The Book of Esther and the End Times

The story in the book of Esther in the Old Testament is
set approximately in 480 BC. King Ahasuerus reigns a
kingdom that stretches from India in the east all the way to
Ethiopia. He reigns from "Susa, the citadel" in Persia, almost
the equivalent of today's Iran.

In the Kingdom of Ahasuerus lives many different people,
and among these many Jews, scattered at the time of the
Babylonian captivity. Even in Susa there is a Jewish colony.
Ahasuerus, reigns as King of Kings and his word is law. 

The story of Esther is a piece of Jewish history, which is
remembered by jews every year, at the Purim feast. But
the book of Esther is also largely prophetic, with an
important message right into the very end times that we are
facing today. And the message concerns the Christians
responsibility for the Jewish people and for Israel.


Queen Vasti had for some time showed contempt for King
Ahasuerus. At last the King deposes her and start looking for a
new Queen. Ester is one of the chosen maidens who go before
the King. She is Jewish, and raised by Mordecai, her stepfather.
The King is very fond of Esther, she becomes bride and the new
Queen. Her Jewish identity remains secret.

 

The King's new servant Haman becomes angry at Mordecai
because Mordecai does not bow to him in the gate, and Haman
is told that Mordecai is a Jew. A hate is growing within Haman,
he conspires against all Jews in the Kingdom. He goes before
Ahasuerus, and tells of a people who do not obey the King's
laws. Haman receives the King's authority to do whatever he
finds for good with the Jews.

 

 

Mordecai gets knowledge about the threat against his
people, in despair he sends a messenger to Esther; She has to
go before the King, and seek mercy for their people. Esther
hesitates, it is associated with death threat to go before the
King without being called. Mordecai then send a new urgent
message to Esther:

 

“Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will
escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep
silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the
Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house
will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to
the kingdom for such a time as this?”(Esther 4:13-14)

 

Esther is challenged. Her people are in danger, even Mordecai,
who has been her "educator" into the grace she now stands in.
Ester is in a unique position to be able to plead for the Jews
before the King. Will she evade responsibility, out of fear - or
convenience, deny her origin? What will then happen to her -
she is also a jew?

 

After a period of fasting Esther "on the third day" goes before
the King, and she "receives grace". She reveals of her Jewish
ancestry and tell the king about Hamans evil plans against her
people. The King becomes angry. Haman, who accused Mordecai
for not keeping the law, are hung up on the stake he prepared
for Mordecai. Mordecai, who only refused to bow to Haman,
is freed.

 

 

The Book of Esther is a burning message in a very late
time. Over Jews in the diaspora rests threatening clouds. The
state of Israel is attacked from all sides. Evil tongues forge
plans, misinforms, trying to use laws - in the belief that they
can prevent the ways of God.

 

The Christian church, the King's bride, is called to affirm its
origins, and to stand up for the people of Israel and the land
of Israel and to plead before the King. So Esther actually
saved her life.

/Björn Hellman