Sodom and Egypt

[Barraco]

Recent events have led me to consider the possibility that Jerusalem being spiritually called Sodom and Egypt in Revelation 11:8 is in regard to the oppression of the Jews by their neighbors rather than the state of the Jewish people.

Sodom was known for its injustice and abuse, which Hamas demonstrated on October 7th of this year. Egypt was known for opposing the independence of the Israelites in their own land, which Hamas as well as nations in the around Palestine have demonstrated since even before 1948.

What we could be seeing with American and Israel engaging in war in that region over Israel’s sovereignty could be the on-going fulfillment of the Two Witnesses prophesying. 1,260 days could be spiritually associated with the fight for independence during the Maccabean Revolt and not necessarily a literal 3.5 years.

Thoughts?

 

[RandyPNW]

I think Israel can be viewed either positively or negatively. Biblically, Israel is still in a state of hostility towards God and towards Christianity. Therefore, it is depicted, biblically, as the place that crucified its Messiah and Savior, the place that rejected Israel's covenant with God.

Here in Revelation Jerusalem is called "Sodom" and "Egypt," Sodom because it had turned immorally to false religion, turning its back on Christ, and Egypt because historically Israel had turned to rely on false gods or self-dependence instead of relying on the grace of Christ.

Paul said the same thing in Galatians.

Gal 4.24 One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

And Jesus said this:

Matt 23.37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."

None of this means all Israel will fail for all time. At the end of this age, the remnant of faith in Israel will rise and become a beacon to call the nation back to Christ at his 2nd Coming. God said His divorce with Israel was not worth the paper it was written on. God remains faithful even when men are faithless. God will honor His promises to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, who was called 'Israel."