The Jewish world, and many in the church, commemorated Purim recently. So, what is God speaking to us through Scriptures concerning what Mordecai and Queen Esther did, apart from its historical significance?
Esther 9:1-5
Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them. The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, for the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples. Even all the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who were doing the king’s business assisted the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. Indeed, Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai became greater and greater. Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.
“The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.”
Augustine
In the Old Testament, Israel was the foreshadow of the ekklesia, or church; and Jews were the foreshadow of the elect, or saints.
So, what is the eschatological significance of Purim for the church led by “Mordecai” and “Esther” under the secular, dictatorial rule of “King Ahasuerus”?
Firstly, Purim is a picture of what Jesus said, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19)
Secondly, Purim is a picture of what Paul said, “He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) Indeed, when the church attains “to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13), the fullness and all-subjecting authority of Jesus Christ that fills all in all in His body, the church, are the same quality of fullness and all-subjecting authority of the Deity dwelling in His bodily form when He walked on earth (Colossians 2:9-10).
Thirdly, Purim is a picture of what the writer of Hebrews said about man like us, “”WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him.” (Hebrews 2:6-8)
Fourthly, just as there were King Ahasuerus to Esther, Pharaoh to Joseph, and King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus (over 3 empires) to Daniel, Purim is a picture of friendly rulers and governments who will be instrumental to the prevailing position of the church in the last days despite the Anti-Christ.
Fifthly, Purim was the fullness of prevailing power that delivered the people after years of strategic leading by Mordecai, and planned execution by Esther. Thus, Purim is a picture of strategic leaders and strong kinsmen who understand the prophetic times, with apostolic knowledge of what the church should do for great exploits that are more glorious than the historical Purim in the last days (c.f. 1 Chronicles 12:32). Indeed, when apostolic preparations of the people meet prophetic seasons of God, power to prevail over the enemies of our souls ensues.
Hence, judging from the five points that we have learned from Purim, the apocalypse is not so apocalyptic for the church after all.
Thus, Purim is not just a celebration of the good old days, but the hope, preparation, and victory of the church for the glorious last days! Amen.
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