Bible Discussion Thread

This chapter discusses the humbling of Egypt but also puts hope into the future restoration of the Southern Kingdom with Assyria (mainly located to the north) which encompasses much of northern Iraq today. There can only be true peace with an individual and a nation when repentance occurs and the true God is worshipped. Such will be the case when they are ruled by a fierce king (verse 4). It appears that God will send a man of God to save Egypt after they call for help (verse 20). I believe that Heliopolis is the name of the "city of destruction" listed in verse 18. In any case; a true bond between the nations occurs after the Lord returns; when a highway between Assyria and Egypt occurs. Egypt is God's people and Assyria the work of God's hands. Only Israel is God's inheritance; his unique nation of which we are grafted into. Exodus 19:5 speaks of the status of a "special treasure" provided that His people remain obedient for Israel. As always; God begins His judgments with His own; whether it is judging the church first ( 1 Peter 4:17); or those of the original covenant promises. There will be some; although very few who survive through the whole coming Tribulation who will repopulate the earth; and other verses indicate specifically for Egypt that their survival is determined by obedient appearance before the Lord or there is "no rain" ( Zechariah 14:18). The droughts of the earth or man made blockade of the Nile clearly affect them as seen in verses 4-10; and of course such judgments will be worldwide during the seal and trumpet judgments; as well as those the two Prophets perform through the power of God at that time. It would appear that in some nations; there will be a larger remnant of true believers left than in others-ultimately; that will be largely determined by those who take the Mark of the Beast or refrain from it as to their final fate. The first group will be destroyed at the onset; the rest of the survivors will enter the Millennium.