by Jon R. Welker

“Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?” Exodus 10:7

The above Scripture is what I and many sincere Christians long to hear proclaimed by those who serve this modern system of Egypt which enslaves mankind to the carnality of its "fleshpots" and the materialism which has become so "obscene."

As I write this Chat, the members of Shepherdsfield are preparing to observe the Nisan Festivals Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits (along with "Resurrection Morning," better known as "Easter"). Each year an invitation is extended to the surrounding community to observe the Passover with us which in previous years has been well attended and much appreciated, judging by the many positive and even effusive comments shared with me and others. So, in keeping with the season, in this Chat I've chosen to share a brief review of the "10 Plagues" which the Lord brought upon Egypt by the hands of Moses and Aaron.

Those "plagues of Egypt" in the days of Moses and Aaron depicted, in miniature, the distress and sorrows now beginning to be experienced by more and more people in the world arena. Yet, the intensity of these "plagues" shall mount in the near future. And, just as depicted in the ancient drama, at their climax, "Israel" shall be delivered from their bondage to "Pharaoh" (which depicts Lucifer the prince in charge of our world). Soon the Lord will release a multitude of His devoted ones from bondage to Lucifer, by miraculously taking them out of this world, transforming and transporting them into "the Promised Land" (Heaven)!

Israel's ancient Passover on the 14^th of Nisan, followed by their IMMEDIATE deliverance, pointed to the future event on Calvary's Cross which opened the era of God's GRACE for us. Jesus means "Yahweh Savior or Deliverer." Therefore we see that all who "believe in His name" shall be "delivered." But we also see the pattern of the people's REFUSAL to obey the Lord and believe the report concerning the land promised the patriarchal fathers. As a result, they commenced their long, death-dealing journey in the wilderness until all the rebels were dead. THEN on Nisan 10 (5 days earlier in the month than when they left Egypt), their children (by then 40 to 60 years of age) crossed over the Jordan on dry ground into the Promised Land of Canaan.

After Israel was in the Promised Land, they were to cut off enough FIRSTripe grain to make up a "sheaf" on the 10^th day of the 1^st month (Nisan), which was to be WAVED before the Lord by the Priest on the 16^th day of Nisan "to be accepted for you" (Lev. 23:11). In fulfillment thereof, the Risen Lord Jesus told Mary Magdalene that He would "ascend" to God (Jn. 20:17). And then later that day He was back on earth "ascending and descending" in THE FULFILLMENT of that "waving" unto the Lord so that we may have assurance that He had been "accepted for us."

This will again find a fulfillment in the near future when a "firstfruits" unto the Lord (Rev. 14:1-4) will also be "waved" (taken up and sent back) to assure the remaining church of Christian believers that the acceptance of the "firstfruits" means that A HARVEST group will later be reaped!

This reveals to us the pattern that was shown in the days of Moses: TWO appointed times to enter the Promised Land. Israel's refusing the first has not changed God's mind for us....

Now let me review the 10 plagues brought upon ancient Egypt so that we might behold the amazing events soon in store for the world ("Egypt") and for God's chosen those who belong to Jesus Christ.

PLAGUE 1

The Exodus record tells us that Moses gave Aaron the rod (staff) in order to smite the river and streams of water. As a result, the Nile and Egypt's lesser waters were turned into blood. This caused the fish to die and to stink. The record also states that "7 days were fulfilled" until the waters were again free from the blood (Ex. 7:17-25).

Those "7 days of bloodied waters" in Egypt (symbolizing our world under Lucifer), will find a fulfillment in these "end-time days." SEVEN speaks of a cycle or completion and therefore, since it is linked to the "bloodied waters," it speaks of continuous and serious war in which many people are destroyed. In Revelation 17:15, we are told that the waters are peoples:

"And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

"Bloodied waters" reveal war and its bloody aftermath involving many people. Even now we see a partial fulfillment in the various ethnic and regional wars throughout the world. Yet this is but a shadow of the "plague" which is to come by the "rod" of God's judgment being lifted over the "waters" (people) of "Egypt."

