The Prophetic Interpretation of Esther

Esther 1‑8  •  17 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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Ahasuerus—A Type of God
When God removed the seat of His government in the earth from Israel (1 Chron. 29:2323Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. (1 Chronicles 29:23)), He gave it into the hands of the Gentiles (Dan. 2:31-45; 5:18-1931Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. (Daniel 2:31‑45)
18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: 19And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. (Daniel 5:18‑19)). This period of Gentile authority is called “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:2424And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)). Thereafter, the succession of Gentile monarchs who ruled during that period were indirectly an extension of God's authority in the earth. In the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus ruled in that place of authority over the known world of his time—“from India even unto Ethiopia” (chap. 1:1). Hence, he is a type of God who rules over the whole world from behind the scenes (Dan. 4:1717This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)).
Ahasuerus’ Feast—A Type of the Gospel of God’s Grace
(Chapter 1)
The first chapter of Esther tells us that King Ahasuerus made a feast “unto all,” both “great and small” (chap. 1:1-5). This is a picture of the great feast that God has made for all mankind in the gospel of His grace (Luke 14:1616Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (Luke 14:16)). The purpose of Ahasuerus' feast was to show “the riches of His glorious kingdom” and “the honour of his excellent majesty.” The gospel, too, tells forth the glory of God and “the riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7-87That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:7‑8)). Just as Ahasuerus' feast carried on for “many days,” God in His longsuffering love and grace has extended the invitation to His feast for many days—nearly two thousand years! The guests who accepted the invitation of King Ahasuerus and came to his feast were called “nobles and princes.” Likewise, those who accept, by faith, God's invitation to His gospel feast, are similarly made “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:66And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)).
At the feast, the king provided “beds [couches] of gold and silver” for the guests to rest on (chap. 1:6-8). Silver and gold in Scripture are symbols of redemption and divine righteousness. These things give the believer a place to rest for salvation, and as a result, he has peace with God and rest in his soul (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28); Rom. 5:1; 8:61Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)
6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)). There were also beautiful colored “hangings” at the feast for the guests to behold and enjoy. They were suspended from above by “silver rings,” and are a type of the Christian's heavenly blessings that are theirs through redemption (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)). Moreover, the king provided the guests with His “royal wine in abundance.” This speaks of the joy that God gives to those who receive and believe the gospel of His grace (Judg. 9:1313And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? (Judges 9:13); Psa. 104:1515And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. (Psalm 104:15)).
Vashti—A Type of the Professing Church
The Gentile queen, “Vashti,” who had a very privileged place in the kingdom—being associated with the king publicly—was also invited to the feast. Her part was to contribute to the glory of the king by showing the people her beauty. But when she was called, she “refused” to come because her heart was lifted up in pride and rebellion. She liked the place she had of being publicly associated with the king, but she had no use for his feast. Vashti is a type of the professing Church which has been outwardly identified with God before the world, but without real faith in Christ. Apostate Christendom has had the greatest opportunity to receive the salvation and blessing offered in the gospel, but like Vashti, it has had no use for it (Rev. 3:1717Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)).
Vashti Removed—A Type of the Judgment of the False Church
On the final day of the feast (chap. 1:5, 10) Vashti's rebellion came to a head, and because of her disobedience and refusal to come to the feast, she was dismissed from her place as queen (chap. 1:13-22). This foreshadows what will happen to apostate, professing Christendom at the end of the day of grace. The rebellion and disobedience of Christendom has risen to a height where God will no longer tolerate it. When the Rapture takes place, the Lord will also publicly disown apostate, professing Christendom by leaving all who are mere professors behind. He will “spue” it out of His mouth (Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)). Christendom, like Vashti, will be “cut off” and set aside in God's dealings (Rom. 11:17-2217And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:17‑22)). As Vashti experienced “the wrath of king Ahasuerus” (chap. 2:1), so will apostate Christendom be judged by God at that time—and this on account of its failure to glorify God on earth.
Esther—A Type of the Jewish Remnant
(Chapter 2)
The exercise in chapter two is that one might be brought in to replace Vashti. In the process of finding someone to take that place, “Esther” comes into view (chap. 2:1-7). She is a type of the godly Jewish remnant. Romans 11 indicates that when (Gentile) Christendom will be disowned and set aside for its unfaithfulness, God will take up with Israel again and bring a remnant of that nation into blessing.
Being an orphan, Esther had no support in the world, and this aptly describes the destitute character of the godly remnant of Jews in the Great Tribulation to come. They will be totally shut up to God.
