moved," also signifies "to be removed," and we would suggest that that is how it should be here rendered. Dumb idols are not capable of emotional feelings, but can be removed, and that is what is going to happen to the Moslem and Coptic superstitions of modem Egypt. The presence of Christ will destroy all forms of false religion, and cause the very heart of Egypt to melt with fear.

This first verse of the prophecy actually announces the final results of Yahweh's purpose, and therefore should not be considered in chronological sequence with the rest of the chapter. This is in accordance with a common principle of Bible prophecy, for frequently the ultimate purpose is first announced, and then follows an outline of the steps by which this will be brought about. This is particularly the case with Isaiah's prophecies. An example is found in Chapter 2. The future peace and glory of Jerusalem is first described (vv.1-4), and then follows the means by which this will be brought about (vv. 5 -22). Another example is provided in Revelation 11. The Revelator first declares that "the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Christ" (v.15) and then predicts the way in which this will be effected (see v.18).

In like manner, the invasion of Egypt by Christ, described in Isaiah 19:1, proclaims Yahweh's ultimate purpose, and the rest of the chapter reveals how it will be arranged.

Egypt Under Gog - Vv. 2-4

The prophecy predicts that Egypt will be given "into the hand of a cruel lord" (v.4). As the prophecy relates to the "time of the end," and the Bible makes reference to only one "cruel lord" at such an epoch, this can refer only to the Russian Gog. Thus Isaiah supplements the prophecy of Daniel who speaks of the attack by the King of the North against Egypt (Dan. 11:40-45).

These predictions show that the Russian Gog will assume the status of an invader. At present, the Soviet has offered Egypt the hand of friendship, but eventually this will be replaced by the mailed fist of war. Russia is not prepared to pour weapons and wealth into Egypt without some concrete results therefrom, and whilst she can well afford to be satisfied with what she has obtained already by her intervention in Middle East affairs, there is a limit to her toleration of Egyptian inefficiency. What has Russia gained? She has obtained a foothold in the Middle East, her navy is permitted to patrol the eastern Meditteranian, she has infiltrated with her advisers and technicians into Egypt, she has prepared the way for eventual domination of the area.

The past failures of Egypt against Israel have assisted rather than retarded Russian plans in the Middle East. They have caused Egypt and the Arab world to lean more heavily on Russia for aid, and have permitted her to come to the "assistance" of her "friends," by actual and active intervention.

But a further failure on Egypt's part will provide no greater help to Russia, and eventually the Soviet will move more directly against the Middle East to further her plans for world domination. When she attacks Turkey (as she will do without doubt), the Moslem world will react against her, and she will be forced to belligerently invade them and as indicated by Daniel 11:40-45.

Egypt will be in no position to effectively resist, for it will be weakened inside and out. Within there will be fighting, without there will be fears. Yahweh through the prophet declares:

"I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians; and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom (the LXX has 'district') against kingdom."

This suggests a state of internal strife and civil war. What will cause this? We are not told; but it could be brought about by reaction against the present pro-Russian policy of Egypt, at a time when Russia will move against Turkey in the north (Rev. 16:12, Dan. 11:40). Whatever the cause, the result will be disastrous to Egypt:

"The spirit of Egypt shall fail (mg. "be emptied") in the midst thereof; and I will destroy (mg. "swallow up") the counsel thereof: and they shall seek idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards" (v.3).

In view of the threatened attack, the spirit of Egypt (weak at any time) will be poured out like water, particularly in view of the divided counsels among her politicians. There will be no help from that direction. Egypt will see that her erstwhile friend, Russia, has become her bitter enemy, and what "counsel" there was, will be swallowed up in fear.

In her extremity Egypt shall appeal for help from two directions: (1) The Idols; and (2) - Those with familiar spirits, etc.

Who are they?

The Hebrew word translated "idols" signifies that which is good for nothing, and from the reference in v.1, suggests that it can be identified with the religion of Egypt: Mohammedism. Egypt will appeal to the Moslem world for help, but in vain. At that time, the whole world will be involved in war, and no one will have the means or inclination to help Egypt.