"1" links with "Light and Life" and wars involve "life and light" in total forgetfulness of the right to life and light for all....

PLAGUE 2

"2" speaks of SEPARATION, screening, choosing, etc. The second plague was that of the infestation of an abundance of frogs. Frogs are croakers. In Revelation 16:13 we are told of "three unclean spirits like frogs" which "came out of the mouth of the Dragon...of the Beast...and of the...False Prophet." Elsewhere in our literature these "3 frogs" are carefully considered. But for our purpose here, I will but mention that they link with 3 important isms being croaked out in our end-times: Communism, Socialism and Fascism. To these we can now add a host of other isms (croakings): feminism, lesbianism, homosexualism, Arianism, British Israelism, etc.

In the plague, the frogs covered the land, entered the houses, bed-chambers, kitchens ("kneadingtroughs" - Ex. 8:3), etc. This symbolized how every sector of society and the individual's life would be effected and polluted since at the conclusion of the plague, the frogs died and were gathered into heaps and STANK (Ex. 8:13-14). Truly these isms cause the land to stink, especially in the nostrils of the Lord (see Isa. 65:2-5).

PLAGUE 3

"3" speaks of the WORD which needs transmission or conveyance to become effective. Scripture tells us that "the WORD became flesh, and dwelt among us..." (Jn. 1:14). THAT was the DIVINE Word. But we know that multitudinous infants of human flesh have also proceeded from the "word made flesh" (but transmitted by man [through the spermatozoa] instead of by Divine power). Today this process is commonly called sex.

The 3^rd plague of Egypt was that of LICE upon man and beast. Aaron smote the dust of the ground and lice came forth throughout the land of Egypt. Unlike the previous 2 plagues, the magicians were not able to duplicate this plague and confessed, "THIS is the finger of God"! (See Ex. 8:16-19.)

Lice manifest LIFE. The sperm in man is ALIVE: it is life! In fact, we are told by medical science (modern "Egyptian magicians"?) that it is the ONLY cell within man which has independent life, and able to generate a new human being when joined with its complement. Remember then that it was the result of Aaron's smiting the dust (implying or alluding to man's lowest, basest and vilest) that the lice came forth. This then links with the lowest, basest and vilest forms of sexual behavior.

Since World War I, venereal diseases have been rapidly increasing and have become a menace to human society ("Egypt"). Now sex has reached the depths of degradation even into the Bottomless Pit! Out of this "dust" has come forth AIDS, HERPES and a multitude of other STD's (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) even effecting animals. Since it is out of hell, the "Egypt" of this world and its "hell" is being convulsed by it until the FIRE of God's anger consumes the nations and peoples of the world.

"When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ...." II Thessalonians 1:8

At the conclusion of the 3^rd plague, God separated between Israel in Goshen and the balance of Egypt.

PLAGUE 4

"4" is the number of earth, and hence fruitfulness. Fruitfulness can be unto good or evil, depending upon which nature yields the "fruit." In the 3^rd plague we beheld how the fruitfulness of the misused forces of the sexual life led to various venereal diseases a very undesirable "fruit." Similarly, do we behold this same concept as manifest in the 4^th plague upon Egypt the swarm of flies which invaded Egyptian households but not the households of the Israelites in Goshen. (See Ex. 8:21-24.)

Symbolically, the swarm of flies depicts in the human realm words, thoughts and emotions which travel through the air. These HAIRY creatures typify the "hairy" thought-emotions (swarming flies) which have been greatly increasing since World War I. Down through these decades, liberalism in thought-emotions condoned by modern psychiatry and moral relativism, etc., have been swarming and invading the minds of the masses. For example, pornography is but one segment of this "swarm of flies" which has invaded the "Egyptian" society. However, take note: they did not infest Goshen. Truly devoted Christians resist these hairy, defiling thought-emotions....

