How Does the Story of the Plagues in Egypt Relate to the Book of Revelation?

Direct Answer

Yes—the plagues on Egypt are a prophetic pattern for the worldwide judgments in Revelation.

Les Feldick teaches that most of what happens in the Tribulation in the book of Revelation is almost a re-run of the plagues on Egypt. The key difference is that Egypt's plagues were regional, while the Tribulation plagues will happen on a worldwide scale. If you can believe God judged Egypt, you should have no trouble believing He will judge the earth again.

Key Scriptures

Exodus 12:12 — God's final judgment on Egypt's firstborn and gods shows the same sovereign judgments seen in Revelation.

Revelation 8:8 — John's vision of the sea becoming blood parallels the Nile turning to blood in Egypt.

What Does the Bible Say?

In the book of Exodus, God sent a series of plagues on Egypt because of Pharaoh's refusal to let Israel go. The waters of the river became blood (Exodus 7:20). God later told Moses, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD" (Exodus 12:12). The blood on the doorposts was the token that protected Israel, as God said, "when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). In Revelation, John's visions record judgments that echo these same events. An angel sounded, and "as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood" (Revelation 8:8). Another angel sounded, and a great star fell "upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters" (Revelation 8:10). This is scriptural evidence that the Egyptian plagues find a larger counterpart in the book of Revelation.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Plagues in Egypt and Revelation?

Les Feldick teaches that the plagues of Egypt are the key to understanding many of the judgments in the book of Revelation. He says that most of what takes place in the Tribulation is almost a re-run of the plagues that fell on Egypt. The parallel is direct: the same kinds of judgments—locusts, water turned to blood, cosmic disturbances—will happen again, but now on a worldwide scale. Egypt's plagues were regional; the Tribulation plagues will happen all around the planet. Les also shows how the Egyptian plagues were a display of God's supernatural power. He points out that the supernatural was commonplace in the Old Testament, with Elijah being transported, Enoch being translated, Israel crossing the Red Sea, and God coming down on Mount Sinai. So if a person can believe God judged Egypt, they should have no trouble believing the same God will judge the earth again. The Passover is the clearest example of both severity and mercy. The first three plagues fell even on Goshen, where Israel lived, but then God put a division between the Jews and the Egyptians. The last plague—the death of the firstborn—was the worst, and Israel was spared only when the blood of the Passover lamb was applied to their doorposts. In the final three and a half years of the Tribulation, Les says plagues and cosmic disturbances will be so awful that death will run rampant until Christ appears.

What Exactly Does Les Say Is Repeated in Revelation?

Les describes the Tribulation as almost a re-run of Egypt's plagues. The same types of judgments appear—such as the great influx of locusts, demonic creatures, and cosmic disturbances. He also says the supernatural and miraculous were commonplace in the Old Testament, so accepting future worldwide plagues should not be a problem.

Was Egypt the Only Place Affected by the Plagues?

The earlier plagues were not limited to Egypt proper. Les notes that the first three plagues fell on Goshen, where Israel lived, as well as on the rest of Egypt. Then God established a division, so the Jews no longer experienced the plagues that struck Egypt.

How Does the Final Plague Connect to Revelation?

The last plague was the death of the firstborn. Les says it was the worst one of all. God told Moses He would pass through Egypt and smite the firstborn, both man and beast, and execute judgment against the gods of Egypt. Israel's protection came through the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts. In the Tribulation, the final period will be marked by awful plagues and cosmic disturbances with death running rampant until Christ appears.

What Does the Nile Turning to Blood Show About Revelation?

When Moses caused the Nile to turn to blood, the Egyptians had to dig wells for fresh water. Then God's next judgment affected even the well water. Les points to Revelation's trumpet judgments as the worldwide counterpart: a third of the sea becomes blood, and a star falls on rivers and fountains of water. This shows how the Egyptian plagues are repeated in Revelation on a global scale.

From the Teaching

Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts

Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.

Revelation Is a Re-run of Egypt's Plagues

Les teaches that most of the Tribulation in Revelation is almost a re-run of the plagues on Egypt, only worldwide in scale, and includes demonic locusts and cosmic disturbances.

Revelation Repeats the Egyptian Plagues on a Global Scale

Les explains the Revelation plagues repeat what happened under Pharaoh in Egypt, but instead of being regional they will happen all around the planet. He also reminds us the supernatural was common in the Old Testament.

First Plagues Touched Israel Too

Les notes the first three plagues fell on Goshen, where Israel lived, as well as on the rest of Egypt.

God's Sovereignty in the Last Plague

Les explains that God said He would pass through Egypt and smite the firstborn and judge the gods of Egypt, showing His absolute sovereignty.

Tribulation's Final Plagues

Les says the last three and a half years will bring such awful plagues and cosmic disturbances that death will run rampant until Christ appears.

The Blood on the Doorposts

Les describes the death of the firstborn as the worst plague, and shows Israel was spared by faith when they applied the Passover blood to their doorposts.

Nile Blood Parallels Revelation's Water Judgments

Les connects the Nile turning to blood in Egypt with the Revelation trumpet judgments that strike the sea and the fresh-water sources of the earth.

Bible Verses

Exodus 7:20: And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

This records the first sign of the judgment that began the plague sequence on Egypt.

Exodus 12:12: For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

God's declaration before the last plague—the death of the firstborn—shows the sovereignty behind all these judgments.

Exodus 12:13: And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

The blood on the doorposts was the mercy provision that turned judgment away from Israel.

Revelation 8:8: And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

John's vision shows the sea turned to blood, echoing the Nile plague in Egypt.

Revelation 8:10: And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

The judgment on rivers and fountains parallels the Egyptian plague that struck water sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the plagues in Revelation the same plagues as Egypt's?

Les Feldick says the Tribulation plagues in Revelation are almost a re-run of Egypt's plagues. The types of judgments are similar—locusts, water turned to blood, cosmic disturbances—but the Revelation versions happen on a worldwide scale rather than just in Egypt.

Why did Egypt dig wells during the plagues?

According to Les, when Moses caused the Nile to turn to blood, the Egyptians could no longer use the river for drinking and cooking water, so they dug wells for fresh water. Then the next plague affected even the well water.

Did Israel experience the Egyptian plagues?

Les explains that the first three plagues fell on Goshen where Israel lived as well as on the rest of Egypt. Then God put a division so the Jews no longer experienced the plagues that fell on Egypt.

What does the death of the firstborn show us?

It shows God's sovereignty—He told Moses He would pass through Egypt and smite the firstborn and judge the gods of Egypt. It also shows His protection of Israel, because they were spared when they put the Passover blood on their doorposts in faith.

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Watch the Teaching: Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts