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Let’s ask for God’s help:
Heavenly Father,
Your servants are presented under many identities in Your prophetic Word.
Among them is the King coming from the East. With Your assistance, we will be able to discover who is this King.
We thank You in advance for hearing and answering our prayer.
In Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
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Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates.
And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
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The sixth bowl, which will be the subject of a future lesson, introduces «the kings of the east», whose way is prepared by the drying up of the great river Euphrates.
This symbolism directly refers to an Old Testament story, which will help us discover the identity of the King coming from the east.
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Jeremiah 51:11
Make bright the arrows! Gather the shields! The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of His temple.
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As we have seen in Daniel’s prophecies, the kingdom of Babylon, in 604 B.C., invaded Jerusalem and took its inhabitants prisoners.
About 70 years later, God gave rise to the Medo-Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Persian and Darius the Mede, to bring about the fall of Babylon.
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Isaiah 44:24,27,28
I am the Lord, (...) that said to the deep, «Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers!»: that said of Cyrus, «He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure.»
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Many years before, God had announced, through the prophet Isaiah, the name of the king who would bring about the fall of Babylon: «Cyrus».
He had also foretold how Cyrus would manage to invade Babylon: «Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers!»
In fact, the Medes and Persians diverted the course of the river Euphrates, and then used the dried riverbed to enter and invade the city.
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Isaiah 41:2
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings?
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Isaiah 46:10,11
I will do all My pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes My counsel from a far country.
Yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
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Now, King Cyrus and the Medo-Persian people were living east of Babylon.
This is why God describes Cyrus, who brought about the fall of Babylon, as the one coming from the east.
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Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates.
And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
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The sixth bowl takes up the story of the fall of Babylon into the hands of the kings of the east, that is, Cyrus and Darius leading the Medo-Persian people, to illustrate symbolically the fall of spiritual Babylon.
In our lesson about the sixth bowl, we will study how the fall of spiritual Babylon will actually take place.
For now, let’s try to answer this question: Who are «the kings of the east»?
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Revelation 16:12,15
And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates.
And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (...)
«Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked.»
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The «King from the east», the «Cyrus» who will put an end to the reign of the great spiritual Babylon, is none other than Jesus Christ.
As if to confirm this conclusion, in the heart of the sixth bowl, Jesus Himself announces that His return is imminent, and that we must stand ready.
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Isaiah 46:1O-13
I will do all My pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes My counsel from a far country.
Yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Listen to Me, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry.
And I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory.
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In the prophetic description of the work of King Cyrus, freeing the people of Israel from Babylon’s oppression, we can already recognize the work of Jesus, who will free spiritual Israel from the oppression of spiritual Babylon.
Jesus is the One who will bring righteousness, salvation, and the glory of God.
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Revelation 17:14
[The ten kings] shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings.
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Revelation 19:16
And He has on His clothing and on His thigh a name written, «King of kings, and Lord of lords.»
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The accurate symbolism of Cyrus’ work is not the only feature which identifies Jesus as the «King from the east». The title also designates Him.
First, Jesus is King. Furthermore, He is «King of kings».
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Matthew 2:1,2
Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying,
«Where is He that is born King of the Jews?
For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.»
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In addition to being King, Jesus is closely linked with «the east».
At the time of His birth, the Wise Men recognized Him as the «King of the Jews», but also as the One whose coming to earth was marked by «His star in the east».
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Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
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Furthermore, just as King Cyrus did, Jesus will also come from the east when He returns.
Besides, if we carefully study the Word of God, we can find many passages pointing to this great advent coming from the east, and putting an end to this world.
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Daniel 11:44,45
But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble [the king of the north].
Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.
Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
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For example, a future lesson will present a persecuting power in the last days, the «king of the north», who will be frightened by «tidings out of the east», announcing his destruction.
The «tidings out of the east», in fact, announce the return of Jesus, the King from the east.
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Psalm 48:4-8
For, see, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hurried away. Fear took hold on them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever.
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At the end of times, the nations of the earth will be destroyed by «an east wind».
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Exodus 10:13
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt.
And the Lord brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all that night.
And when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
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Job 38:22-24
Have you seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
By what way is the light parted, which scatters the east wind on the earth?
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The same east wind which brought the plagues upon Egypt will also bring the last plagues, at the end of times.
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Exodus 14:21,22
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea.
And the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground: and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
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In Moses’ time, God saved His people with the east wind, after this wind had brought plagues upon Egypt.
Likewise, at the end of times, God will save His people with this same east wind, after this wind has brought the last plagues on the earth.
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Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
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Isaiah 45:5,6
I girded you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else.
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In some passages pointing to this great advent coming from the east, the Word of God uses the expression «rising of the sun», as a replacement for the word «east».
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Psalm 50:1-5
The Mighty God, even the Lord, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people:
«Gather My saints together to Me, those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.»
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Jesus’ return, «as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west» (Matthew 24:27), is here announced with the words «from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof».
His angels will then «gather His saints together to Him, those that have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice», that is, His expiatory death on the cross.
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Revelation 7:2,3
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God.
And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
«Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.»
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Interestingly, the angel putting the seal of God on the faithful believers’ foreheads will also come «from the east».
This seal will be affixed on God’s people shortly before the return of the King from the east, Jesus Christ, who will come to gather them home.
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Genesis 2:8
The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden.
And there He put the man whom He had formed.
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Genesis 3:24
So He drove out the man.
And He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
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In addition to being linked with the time of the end and Jesus’ return, the east also calls to mind the Garden of Eden and the kingdom of God.
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Exodus 26:26,27 [NKJV]
And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward.
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Just as the entrance to the Garden of Eden was placed eastward, so the entrance to the earthly sanctuary was also placed eastward, that is, the only side which was not closed with five bars of acacia wood.
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The entrance to the earthly sanctuary was placed eastward:
«Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.» (2 Chronicles 31:14)
«And the cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.» (Ezekiel 10:19)
«The Spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of the Lord’s house, which looks eastward.» (Ezekiel 11:1)
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Ezekiel, in his visions, saw the Lord’s house with its gate to the east:
«From under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goes into them from the utter court.» (Ezekiel 42:9)
«When he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east.» (Ezekiel 42:15)
«Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and His voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with His glory. (...) And I fell on my face. And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house.» (Ezekiel 43:1-5)
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Ezekiel 44:1,2
Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looks toward the east; and it was shut.
Then said the Lord to me, «This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered in by it.»
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Revelation 3:7,11
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
«These things said He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens. (...) Behold, I come quickly!»
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The eastern gate also calls to mind the announcement of Jesus’ imminent return.
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Psalm 103:11,12
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
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And finally, by placing the east in opposition to the west, the Word of God calls to mind God’s forgiveness which takes our sins away from us.
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Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates.
And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
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Before closing this lesson, let’s try to understand why the prophecy does not present only one King from the east, but rather many kings.
Who are these kings who will accompany Jesus, the King from the east, when He returns to gather His people?
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Ephesians 4:8 [RSV]
Therefore it is said,
«When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.»
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Isaiah 24:23
The Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.
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In our lesson «The 24 Elders and the Four Beasts», we have seen that, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He took some of His people with Him.
This group makes up the first part of the 24 elders, representing the people of God under the Old Covenant.
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Luke 22:28-30
[Jesus said to His apostles,] «You are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.
And I appoint to you a kingdom, as My Father has appointed to Me; that you may (...) sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.»
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Matthew 19:28
And Jesus said to them, «Truly I say to you, that you which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.»
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The second group of elders is made up of the twelve apostles, judging Israel, and representing the people of God under the New Covenant.
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Revelation 5:8-10
The four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
And they sung a new song, saying,
«You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.»
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By His victory, Jesus made these 24 elders «kings» who will reign on the earth. He will also make all His people kings, at the time of His return.
So these 24 elders are the kings from the east who will accompany Jesus, the King of kings, when He returns.
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Jesus’ salvation makes us kings, and we will reign with God:
«Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.» (Exodus 19:5,6)
«Jesus Christ is the faithful Witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.» (Revelation 1:5,6)
«Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection! On such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.» (Revelation 20:6)
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Let’s pray together:
Our Lord God,
While announcing the coming of the kings from the east, Your Son gives us this message, «Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.» (Revelation 16:15).
Please help us to always follow this valuable advice, so that we may soon join the kings from the east, as kings who will also reign with You and worship You forever.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
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