Each one of us who is truly circumcised in heart will not permit such filthy, vile, hairy creatures to linger more than the briefest moment in our thought-realm. Even the worst of thought-emotions, unmanifested, are not "sin," but they, and even less serious ones if persisted in lead to sin. This the Lord referred to when He said that IF a man lusts after a woman in his "heart," he has committed adultery with her IN HIS HEART! Therefore, again, those who KNOW the Lord will not permit their "houses" to be infested with this "swarm of flies."

PLAGUE 5

"5" is the number of grace, or God's freedom-setting power. But it is also the number of God's judgment. God's judgment upon those in Goshen was/is His freedom-setting power, but unto those in and of Egypt, it was/is a negative judgment.

The 5^th plague was that of a grievous "murrain" on all domesticated livestock (Ex. 9:3). The word murrain seems to more specifically indicate some pestilence or disease upon the cattle of Egypt. Cattle in those ancient days very especially linked with the wealth of the individual or nation. But cattle are also a part of "the beasts of the field." By this we see a linkage to the animalistic nature of man especially the unconverted ("Egyptian") human being. That is, those who do not know Jesus Christ and even deny God. Such we are given to understand suffer serious pestilence and ills in contrast to the God-fearing Christian.

In recent decades, we have heard of increasing diseases (i.e., "mad cow disease," etc.) which have been decimating cattle and other animal herds. And, the fact that cattle linked with wealth would seem to indicate to us some serious economic plague which will overtake this "Egyptian" society. Perhaps an escalation of the current worldwide financial crisis?...

PLAGUE 6

"6" is the number of man's workweek, the number of man, and the number of beast. By linkage, then, it is the number of man's self-exaltation, and man's ego. Therefore, it is the number of humanity WITH THEIR BACK TURNED TO GOD.

The Lord spoke of Himself as "the Son of man," but also the "Son of God." He exemplified the FLOWERING of mankind when they will have come to know God and to live fully unto Him as did Enoch (Gen. 5:24).

The 6^th plague upon Egypt came about as a result of ashes from the furnace sprinkled toward Heaven which resulted in boils upon man and beast. This speaks to us not only of the possibility of nuclear fallout, but of the various concoctions of our modern chemists and pharmaceutical industry bringing forth their "medicines" ("sorceries" in the King James Version [but pharmakeia¹ in the Greek]). These "ashes" have wrought much havoc in human life.

PLAGUE 7

"7" is the number of completion of a cycle, or conclusion, or a termination. It also links with purity, virginity, the Church and the Bride. The Lord will bring forth His Bride at the end of this workweek and institute a conclusion to man's cycle in iniquity, at least for 1,000 years, etc.

The 7^th plague seems to be the most mysterious of all. There were thunderings and hail, and fire running along the ground. (See Ex. 9:23-26.) Then the Lord rained hail mingled with fire upon all the beasts not taken into shelters, and upon man, and upon the herbs of the field breaking down trees. We are familiar today with hailstorms, but this one in Egypt seems to have been portentous of something far more sinister. In the Book of Revelation, we are told of hailstones weighing up to 100 pounds (Rev. 16:21) (10 gallons of frozen water), "hail and fire mingled with blood" (Rev. 8:7), and "lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail" (Rev. 11:19). This plague seems to draw a parallel to the end-time events soon upon us.

As the "mystery" of Christ and His Bride (speaking of true love) begins to unfold (Eph. 5:32) we shall see human emotions (water) becoming ever more devilishly cold, even to "freezing out."

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matthew 24:12

That speaks of emotions fully in the power of the devil. And similarly does it speak of the bride of Lucifer (in "Egypt") being in the earth when this great "hail" (Lucifer's cold humanitarianism) finds fulfillment in the satanic doctrine of so-called "human rights" and "moral relativism." Christ offered up Himself for others: Satan requires all others to be offered up for self and himself that is, their rights and life so that he might be enthroned in the State, etc.

