EGYPT IN PROPHECY

by Dr. Hank Lindstrom

     Tragically, Anwar Sadat was assassinated October 6, 1981.  Does this tragic event have any significance in the light of Biblical prophecy?  What does the future hold for Egypt?

     The Old Testament has over 700 references to the land of Egypt.  Of these, there are about 250 prophecies specifically concerning Egypt.  Many of these predictions deal with the present day situation.  God's Word has the answers as to what is going to happen in the future.  God has said that He, "Declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done (Isaiah 46:10)."  Why does God reveal the future to us?  One of the reasons is to validate the Word of God.  God says, "Before it came to pass I showed it thee."  "Because I knew that thou are obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass (Isaiah 48:4-5)."

     The world powers today are all falling in line with the Biblical prophecies.  Four basic power blocks are mentioned in God's Word that will be involved in Armageddon.  The world will come to war over the Middle East.  Russia and her allies (Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, Turkey) are to invade the Middle East in the latter days.  (These nations are mentioned by name in Ezekiel 38).  China with her allies will move 200 million soldiers into the Middle East.  Ten nations out of the West will be headed up by the Antichrist.  The fourth power that is mentioned called the "King of the South" is Egypt.

     According to Daniel 11:40, Egypt will lead an invasion against the State of Israel during the tribulation (after the rapture).  Most likely, this invasion will occur in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period.  Egypt, "the King of the South", will lead most of the Arab nations in the attack.  The Antichrist and his forces will defeat Egypt and these countries.  "He (Antichrist-leader of Western nations) shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape (Daniel 11:42)."  This will happen to Egypt in response to Egypt's invasion (vs. 40).  The Antichrist will be ready to invade Libya and Ethiopia which are allied with Russia, but the threat of war with Russia (King of the North) and China (King of the East) will prevent this.  Read these Scriptures:

     "But he (Antichrist) shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his (Antichrist's) steps.  But tidings out of the East (China) and out of the North (Russia) trouble him (Antichrist)�(Daniel 11:43, 44)."  Daniel 11:45 tells us that at this time the Antichrist will establish his rule and put his palace in Jerusalem.  "And he (Antichrist) shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas (Mediterranean and Dead Seas) in the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem)."  So we learn from this passage of Scripture that the Antichrist (the leader of the ten Western nations) will rule over Jerusalem and rule over a conquered Egypt.

     This matches up exactly with a prophecy given by the prophet Isaiah warning of a powerful dictator who will invade Egypt and take over.  "And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel Lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them (Isaiah 19:4)."  This is a reference to the Antichrist.

     Egypt will, therefore, become a leader of Arab nations against Israel.  The policies of Anwar Sadat and the Camp David peace accord will fail, perhaps in the very near future.  Although the assassination of Sadat was a terrible tragedy, Egypt will now change course to fit these Scriptural predictions.  This could happen soon.

     Egypt is to become a desolation!  The prophet Ezekiel tells us in Ezekiel 29:10-12.  "Behold, therefore, I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.  No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited 40 years.  And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse, them through the countries."  This is a vivid description of Egypt being made desolate, perhaps, by an atomic explosion.  No form of life will be able to exist in the land.  According to scientists, a nuclear holocaust could render an area uninhabitable for forty years.  Evidently, Egypt will be radioactive for forty years and not even a dog will be able to walk across Egypt.

     These predictions will be fulfilled at the end of the seven-year tribulation, seven years after the rapture, when Russia, China, and the Western Nations engage in a nuclear holocaust called Armageddon.  One third of all the people on the planet earth will be wiped out.  Certainly we can see the possibility of these events happening in the near future!

     Eighty-three (5/6's) percent of the Soviet Union (Russia) will be destroyed according to the prophet Ezekiel.  Most of the major cities of Europe and the West will be eliminated.  The whole of the mid-east will be devastated.

     Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will be raptured out (I Thessalonians 4;16-18) and, therefore, escape the tribulation and the battle of Armageddon.  Praise the Lord!  These are days of great opportunity to witness.  Soon, our opportunities will be over, when we are with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let's use each day the Lord gives to us to the fullest!