Revelation Follows The Pattern of the Exodus

The Bible is full of many patterns that show us what will happen in the future.  When I first began to learn to study the Bible through thematic connections, I heard that Exodus is the pattern for Revelation.  I thought that was an interesting idea.  Since I couldn’t find the information published anywhere, I took up the challenge to figure out the details for myself.  As we’ll soon see, the pattern extends well beyond Exodus.

I thought you might like to know what I learned so we’ll do some comparing to see if what prophecy experts teach is in line with what happened during Jesus’ first advent and with what will happen when Jesus returns in the future.  Due to the overall length of this post, I will be as concise as possible.

Here we go:

Moses lived a life of royalty in Egypt and was not a slave.  Jesus left a life of royalty in heaven and was never a slave to sin during His first advent.

Moses left Egypt and lived in Midian with Zipporah’s father.  Jesus left earth to live in heaven with His Father.

God made Himself and His plan known to Moses at the burning bush.  The Father and Jesus had a similar relationship and the Father always made His plan known to Jesus so He could carry out that plan.

Moses showed the Hebrews 2 miraculous signs.

1. Moses’ rod was turned into a snake.  This revealed that God would overpower the Egyptian gods.
2. The other miracle was the leprous hand.  Leprosy [tzara’at = is not true leprosy / Hansen’s disease] was considered to be a result of an inward spiritual condition.  God’s people were unclean (the living, walking dead) and He would make them clean.

Jesus demonstrated His divinity through miraculous signs and taught that people need to be born again and how to be holy.  His final 3 part miracle involved:

1. Becoming our Passover Lamb on Nissan 14th.
2. Being 3 days and nights in the earth during the first part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
3. Rising from the dead to present Himself to the Father on the Feast of Firstfruits.

Pharaoh came against Moses and the Hebrews by taking away their straw and making them continue to fulfill their quotas.  In the future, the beast will come against the saints, persecute them and eventually kill many of them.

Pharaoh’s necromancers competed against the wonders being performed by Moses and Aaron.  Satan imitates the miracles of God.  The beast of the earth (false prophet) will perform miracles to imitate Jesus.

The first 3 plagues fell on everyone in Egypt and Goshen.  The seals and trumpets of Revelation will fall on everyone.  The last 7 plagues fell only on the Egyptians.  The bowl judgments (plagues) of Revelation will fall only on the wicked.

The sealing of Israel took place on Passover.  The sealing of the 144,000 will take place sometime in the future.

The firstborn Egyptians males were killed by the LORD during the 10^th plague.  The last plague is a massive earthquake and 70 – pound hailstones falling on people yet the wicked will not repent.

The Israelites lived through the plagues and were no longer slaves when they left Egypt.  In the future the “dry bones” will live.  This is the first resurrection (Ezekiel 37, 1 Thess. 4:16).

The mixed multitude in Egypt was gathered to go to the Promised Land.  Ezekiel 37 indicates a mixed multitude will be gathered from 4 corners of the earth to return to Jerusalem.

The Hebrews plundered the Egyptians before leaving Egypt.  Israel’s enemies will be plundered in the future (Zephaniah 2:9, Zechariah 2:9, 14:1).

The redeemed that came out of Egypt were followed by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  They eventually camped beside the Red Sea.  Psalm 27:5-6 and Isaiah 26:20-21 indicate Jesus will hide His saints in the day of trouble until His wrath is past.  In Revelation 15:2, the saints of Revelation were seen standing beside sea of glass mingled with fire.

After several days the mixed multitude of Hebrews and foreigners were pursued by Pharaoh’s army.   Moses stretched out his hand over the sea (possibly with the rod in his hand) and the Red Sea opened for the redeemed to cross over.  Pharaoh’s army was killed as they pursued the mixed multitude across the Red Sea.

Jesus, Son of Joseph also delivered us by stretching out his hands over a piece of wood when He died on the cross.  Jesus, Son of David will come on a white horse with many crowns on His head, flaming eyes, and a sharp sword coming out of His mouth to strike the nations with (Rev. 19:11-16).   Jesus, Son of David will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will open creating a valley for the Jews to escape through (Zech. 14:4).  Ten kings of the world and their armies will be killed by the Son of David (Conquering King) but some will escape the Battle of Armageddon (Is. 66:19).  In addition, Zechariah 14:12-15 describes a terrible plague that will come on those who fight against Jerusalem.  Their flesh, eyes, and tongues will dissolve while they stand on their feet.

The Song of Moses and the Song of Praise (Miriam’s Song) was sung.  The Song of Victory and the Song of the Lamb will be sung.

The mixed multitude wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Some were destroyed while others were prepared to enter the Promised Land.  Satan will be in the abyss for 1000 years (Rev. 20:3, 6, 7; Ezek 39, 45-48) while believers will be preparing to enter the final Promised Land (New Heaven and Earth).

The Tabernacle was built in the wilderness and offerings were made.  According to Ezekiel 40-44, the third temple described will be built sometime in the future and offerings will be brought to the Lord during Christ’s millennial reign.

The mixed multitude learned to obey Torah in the wilderness.  Ezekiel 43-46 says we will learn to obey Torah during Christ’s millennial reign.

The second generation who did not join themselves to Baal of Peor finally entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 25).  The Commander of the Lord’s army instructed Joshua concerning the battle plan for Jericho so that the walls would fall down after walking around the city seven times (Joshua 5:13-6:5).  At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, God will destroy Gog and his armies with fire when they come and surround the city of Jerusalem (Rev. 21-22).

Achan trespassed concerning the devoted things at Jericho.  The people were brought according to their tribes, families, household, and finally by individuals.  Achan was found guilty of transgressing the covenant.  Achan and his family and possessions were stoned and burned with fire.  After the Battle of Gog and Magog, the Great White Throne Judgment will take place.  Everyone whose name is not found in the book of life will be thrown in the lake of fire.

So, what do you think of the similarities between the Exodus and Revelation?