The expressions "the charmers, those with familiar spirits, the wizards" are used elsewhere (Isa. 8:19) for the Apostasy. Egypt will seek help from the so-called Christian world, but as with the Moslem world, it will be too involved in its own trouble to spare any real, effective help for Egypt.

Meanwhile, Russia will drive south from Turkey, along the coastal plains of Palestine, for the moment bypassing Jerusalem, in a lightning attack on Egypt, and, as Daniel declares, "the land of Egypt shall not escape." Russia will lay its hands on Egypt, and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps" (Ch. 11:43).

This latter phrase suggests a period of consolidation of power in Egypt, which brings the neighbouring countries of Libya and Ethiopia to heel. Russia will now be in a most powerful position to exert her influence on the whole world, and will assert her dominance over Egypt with typical brutality, and she did in Hungary:

"And the Egyptians will I give over (mg. shut up, or surrender) into the hands of a cruel lord! and a fierce king shall rule over them" (v.4).

This "cruel lord" and "fierce king" is Gog. He will occupy Egypt until "tidings out of the east and north" shall cause him to withdraw his main forces, to challenge the growing western influence at Jerusalem (Daniel 11:44-45).

We are greatly privileged that we can see the shadows of this at the present time. The steadily increasing interest and influence of Russia in Egypt is in accordance with Bible prophecy, and constitutes a clear sign of the times. We are living in the epoch of Christ's coming. Of that here is no doubt, and we should rejoice in the fact.

Egypt's Dire Poverty - Vv.5-10

Each attack that Egypt has made on Israel has reacted against her, and increased her internal problems. Today, with Jewish forces stationed on the Suez Canal, Egypt's economic state is extremely precarious. The wealth that once flowed into the coffers of Egypt from that source has dried up like the Canal itself; and what was once the lifeline of the British Empire, is now a threat to British influence. Britain prefers the Canal to remain inoperative, though Russia desires it opened. With her fleet in the eastern Mediterranean, and her policy of increasing influence in the Near East, the Suez Canal would provide her with a ready and quick access to India and the Far East.

Russia desires the Canal re-opened for political and trade reasons; Egypt desires it for economic reasons; but Israel refuses to withdraw.

The result is a stranglehold on Egyptian economy. It has dried up like the waters of the Canal.

Read this amazing prophecy as rendered in the A.V. and R.S.V.:

"And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. And its canals will become foul, and the branches of Egypt's Nile will diminish and dry up, reeds and rushes will rot away. There will be bare places by the Nile, and all that is sown by the Nile will dry up, be driven away, and be no more . . . . The workers in combed flax will be in despair, and the weavers of white cotton. Those who are the pillars of the land will be crushed, and all who work for hire will be grieved" (vv. 5- 10).

The Suez Canal, and other canals of Egypt, are silting up.

It is claimed that even if the Israelis were to immediately withdraw from the Suez Canal, it would be months before it could be properly restored. Meanwhile, trade is in decline, particularly in regard to cotton, and Egypt today subsists on the grants received from other nations.

This, of course, is but the foreshadowing of even worse conditions at the time of the end. The words of Isaiah can be applied literally and figuratively. "The waters shall fail from the sea" literally, as the Canal silts up. Whilst the expression can denote figuratively that her foreign trade will cease. All classes of society will be affected by the general calamity, from the wealthy employer to the lowliest labourer. Egypt will be thoroughly humbled by depression as the following conditions are gradually felt:

1. Commerce will cease (v.5);

2. Egypt shall be isolated from help, its canals shall silt up, poverty will become acute (v.6);

3. The fields will be left uncultivated (v.7);

4. The fishing industry will go into decline (v.8);

5. Industry will close down (v.9);

6. Both rich and poor will be involved in the general calamity (v. 10).

Egypt's Political Folly - Vv. 11-13

The prophet then proceeds to mock at the stupidity of Egypt's rulers. It is foolish and irrational, he declares, and a great contrast to the ancient power, wisdom and prestige of the nation (v.5):

"Where are they? Where are the wise men?" he mocks. "And let them tell thee now, and let them know what Yahweh hath purposed upon Egypt" (v.12).