Mordecai—A Type of Christ
Though an orphan, Esther was taken up and cared for by “Mordecai” her cousin. He is a type of Christ who will providentially care for the Jewish remnant.
During the period of Esther’s purification, Mordecai took great interest in her welfare. Although he could not openly communicate with her, for her time of purification was not yet complete, he passed by the place where she was each day to inquire of how she did. In the same way during the Great Tribulation, Christ will not communicate directly with the Jewish remnant, but will observe their progress with intense interest. He will do it from a distance, so to speak (Isa. 8:17; 18:4; 54:817And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. (Isaiah 8:17)
4For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. (Isaiah 18:4)
8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:8); Song of {s 22221}Solomon 5:66I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. (Song of Solomon 5:6); Gen. 42:7, 23-24; 43:307And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. (Genesis 42:7)
23And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. 24And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. (Genesis 42:23‑24)
30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (Genesis 43:30)). He will continue to do this until the work of repentance and purification is complete in the remnant, at which time He will reveal Himself to them (Gen. 452And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. (Genesis 46:2)).
The incident at the end of the second chapter, of Mordecai looking out for the welfare of the king (when “Bigthan and Teresh” attempted insurrection), illustrates how Christ has the utmost care for the glory of God, and will work behind the scenes to maintain it (chap. 2:21-23).
Hegai—A Type of the Holy Spirit
Esther was committed into the hands of "Hegai" who was to prepare her to meet the king (chap. 2:8, 15). He is a type of the Spirit of God who will work with the Jewish remnant of believers during the Tribulation period (Isa. 40:13; 48:1613Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? (Isaiah 40:13)
16Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. (Isaiah 48:16)). The Spirit will exercise the believing Jews concerning the nation's rejection of Christ many years ago and will produce a work of repentance in them. (See the Penitential Psalms – Psa. 2516Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. (Psalm 25:16); 32; 38; 41; 51.)
Haman—A Type of the Antichrist
(Chapter 3)
In chapter 3 we see King Ahasuerus promoting “Haman” the Agagite in the kingdom and giving him a seat above all the princes. Haman who was “the Jews' enemy” is a type of Antichrist. His promotion in the kingdom foreshadows the time when God will allow Antichrist to rise to a place of prominence and power in the earth—particularly in the land of Israel. Haman used his place of power for his own exaltation and required that all should bow to him in reverence. Antichrist, “the man of sin,” will do the same by demanding that he should be worshipped (2 Thess. 2:3-43Let 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; 4Who 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, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3‑4)).
Haman’s Plot to Rid the Empire of Jews—A Type of the Great Tribulation
Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and this drew out Haman's hatred for him (chap. 3:2). Similarly, the Antichrist will not regard God and will attempt to obliterate the name of Christ from the earth.
Haman also went about to “destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom” (chap. 3:5-15). This foreshadows the terrible persecution that the Antichrist will cause during the Great Tribulation in his attempt to exterminate God-fearing Jews—the remnant. Haman had ten sons that apparently helped him in his cause (chap. 5:11, 14; 9:7-10). They, perhaps, may be a type of the ten-nation confederacy in Western Europe called “the Beast,” that will help Antichrist enforce his persecution against the godly remnant. The king gave Haman his signet “ring” authorizing the wicked plan (chap. 3:10). This speaks of God allowing Antichrist to have his way in persecuting the godly remnant for a time. He does this to test their reality and to deepen His work in them.
A Loud and Bitter Cry—A Type of Deep Exercise of the Jewish Remnant
(Chapter 4)
On account of Haman's wicked designs, the lives of the Jews were in great jeopardy. This caused much weeping and wailing in every province (chap. 4:1-3). It is a picture of the sorrow and deep exercise of soul the Jewish remnant will pass through in the Great Tribulation. Mordecai also “put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry.” This illustrates the feelings of Christ. He will feel with deepest sympathy all that the remnant will pass through in the time of their trouble (Isa. 63:99In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)). The book of the Psalms particularly illustrates Christ's sympathetic sufferings with the remnant.
Hatach—A Type of the Maschilim
"Hatach," one of the king's chamberlains who "attended upon" Esther, was closer to Mordecai than she was, and knew his mind in regard to these matters (chap. 4:5-6, 9-10). Mordecai used him to communicate to Esther what she ought to do. He is a type of the Maschilim, the wise and instructed ones among the believing remnant of Jews. Being more intelligent than the rest in regard to the mind of God, they will instruct the others (Dan. 11:3333And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. (Daniel 11:33) – J. N. Darby Translation footnote).
