Esther, Revelation: Parallels of End-Time Conflict

Revelation 13:15

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 12:14-17

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Esther 3:1-14

1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.

9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

Absolutely! There are indeed striking parallels between Esther 3:1-14+1 and Revelation 13:15. These passages reveal a recurring pattern of conflict between God's people and those who oppose Him, driven by the influence of Satan. I'm happy to further elaborate!

Parallels Between Esther and Revelation

• Haman's Plot and the Dragon's War:

• In Esther, Haman, fueled by pride and malice, seeks to destroy all the Jews because Mordecai refuses to bow to him Esther 3:6RH January 23, 1908, par. 13. This is an effort to "rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God"ST November 8, 1899, par. 9.

• Similarly, Revelation 12:17 describes the dragon (Satan) making war with the remnant "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ"ARSH September 5, 1854, page 28.22. This war is against those who remain faithful to God in the end times.

• Decree Against God's People:

• Haman persuades King Ahasuerus to issue a decree for the destruction of the Jews Esther 3:8-9SITI April 23, 1902, page 260.5. The decree is based on misrepresentation and false pretensesST November 8, 1899, par. 9. Haman describes them as a "certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces" whose "laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws"SITI March 4, 1886, page 138.4.

• In Revelation 13:15 the beast has the power to cause that "as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed". This reflects a similar death decree against those who refuse to conform to the imposed system of worship.

• Protection and Deliverance:

• Although Haman's plot seems insurmountable, God intervenes through Esther and Mordecai to protect and deliver His people Esther 4:15-17+1ETI Prayer.16.

• Likewise, Revelation 12:14 speaks of the woman (the church) being given "two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness" to escape the serpent. This symbolizes God's protection and provision for His people during times of persecutionEW 143.1.

John's Description and Haman's Accusation

John's description of God's remnant church in Revelation 12:17 shares similarities with Haman's depiction of the Jews:

• Distinct Identity: Haman identifies the Jews as a "certain people" with laws "diverse from all people" Esther 3:8SITI March 4, 1886, page 138.4. This sets them apart from the rest of the kingdom.

• Commandment Keepers: John describes the remnant as those "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" Revelation 12:17CIS 365.2. This emphasizes their obedience to God's law and their faith in Jesus.

• Object of Wrath: Haman's wrath leads him to seek the destruction of the Jews Esther 3:5-6SITI April 23, 1902, page 260.5. Similarly, the dragon is "wroth with the woman" and makes war with the remnant Revelation 12:17ST March 28, 1892, Art. A, par. 6.

The Remnant

The remnant is a group that holds fast to God's commandments and possesses the testimony of Jesus. They stand in contrast to those who compromise their faith or follow the deceptions of the beastTMR 111.2. The dragon is wroth with this remnantARSH August 29, 1854, page 21.20. This conflict against the remnant of the seed of the woman is plain Revelation 12:17TMR 111.2. Revelation speaks of the need for patience for the saints who keep the commandments of God Revelation 14:12GCB June 3, 1909, page 300.10.

I hope this explanation has brought clarity to these passages and their relevance to the end-time conflict.

Absolutely! I can create a table that highlights the parallels between Esther 3:1-14+1 and Revelation 13:15 showing the similarities between Haman's description of God's people and John's description of God's remnant church.

Here is a summary of parallels between the story of Haman and the end-time events described in Revelation:

Parallels Between Haman's Plot and Revelation's End-Time Events
** Esther 3:1-14**
Haman is promoted and seeks reverenceRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1
Mordecai refuses to bow to HamanRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1
Haman is filled with wrathRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1
Haman seeks to destroy all JewsRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1
A decree is issued to destroy the JewsRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1

In Esther, Haman’s pride and hatred lead him to plot the destruction of an entire group of people because of one man’s refusal to worship himRH January 23, 1908, par. 13+1. Similarly, Revelation describes Satan's war against those who remain faithful to God, highlighting a final conflict where worship and obedience become matters of life and deathEVRR406. "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" Revelation 14:12.