Christ will reveal Yahweh's purpose unto them; but, in the meanwhile, they are in complete ignorance of it, though evidences of it are seen in the modern revival of Israel:

"The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph (Memphis, adjacent to Cairo) are deceived; they have seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof."

The foolish, perverse policy of Egypt's rulers has seduced the nation, bringing it to the brink of ruin, for "Yahweh hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit" (v.14).

Yahweh has mingled this perverse spirit in Egypt. But how has He done it? Not by direct intervention, for Yahweh does not force a man or a nation to be perverse. However, He often manipulates circumstances that produce it. And that is the case with Egypt. What are the circumstances that have produced the perverse spirit in Egypt?

There is but one answer: the revival of modern Israel. This is the work of Yahweh, and the cause of Egypt's perverse spirit. The nation has become intoxicated by envy and hatred, and this has led to the manifestation of a perverse spirit which is the root cause of her undoing. As a result, all classes of society will become involved in the economic depression and unemployment crisis which will sweep the nation with increasing severity as the end approaches.

The Healing Of Egypt - Vv. 16-25

There is no hope for any political aggrandisement for Egypt. Her present humiliation will increase, her economical plight will worsen, and her national independence will be cut short by the invasion of Gog, and his occupation of the land.

The stupid, perverse policies of its rulers will be the downfall of the nation, which will be ultimately humbled to the dust.

But this will also contribute to its healing, for having tasted the dregs of humiliation, it will be ready to receive a Saviour when he appears with power to implement a policy of reform.

The healing of Egypt will then be effected. Its process is described in this chapter by a series of six acts each of which is prefaced by the words: "In that day..."

(1) Egypt Will Be Humbled (vv. 16-17)

In these verses, the belligerent title of Yahweh is introduced (Yahweh of Armies) because He will be manifested in the army of the redeemed. The Revelator (Rev. 19:11, 14) declared:

"I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war . . . And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

The "heaven" is the political heaven of the future; and the army is the multitudinous Christ in belligerent array. In the passage before us (Isa. 19:16) its Commander in chief (Isa. 55:4) is represented as shaking (Roth. - "brandishing") his hand against Egypt. This denotes a warning and a threatening attitude, as expressed in the ultimatum that later will be set before all nations:

"Fear God, and give gory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountain of waters" (Rev. 14:7).

In view of this declaration, and the obvious power of the one proclaiming it, the ambassadors of the nation will ask for the identification of his credentials, and authority. The answer received will be:

"Yahweh who hath founded Zion" (Isa. 14:32).

The purpose of Yahweh will then be revealed (see Isa. 19:12, 17). It will be declared that all who refuse to submit to the authority of this new power from Teman will be disciplined and destroyed (Isa. 60:12). Egypt will be given the choice of submitting politically and spiritually, or being compelled by force to do so.

The identity of this new Power from Teman will be heard with consternation throughout Egypt. The people will tremble, as they recall the traditional anti-Semitism of Egypt over the years, and will fear retribution from this more terrifying manifestation of Israeli might:

"And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, everyone that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself because of the counsel of Yahweh of hosts, which he hath determined against it."

Already, the land of Judah is a terror unto Egypt; how much more so will this be the case when the King of the Jews is present again in the earth!

(2) Egypt Converted (v.18)

Thus humbled and put in mortal fear, Egypt will be ready to hearken to and accept the instruction of the Lord Jesus.

In consequence, the Truth will be established in Egypt as the national religion:

"In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Yahweh of hosts; one shall be called The City of Destruction" (Isa. 19:18).

Five is the number of grace, and five cities thus appointed will be centres in Egypt where the truth concerning the grace and mercy of Yahweh will be proclaimed. They will constitute centres of instruction, presided over by saints who will be established in Egypt as its princes under the new Administration (Rev. 5:9-10). From them the "language of Canaan" will be taught the people.

That language is Hebrew. Zephaniah likewise predicts:

"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Yahweh, to serve Him with one consent" (Zeph. 3:9).

