Scripture Reading : Isaiah 19
Theme : Judgement and Salvation for Egypt
Destruction of the Land (1-15). God prophesies that in the end times, Egypt will be attacked and ruled by the antichrist, a hard master (v. 4). This agrees with Daniel 11:42. The antichrist will subdue three kingdoms, one being Egypt, before all the ten kings will give their authority to the antichrist (Daniel 7:24, Rev. 17:12-13). In the end times, the waters of the sea and the rivers will dry up. There will be desolation. This agrees with Revelation 8:10 and other judgements.
Salvation of the Land (16-25). In the end times, there will be some cities in Egypt that will believe in God. Interestingly, Egypt currently has a large population of Coptic Christians, about 9-15 million, or 5%-10% of the population. This prophecy could be about them. In any case, God will strike the nation but then heal it. And stunningly, Egypt will be part of God’s people like the Jews.
Praying the Scripture
- As we read about all the pronouncement of judgment and salvation on Israel’s surrounding nations, we need to be reminded that the end times is near. Especially with all the events in Middle East. Israel may be the strongest military in the world with the help of USA, but there will be a time when Israel will not be able to rely on itself or the West, especially if there will a major economic collapse in the West as many prominent economists and investors are forecasting. We do not know whether an economic collapse will happen or not; or how soon, but we know Jesus is coming back soon because of all the events in the Middle East, especially with the rise of radical Islam that seeks to revive an Islamic Caliphate. It will be glorious when Jesus bursts forth from the sky and forever restore this world. May you prepare for it by focusing on your eternal relationship with God, other believers and evangelizing unbelievers whom you seek to have an eternal relationship.
经文：以赛亚书19
主题：予埃及的审判和救赎
埃及地的毁灭（1-15）。神预言在末日时，埃及将受到残忍主（4节），即敌基督者，的攻击和统治。这与但以理书11:42一致。敌基督的将征服三个国度，其中一个是埃及；之后，十王将一并把手中的权柄交托给敌基督的（但7:24；启17:12-13）。到那日，海水与河水必干涸。全地会变得荒凉。这又与启示录8:10及其他的审判的记载吻合。
埃及地的拯救（16-25）。末日时，埃及的某些城市会转而相信神。有趣的是，埃及至今有一整群科普特基督徒，约九百至一千五百万人，或总人口的5%-10%。这个预言或许与他们有关。无论如何，神会击倒埃及，然后使她复兴。而惊奇的是，埃及将会是神子民的一部分，如同犹太人一样。
用经文祷告
- 当我们读到有关以色列邻国之审判与救赎的宣告时，我们必须警醒，晓得末日已近，尤其今日，中东非常不安，事件频频发生。以色列在美国的帮助下或许是世上军备最强大的，但有朝一日，以色列必无法依靠自己或西方国家了，尤其当西方面临巨大的经济衰败，如今日著名的经济学家和投资家都预测的。我们不晓得那是否会发生，或者何时会发生，但我们因着中东的一系列事件知道耶稣即将归来，尤其随着极端伊斯兰教的崛起，试图复兴伊斯兰哈里发国。当耶稣从天空突然出现，永远复兴这个世界，那将何等荣耀啊！愿你能为此做好准备，专注于你与神及其他信徒的永恒关系，并寻求向非信徒传福音，渴望与他们能建立这样的关系。