What a hailstorm!! DEATH to all those except who have found shelter in "Goshen." Those who feared the word of Moses were delivered, and the plague was "very grievous" in the land of Egypt.

"Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?" was the question put forth by Pharaoh's servants (Ex. 10:7). In these end-times shall people also behold the hailstorm that shall accompany the fireballs and lightnings and thunders as it rolls along the ground for squadrons of tanks and other military craft shall spew forth lethal fire as light flashes and sounds as unto "peals of thunder" are heard.

"A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them." Joel 2:3

Yes, this shall be a termination (#7) in a horrendous "hailstorm" that will beggar description. The 7^th plague speaks of the END of this dispensation and man's madness which TERMINATES in Armageddon.

PLAGUE 8

The 8^th plague was that of the locust _ such as had never been previously seen in Egypt. They were brought in by a strong "east wind" throughout the day and night and were carried out by "a strong west wind...and cast...into the Red Sea" (of human blood) (Ex. 10:13-19).

The "locusts" brought in by the EAST wind can speak to us of the satanically-inspired forces encroaching from the "East" _ employing thousands of bomber and fighter planes symbolized by the general contour we behold when the locust is magnified several times. But, the Lord turns a mighty WEST wind to drive them into the sea (of human blood).

Yet this plague also links with demonic influences which shall increasingly inundate and overcome the entire world. In Revelation 9:1-3 we are told after the 5^th angel opened the "bottomless pit...there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace...and there came out of the smoke locusts." In verse 11 we are given very clearly to see that these "locusts" had a king over them who is the destroyer (meaning of Apollyon) bringing about DESTRUCTION! This "king of demons," with his stooges, influences the minds and hearts of the multitudes. He works through the intellect (natural man and his mind - the east). However, through the "Spirit" (the west) the Lord is able to drive away from His people abiding in "Goshen" these demonic influences. Forget not that wherever the Lord is, THERE shall be VICTORY - gloriously triumphant!

PLAGUE 9

The 9^th plague involved dense and heavy DARKNESS. (See Ex. 10:21-23.) I often told Mikkel Dahl that it is "getting dark down here" - referring to the spiritual darkness encroaching upon our civilization.

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah 60:2

The darkness in Egypt was prophetic of a SPIRITUAL blackout during the power-era of Lucifer. Even the fact of Israel having "light in their dwellings" (Ex. 10:23) seems to argue against a factual blackout. The number "9" links with a foreign country, religion, and outer space - wherein is God's Throne ("cloud 9").

PLAGUE 10

The 10^th plague dealt Egypt's firstborn of man and beast a deathblow (Ex. 12:29). Though this may not literally repeat in the end-times, yet we are to understand that the death of all their firstborn was a CATALYST which catapulted Israel OUT OF EGYPT. Every Spirit-baptized person at the time of the "Harvest" could be viewed as constituting the "FIRSTborn" throughout the entire world. When the Lord trumpets and calls them to "COME UP HITHER," their sudden departure will equate to their death insofar as the balance of humanity is concerned (see Rev. 11:12; I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16; Rev. 7:14). In that the firstborn of animals were also involved, seemingly depicts that this sudden departure will have impact upon the various economic structures of our society.

AFTER Israel had departed, Pharaoh changed his heart and went in pursuit of Israel, even into the Red Sea where the entire host of the Egyptian army perished. That would indicate, it would seem, that a nuclear holocaust opens AFTER the Lord calls out the Harvest group.

We are also told that Israel "borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold," and thereby "spoiled the Egyptians" (Ex. 12:35-36). This could indicate that the wealth of moral values and richness in the things of God will be taken with those departing and like unto Lot being removed from Sodom, the "covering" (the meaning of "Lot") is taken away - thus spoiling the "Egyptians."

Yes, truly, the "Egyptians" SHALL be plundered as the morally pure, upright and devoted inhabitants of spiritual Israel depart from this world.

UNLESS you are already in "Goshen," which He has set aside for His own, YOU have very little time to make sure your "citizenship" therein is secured.