Esther is a prophetic book, pregnant with warning for us. The story unfolds as a drama with four protagonists: first, Ahasuerus, king of Medo-Persia, a political power; second, and second-in-command is Haman who, together with his wife and counselors, represents a religious coalition; third is Mordecai, a persecuted figure; fourth is the intercessory figure, the beautiful Queen Esther.

Haman wants not just respect, but worship, shown by the words, "bowed not, nor did him reverence." Esther 3:2. This combination of words "bowed" and "do reverence" is used to signify "worship." Mordecai, an exiled Jew, refuses to dishonor God by worshipping Haman. This enrages Haman, who accuses Mordecai to the King, as one who is breaking the civil laws. (We see the prophetic fulfilling of this in the accusation brought against God's people, as prophesied in the 13th chapter of Revelation, where we are introduced to a group of people who refuse to bow to the image of the beast and do reverence to it.)

In Esther, we read that a law is passed that allows all people living in the king's provinces, "to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month." Esther 3:13. From these words we understand that the decree will be universal, it will be dated, it is irreversible (because such were the laws of the Medes and the Persians), it will be one of RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE. Soon Queen Esther, a Jew, which fact is unknown both to the king and Haman, hears of the plot, and is urged by Mordecai to intervene for her people. Risking her life, even as Christ did for His people, she appears before the king in her intercessory robes and role, inviting him and Haman to a feast, at which time she promises to ask a request of the king. Haman's pride is quickly deflated by his wife, who counsels him that all this honor is meaningless unless he can force the hated Jew to worship him. She advises him to build a gallows on which to hang Mordecai.

That night King Ahasuerus can't sleep, so the daily court records are read to him. An incident is there recorded which demonstrates the integrity and loyalty of Mordecai. The next day Haman is forced to publicly honor Mordecai, leading him through the streets on the king's horse, in the king's robe, wearing the king's ring. Then Haman is summoned to the feast.

The king asks Esther to tell him her request, which she does at a second feast, summarily denouncing Haman as the one who is trying to destroy the Jewish people. Haman is hung on the very gallows he so gleefully intended for Mordecai. Esther asks that a counter-command be issued so that her people have the right to defend themselves, and this request is granted. At the precise time that the captive Jews would have been killed, divine intervention saves their lives.

Today death is determined by Satan against God's people. This sinful world belongs to his satanic majesty, and he means to establish his authority in these last days. A death decree will be passed by the ruling power and the religious coalition that empowers it. This is explained in Revelation 13. The United States is the 2-horned beast (signifying a religious and civil power) which began as a lamb, giving political and religious asylum to the persecuted masses of Europe. This beast later "speaks" (symbolizing its legislative decisions) as a dragon. A death decree will be issued on all those who refuse to worship the beast. In his intercessory role as our high priest, Christ intervenes for us. The lives of God's people are spared. The wicked Haman and his forces are destroyed. Then Christ will take His people home to Himself.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:19.

Soon economic ruin will be brought about by national apostasy. The law will be passed to kill all those who refuse to worship the god of this world. Everyone living will play a part in this drama. Let us heed our Father's loving warning.