Now we come to the type of the Lord's actual return. It is the midnight hour. There is no help for Egypt now, its destruction is at hand. There is no Joseph who can avert the wrath of God that is ready to fall from the heaven.

Israel has become millions of people. A pharaoh was in power who did not remember Joseph. At the same time the Lord God of Heaven was preparing a deliverer for His people. Our God is a God of preparation—provision always is made for those who serve Him. The baby Moses, the future deliverer, was protected from Pharaoh's edict.

Speaking figuratively, the time had come for the stars (the saints) to withdraw their shining (to be persecuted by Pharaoh); the sun (Christ) to withdraw His light (darkness in the land of Egypt); and the moon (the Church) to be covered by the Passover blood. We believe that these events will take place in the physical universe at the time of the coming of Christ; but there is a strong type here.

The people of Israel were placed under the hand of the Lord's protection in Goshen in the northeast corner of Egypt. Then the wrath of God fell in acts of vengeance on the many gods of the Egyptians. Plague after plague struck Egypt until the land was destroyed. The nation lay in ruins, but Goshen was spared totally although it was part of Egypt. What lesson can we learn from this concerning the keeping power of God?

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (Psalms 91:7)

The blood was placed over Israel. The firstborn, the strength of Egypt (Egypt being a type of the world), were slain by the Lord. The cloud and the fire appeared and Moses led Israel out of Egypt (the resurrection from the dead). Will our Christ, Jesus, come with clouds "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God"? (II Thessalonians 1:8).

Egypt was judged and destroyed; Israel was redeemed in the same action at the same time. All the events worked together for good for the Lord's people even in the hour of judgment. A gracious attention to detail took place here: not one of the Egyptian dogs was able to bark at the departing Israelites—and this at midnight! (Exodus 11:7). The Israelites carried off the gold, silver, and bronze, and other valuables of the Egyptians, and used these materials at a later time in the construction of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

Our Lord is coming again to free us from the bondage of physical death. He will revive us in the presence of our enemies, but not until He is ready to judge and destroy the gods of the world. We shall go forth to meet the Lord in glorious victory, not a "dog" being able to lift its tongue against us.

Christ is coming soon. but first there must come a period of blessing and a period of tribulation. Are you preparing yourself in the Lord today?

"Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return! come!" (from Kingdom Concepts)