Esther Approaches the King—A Type of the Jewish Remnant Crying Out to God
(Chapter 5)
Understanding her people's awful plight, Esther is told that she must “go in unto the king to make supplication unto him” on their behalf (chap. 4:4-9). But it was something she had not done before and feared to do because no person could draw near into the king's presence on his own without being put to death. It speaks of the fact that a person cannot come to God on his own terms. However, the law was such that if the king should hold out “the golden scepter” to a person, which depicts divine grace, he would live and not die. Grace has enabled man to draw near to God (chap. 4:10-11).
Mordecai, still speaking to Esther from a distance (through “Hatach”), pressed upon her that she must approach the king, even if it meant taking her life into her hand, for it was the only means of deliverance for her people (chap. 4:12-14). Then, after much prayer and fasting, Esther resolved to go to the king (chap. 4:15-17). Likewise, the remnant, after much exercise of soul, will approach God in regard to the great suffering of persecution.
When Esther approached the king after not being in his presence for a long period of time, she obtained favour in his sight, and “the golden scepter” was extended to her (chap. 5:1-2). This points to the fact that God delights in those who approach Him in faith (Prov. 15:88The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8)). In the same way, the broken and afflicted remnant will approach God in prayer and supplication and will obtain grace in the time of their great trial. It is remarkable that it was on “the third day” that Esther approached the king. The number three speaks of resurrection in Scripture (Jonah 1:17; 2:1017Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17)
10And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. (Jonah 2:10); Matt. 12:4040For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40)), and points to Israel's national resurrection (Ezek. 37:1-281The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. 4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 7So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. 9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. 11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. 15The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 16Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 18And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? 19Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 21And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. (Ezekiel 37:1‑28); Dan. 12:1-21And 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. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1‑2)), when God will step in for the godly Jewish remnant, bringing deliverance. Hosea 6:1-21Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (Hosea 6:1‑2) says, “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.”
Having come into the king's presence, Esther did not immediately unburden the depths of her heart to him. Instead, she requested that a banquet be made for the king and Haman, at which time she thought to make known her real request. But when the time came, she deferred to express herself to the king until the following day (chap. 5:3-14). This illustrates how the remnant will at first lack confidence to lay open their heart to God, but at length, on account of expedience, they will do so. (Compare Psalms 25, 32, 38, 41, 51—the Penitential Psalms. Note the progression of their exercise of soul deepening.)
Mordecai Exalted Publicly—A Type of Christ Exalted at His Appearing
(Chapter 6)
On the very night that Haman was planning to kill Mordecai, the King could not sleep. And similarly, “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psa. 121:44Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)). This will be especially so during that time when the Antichrist will be attempting to do away with the Name of Christ from the earth. The night passes with a strange turn of events for the Jews. The king sees fit that it is time to publicly exalt Mordecai and to display him in “royal apparel” with “the crown royal” before all the people! When the day came, the despised man, Mordecai, was ushered through the streets of the city with glory, dignity, and honour for all to see (chap. 6:1-11). This is a picture of the appearing of Christ at His second coming when He will come to the earth with power and glory, and “every eye shall see Him” (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7); 2 Thess. 1:1010When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)).
Haman Hung on His Own Gallows—A Type of the Antichrist Judged
(Chapter 7)
Esther accused Haman of his wickedness and intreated the king for his destruction. She called him, "This wicked Haman" (chap. 7:5). In the Hebrew Scriptures, it is, "Haman the wicked." The numerical value of this appellation according to the Hebrew alphabet is 666! (Compare Revelation 13:1818Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Revelation 13:18)).
The king answered her request and Haman was hung on His own gallows! (chap. 7:1-10) This answers to the time when God will answer the cry of the remnant and judge the Antichrist. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn” (Isa. 54:1717No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)).
We marvel at how precise these types are! Mordecai was exalted and displayed before the people in royal robes (chap. 6), and then Haman was hung (chap. 7). This is the same order in prophecy. Immediately after Christ appears in glory, the Antichrist (called "the false prophet"), with the Beast, will be removed by judgment and cast into the lake of fire (2 Thess. 2:88And 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: (2 Thessalonians 2:8); Rev. 19:11-2011And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:11‑20)).
