A NEW PHARAOH IS COMING

Matthew 24:24 For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. As time and again Pharaoh hardened his heart against Hashem, the worried Israelite must have wondered how come he could not see the light, change, and repent. They did not fully realize that through this event, He who created the universe was making His grand entrance on the scene of World History. Until today Hashem is marveled at through the remembrance of these events. The narrative of a king or nation standing against Israel trying to destroy it was going to be repeated several times in History. It is even very possible that today we are getting ready for another Jewish persecution, albeit in another form. Egypt therefore needed to be Hashem's power show-case for His children of all generations to remember and use as a precedent. I am reminded of Herod Antipas who lived a double life. While in Jerusalem he acted as an observant Jew in order to please Israel, but when he was in his palace of Caesarea he would live a totally ungodly Roman lifestyle. Only the believers, the true followers of God from the Nazarene Sect, the disciples of Yeshua were not fooled and could see for the hypocrite he was. So to top it all, Herod Antipas initiated a persecution against the followers of Yeshua. In the end, He is recorded as having been eaten by worms for not giving glory to God (Acts 12). Such is the fate of the hypocrite who pretends to be godly in order to attract people to himself while he is actually a fake and a farce. He is soon revealed as he does not give glory to God but takes it to himself. As the world gets darker and darker many nations, even those who profess to believe in the God Yeshua worshiped, are becoming spiritually darker and darker. These nations will give rise to the one who, while professing and promising messianic expectancy of peace and plenty, will be in direct challenge and opposition to God, changing times and seasons and taking glory to himself (Daniel 7:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). In those days only those who know Hashem will know the difference (Daniel 11:32). For this reason, this Pharaoh-like/Herod Antipas-like king will also try to exterminate them. Like Pharaoh who thought he was God and could challenge Him; like Herod Antipas who thought he could deceive the people and who did not give glory to God but took it for himself (Acts 12:23); one will soon rise to deceive the people. Many will be deceived in those days (Matthew 24:5, 11, 24), but not those who know Hashem (Daniel 11:32), not the true followers of God, those from the Nazarene sect, the disciples of Yeshua. As our brothers of old saw through Herod Antipas, we will recognize this anti-Messiah (counterfeit-Messiah) for who he is, as he will not give glory to God but take it to himself. May we in those days remember the mighty victory of the God Hosts against Egypt.