Hebrew will become the official language throughout the world in the Kingdom Age, and will help to unite the people as one. It will be recalled, that at Babel, the languages of the nations were confused: at Zion, unity even of speech, will be established.

The "pure language" however, relates not merely to Hebrew, but also to the doctrine of truth which is most effectively proclaimed through the Hebrew language.

This instruction shall cause Egyptians to "swear" allegiance to Yahweh, entering into covenant relationship with him.

One of the centres will be particuIarly significant: for it shall be called "The City of Destruction" or Herec.

The margin renders this, the "City of the Sun." which would align it as a memorial to Christ as the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2). This is supported by the Septuagint which has "The City of Righteousness."

However, the Hebrew word signifies "Destruction," and on due reflection, this seems more appropriate. Otherwise, why should not all five cities share the caption of City of Righteousness? Only one of them has this distinctive title. Why? likely because it may be the site of the destruction of the remnant of Gog's forces at the hands of Christ, prior to the destruction of the main forces of Gog at Jerusalem.

Thus, as there will be a vast mausoleum erected to the east of Jordan (Ezek. 39:11, 15-16) to commemorate the overthrow of Gog, and to stop the mouth of rebellion among the people ascending to Zion for worship during the Millenium, so there will be in Egypt, and perhaps also in other lands where there will be similar victories (Jer. 25:33).

(3) Yahweh Memorialised in Egypt (vv.19-20)

Next, permanent memorials will be set up in the land to constantly bring Yahweh to the attention of the people. There will be an "altar to Yahweh" in the midst of the land, and a "pillar at the border thereof" (v. 19).

Again, clerical commentaries have mangled this beautiful provision for the future, some seeing in this altar a reference to the Great Pyramid of Egypt, the measurements of which, they claim, set forth the chronological purpose of God.

Instead, as Brother C.C. Walker comments in The Ministry Of The Prophets: Isaiah p. 356:

"This 'altar of the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and pillar at the border thereof,' will be monuments memorialising the fact that the Lord has conquered and possessed Egypt, just as He did Canaan by Joshua and His people in the days of old. Current traditional theology has divorced from his name all idea of a future salvation to be wrought by Him in the land of Epypt; but God's ideas are not affected by human opinions, and the day will come of which Isaiah speaks, when, like Moses of old, the Saviour 'shall deliver them.' Egypt will be again the scene of divine manifestation, all unexpected by 'the modern Pharaoh.' There will be another Moses, another controversy, more magicians exposed in various unexpected ways, and finally the country will be subjugated in blessedness with Israel to God."

Perhaps it would he better if the analogy were made to Joseph rather than to Moses, for the former acted as Saviour of Egypt, whereas the latter did so to Israel, to the overthrow of Egypt. Be that as it may, this altar will be set up as a memorial, not for sacrifice, analogous to that set up by the eastern tribes at the conclusion of the victorious campaign of Joshua (Josh. 22:24-27). That altar was an altar of "witness" (Josh. 22:27), recalling to the mind of the eastern tribes their obligation to pass over the river and present their offerings at the appropriate centre (Josh. 22:27).

The only altar for sacrifice to be set up in the Age to Come will be that to be erected in Jerusalem: the altar in Egypt will remind the people of their duty in that regard.

What of the pillar? That is to be erected at the "border" of Egypt (v. 19). Jacob set up a pillar at Bethel (Gen. 28:18) to commemorate the special manifestation of God that had been revealed unto him; and his action was confirmed by Yahweh Himself (Gen. 3 1:13).

In Egypt, this pillar, or obelisk, will be set up at the border of the land, to recall the intervention of Christ the Saviour in overthrowing the remnants of Gog's forces there:

"It shall be for a sign (the Septuagint adds: "for the age") and for a witness unto Yahweh of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto Yahweh because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them."

Here is amazing justice. When Egypt oppressed Israel and the people cried unto Yahweh, He sent them a saviour in Moses: now, in the Age to come, the process will be reversed: Egypt will be oppressed, will cry, and will be saved.