Esther Confesses Her Relationship to Mordecai—A Type of the Remnant of Jews Owning Christ as Messiah
(Chapter 8)
After Haman was killed, Esther made known to king Ahasuerus her relationship to Mordecai (chap. 8:1). Similarly, after Christ has returned and Antichrist is judged, the godly Jewish remnant will gladly confess that they belong to Him. “O Lord our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us: but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy Name” (Isa. 26:1313O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. (Isaiah 26:13); John 20:2828And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (John 20:28)).
Then, Haman's house (his estate) was given to Esther, and she gladly turned it all over to Mordecai (chap. 8:2). This is a picture of the Jews in that day gladly giving Christ His rightful place and surrendering all that they have to Him. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power” (Psa. 110:33Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. (Psalm 110:3)).
Mordecai Is Given the King’s Ring—A Type of God Giving Christ Authority to Rule in the Kingdom
“The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai” (chap. 8:2). This speaks of God giving Christ that place of rule and authority in the earth that the Antichrist would have had falsely. Compare Isaiah 22:15-2515Thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, 16What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? 17Behold, the Lord will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. 18He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. 19And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down. 20And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. 24And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. 25In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 22:15‑25) and Ezekiel 21:25-2725And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, 26Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:25‑27).
Then, in answer to Esther’s cry, Mordecai (by the king’s authority) delivered the Jews from the awful edict that was upon them. He wrote letters authorizing their deliverance and published it in every province. The Jews were free! (chap. 8:3-14) This foreshadows the deliverance that Christ will affect for the Jewish remnant. This is a picture of the Great Tribulation being over.
Then, “Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple” (chap. 8:15; 9:3-4; 10:3). This is a type of Christ in His official kingdom glory. The Jews, consequently, had “gladness, and joy, and honour,” and this, of course, refers to the joy of the remnant in the day of their deliverance (Isa. 25-26).
Haman's Ten Sons Killed—A Type of the Ten Nation Confederacy of the Beast Judged
(Chapter 9)
At the same time, Mordecai undertook to have "the ten sons of Haman" killed (chap. 9:10, 13-14). They are, perhaps, a type of the ten-nation confederacy of the Beast who will aid the Antichrist in his wicked plot to exterminate the godly Jewish remnant (Rev. 13:1; 17:12-131And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1)
12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Revelation 17:12‑13)). When Christ appears in power and judgment, He will not only cast the personal Beast and the Antichrist into the lake of fire, but He will also destroy the Western confederacy of nations—under the figure of the judgment of (political) Babylon (Rev. 16:15-2115Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Revelation 16:15‑21)).
Many Gentiles Become Jews—A Type of the Gentiles Being Linked to Israel in the Millennium
“The fear of Mordecai” and the Jews came over all, and “many of the people of the land became Jews” (chap. 8:17; 9:3). In the coming Millennium (the 1000-year reign of Christ) “many nations shall be joined to the Lord” (Zech. 2:11; 8:2311And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11)
23Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zechariah 8:23); Isa. 11:10; 14:1-2; 55:610And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
1For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 2And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. (Isaiah 14:1‑2)
6Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6)). “The willing-hearted of the peoples [Gentiles] have gathered together, and are joined unto the people of the God of Abraham” (Psa. 47:99The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:9) – J. N. Darby Trans. footnote).
After this, “the king's commandment and his decree” was that the Jews were to “rule over” their Gentile enemies (chap. 9:1-4). This is a picture of Israel being set in the place of the “head” of all nations, which is God’s original purpose for them (Deut. 28:1313And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (Deuteronomy 28:13); Psa. 18:4343Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. (Psalm 18:43)). The Jews, therefore, also “smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword” (chap. 9:5-19). In that coming day, Israel will exercise judgment on the nations surrounding their land (Psa. 47:33He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. (Psalm 47:3); Psa. 118:10-1210All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. 11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. (Psalm 118:10‑12); Isa. 11:1414But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. (Isaiah 11:14); Jer. 51:20-2320Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; 21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; 22With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; 23I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. (Jeremiah 51:20‑23); Mic. 4:13; 5:5-6, 813Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4:13)
5And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. 6And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. (Micah 5:5‑6)
8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. (Micah 5:8); Zech. 12:66In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:6); Mal. 4:33And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:3)).
Mordecai Holds a Feast—A Type of Millennial Gladness
After this, Mordecai instituted a “feast” (called “Purim”) wherein “the Jews rested” in all the provinces of the kingdom (chap. 9:20-32). They gave gifts to one another and had great gladness, feasting, and joy. This speaks of the millennial rest that will pervade the earth in that day when people will be genuinely happy.
A Tribute Upon the Land—A Type of Israel’s Millennial Wealth
(Chapter 10)