Similarities Between Exodus and Revelation part 6

You can find Part 5 here.

I’ve been discussing the seal judgments and how these have more parallels with the major and minor prophets rather than with Revelation, but I do want to point out a few things here that may be of interest, before we go into the trumpet judgments.

In the fourth plague of Exodus there’s a strange turn of events. In Exodus 8:22-23 the Lord says to Pharaoh:

“But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be there so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people.”

The Hebrews had not been removed from the land of Egypt but were set on display, to show God clearly making a distinction. In Revelation 12 and 13 we see a the enemy and his vassals making war against the saints. What would have stirred their ire so much if it wasn’t this mark of distinction during the time of great wrath and tribulation? In 1 Corinthians 4:9 Paul talks about how apostles are put on display not only to men but to angels as well.

The sixth seal is so odd and full of myriad disasters it deserves a whole blog post of its own. I may write that one day. But for now, I want to point out something specific: there are a number of people from vastly different socio-economic backgrounds who declare the same thing together: “…hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17)

These are people who have actively opposed God and are publicly acknowledging His work. This means that they’re fully aware of what’s coming, even when they’ve denied it publicly up to this point. Kings, free men, rich, poor, powerful, helpless, mighty or slaves, they all recognize the coming King, and that these judgments are from His hand. Imagine a general hiding in a cave and calling for the rocks to fall on him. He’s quaking. And why? Because there will be a distinction made and the people of God, in plain sight, will be dealt with differently.

And how will we be able to stand? Because we won’t be objects of God’s wrath.

Lately I have seen strong parallels between Romans 8:31-39 and Revelation, particularly the letters to the churches, the fifth seal and select verses in chapters 12 and 13.

Let’s look at the Romans 8 passage:

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’ve heard this passage referred to as the “more than conquerors” passage. And it’s necessary. Don’t dismiss it as a blithely feel-good passage. Wear it like armor. Let it anchor into your heart. This is training for you, for me, for our children. “To the one who overcomes (conquers) I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I have overcome (conquered) and sat down beside My Father…” (Rev. 3:21)

Long ago, when God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, His hand of protection was upon them. In the last days, God’s devotion to and love for us will be displayed through us while we rise as more than conquerors.

Although you may not be facing severe and violent persecution right now, there are some brothers and sisters in Christ who are. Pakistan, North Korea, Syria and Egypt are some locations where men, women and children of faith are slaughtered simply because of their belief in the One True God. If this post triggered thoughts of persecution happening in the world today, please take some time with me to pray for those facing these kinds of trials.

Father, I thank you that You sent Your Son to redeem me! I thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to live through me. I ask that you would infuse my brothers and sisters around the world with grace and courage during their hour of trial. I ask that you would surround them with Your protection. And I ask, Lord, that when the days come that I’m called to endure such trials, that I, too, would have grace and courage in the midst of it. I lay these requests at the feet of Your throne of Grace, through the name of Jesus! Amen!

God bless you!