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This is a short study.
Have you ever wondered why there is an Antichrist? Why does the Lord allow such a corrupter to come on the scene when he does such evil? The Antichrist opposes God, why would the Lord, יהוה allow such an impostor to glorify himself? Why permit such a snake to persecute and even kill God’s children? There are of course many answers to this, but in this week’s parsha, Va’era, וארא, we will look at one of the main reasons because the exodus from Egypt was but a dress rehearsal for the final, 2nd exodus, which is symbolised by the woman fleeing the dragon in the book of Revelation chapter 12. Pharaoh was a type of Antichrist who exalted himself and opposed God and His people Israel.
We are living in the end times and the Antichrist is not far from coming onto the world scene, even as our world lurches into the birthpangs of earthquakes, natural disasters, pestilence, famine and the wars & rumours of wars spoken of in Matthew 24. The four horsemen and the 5th seal martyrs in Revelation 6 is also this same time period. The Antichrist will rise up during the turmoil of war, Daniel 11. The Antichrist will appear as the saviour of mankind and provide his father Satan’s final solution for humanities problems. A whore church, unrepentant Jews and unbelieving gentiles will receive him. Muslims will love him and all the ‘children of pride‘ shall listen to him and the Beast System will be ushered in. At this time Satan comes to earth and goes after the Lord’s people. There will be the 5th seal martyrs. The Lord is using these birthpangs to wake up many and separate the wheat from the tares. After a period of suffering and martyrdom the 2nd exodus commences. This is why Zion, (Isaiah 66:8, Revelation 12:1) is in pain. There is a lot of persecution, death and martyrdom occurring. Sadly for many, this is the only way to wake up. And so this is actually a mercy because Zion, which is the church, finally becomes the spotless bride that Yeshua is looking for. She begins to shine, Isaiah 60:1.
Meanwhile as Zion is truly being switched on and walking in holiness, the Antichrist is having a field day destroying many and magnifying himself and consolidating his world wide dominion. And it is then, when he proclaims himself as god, that the Lord begins to turn the tables on him. In fact the purpose of the Antichrist is for the Lord Yeshua to demonstrate two major attributes of God, attributes that have been largely hidden from view until now. The Lord demonstrates his power and His Vengeance. Yes the Lord will show His wrath and indignation to His enemies. The world will shake and tremble when the Lord returns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
In this week’s parsha we read why the Lord raised up the Pharaoh that oppressed Israel. Even though Pharaoh refused to let Israel leave until the 10th plague, the Lord, יהוה, was the one that hardened his heart because the Lord wanted to demonstrate his power to an unbelieving world and an idolatrous, stiff necked generation of his people. We read in chapter 9 of exodus the following…
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Exodus 9:16-17
17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
God wanted people to understand who is really in control in this world. He wanted to humble the pride of the mighty and idolatrous Egyptian empire. Pharaoh’s hard heart, pride and self exaltation would be used by our Lord to demonstrate our God’s mastery over evil dictators that push His people Israel around.
Now we see this characteristic today in world leaders exalting themselves over God and His truth. The kings are rising up in the end time fulfilment of the Psalm 2 rebellion. The Lord laughs at them. He will make a mockery of their evil plans. Yes they will persecute and kill many, but then they too will perish and the Lord will raise back to life his fallen soldiers of faith, hope and love.
Nevertheless the wicked leaders of our world are preparing the way for the leader of sin and rebellion. With cold hearts and steely determination they are making the way for the ‘man of sin‘ who shall ‘exalt himself‘ against God at the climax of the ages, before Yeshua’s return.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
Pharaoh was just the shadow, the Antichrist, the ‘man of sin‘, is the final end times culmination of all that we are reading in this week’s parsha.
We have that saying, “every dog has his day”, well there are no exceptions when it comes to the time when the Lord settles His scores. Judgement begins in God’s house and during that time the Antichrist pretty much had it his way. But once Zion is walking in holiness and makes her escape, the Lord brings forth the terrible swift sword. So just like Pharaoh was later drowned in the red sea, so too shall the Antichrist meet his end. In fact the Lord will deal with him personally. He will destroy him at His glorious return as we read on in 2nd Thessalonians.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
II Thessalonians 2:8
In the previous parsha, Shemot, we were told that the Lord promised to slay the firstborn of Egypt which includes Pharaoh’s own son.
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exodus 4:22-23
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
In these end times, the Lord is going to bring judgement upon His church, the congregation of Israel and then the world, I Peter 4:17 (but He is also going to save his humble remnant). What our God said to Pharaoh also applies to Satan in these last days. The Lord is going to kill Satan’s son, his firstborn, the Antichrist.
We are told that pride comes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18, and that whosoever exalts himself shall be humbled, Proverbs 29:23. Eventually we reap what we sow. The Antichrist is no exception. Just like Pharaoh of old, the ‘son of perdition‘ will perish.
We have hope, even amidst these ‘perilous times‘. But we need to be walking in the fear of the Lord, something most believers know very little about.
There is going to be a great deal of death shortly, but the resurrection follows soon afterwards. But those written in the book, shall not even see death, they shall be delivered. This time is coming quickly.
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Daniel 12:1-2
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
I wrote about this in the previous parsha, Shemot. See article ‘Parsha – Shemot – 3 Days Journey‘.
What are we to do if we know all this? Shall we hide ourselves in the rocks? Let us save our fear for the Lord our God who is also our Judge. Let us look to His salvation, turn from sin and Satan. Let us turn to the Holy One of Israel, Yeshua our Redeemer and High Priest. He is coming soon and the blood of the wicked shall be upon His garments, Isaiah 63:3, His eyes shall be a flame of fire, Revelation 19:12. Fear Him. Love Him. Worship Him. Obey Him. Let’s use our time wisely to draw near to Him and consecrate our heart in holiness to God. We have a little bit of time, let us use it wisely, let us seek His face, let us draw near to Him while we can.
See links to some of my other parsha commentaries here.
Shalom & Love in Yeshua
Rory