Hebraists state that the verb will permit the verse to be given in the future tense: "When they shall cry" (see Concordant Version). Having been delivered of Gog, Egypt will join in submissive covenant with Christ, and the altar and pillar will be set up both to memorialise the past victory, and as a token of future deliverance (cp. Zech. 14:18).

"He shall send them a saviour, and a great one." In its primary significance, this refers to Christ, but the term is also used of the saints (Obad. 21), one of whom will be set up as general ruler over Egypt with others under him (Luke 19:17-18). He will be appointed as the Rab, "the great one," translated "captain" (2 Kings 25:8), and "officer" (Est. 1:8) having others under him. This will form the government of Egypt in the Age to come. As Psalm 22 declares:

"All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto Yahweh; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee (Christ). For the kingdom is Yahweh's and he is the governor among the nations" (Ps. 22:27-28).

(4) The Conversion of Egypt (vv.21-22)

Ultimately, when the Kingdom is fully established, and the Temple is built in Jerusalem, representatives of Egypt will follow the throng of worshippers from aII nations that will "go up from year to year to worship at Jerusalem" (Zech. 14:16). In doing so, the nation will fulfil its vow to Christ. Thus:

"And Yahweh shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it; and they shall return (Heb. shuwb - "turn" not necessarily "return") to Yahweh, and He shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them."

The great disease of Egypt is leprosy, the symbol of sin. Yahweh, as the great Physician, is alone capable of healing this. He shall do so for Egypt when the people humble themselves before him. He will "rebuke the beast of the reeds" (Ps. 68:30 - mg.) so that it will be brought into submission to Him, and accept His terms of redemption.

(5) Egypt Forms Part of A United World (v.23).

In figurative language the prophet describes how that a "highway" shall be made to unite Egypt with Assyria. References to the highway are found in Isa. 62:10; 11:16, and there refer to the "way of righteousness" to be established by Christ.

In the days of Isaiah, the world was divided between Assyria and Egypt, and they were mutually hostile one to the other. Therefore, in miniature, these two nations represented the whole world.

They will do so also in the time of Christ's return, for the world will again be divided into two mutually hostile groups that Christ will discipline, convert and heal. We have the healing of Egypt, or the south, here; and the healing of Assyria, or the north, outlined in Micah 5:5-8.

The Truth, as the highway of righteousness providing free access into all territories, will be the unifying factor of the Millenium.

(6) Egypt Submits To Israel As The First Dominion (vv.24-25)

Recognition of the status of Israel will be one of the conditions that Christ will lay down before the nations (see Ezek. 39:23). Therefore, in this prophecy, it is represented as the "third" between Egypt and Assyria. Not third in rank, however, but the intermediary through which the blessings of the Kingdom shall come, and the world will be united under Christ. "As thou has been a curse, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing," is the promise of Yahweh through Zechariah (Zech. 8:20-23. See also John 4:22). Thus will Israel become a "blessing in the midst of the land," and with the Temple set up at Zion, the channel through which all nations will be brought to Christ, and to live in peaceful harmony with each other.

In the final blessing which Isaiah declares will be pronounced on the latter-day Assyria, and Egypt, there are found expressions previously reserved for Israel: "Blessed be Egypt My people" (speaking of conversion), and "Assyria the work of My hands" (speaking of a transformed people). To Israel alone, however, is reserved the statement: "Israel Mine inheritance," for in the Age to come, Yahweh manifested through Christ and the saints, will take up His dwelling there (Zech. 2:12).

Summary

Thus Christ will first move against the remnant of Gog's forces left in Egypt, and after securing its acceptance of his demands, will leave an occupying force of his own in that land, as he moves north against Gog's forces assembled at Jerusalem. The subsequent education and transformation of the people and nation will take some considerable time after Armageddon, but sufficient will have been accomplished to permit the Jews of the dispersion, in the western countries, to return to Egypt preparatory to entering the Land. Egypt will have been prepared to receive them, and Christ's next move, in his work of conquest, will be to move north against Gog in possession of Jerusalem. This will be considered in our next Prophetic Supplement, God willing.- HPM, 1970

 

 

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