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18 In that
day [yowm] shall five [chamesh] cities
[`iyr] in the land ['erets] of Egypt [Mitsrayim] speak [dabar] the language [saphah] of
Canaan [Kana`an], and swear [shaba] to the LORD [Yahovah] of
hosts [tsaba']; one ['echad] shall be called ['amar],
The city [`iyr] of destruction [herec]. KJV-Interlinear
18 In that
day five cities in the land of Egypt will be speaking the language of Canaan
and swearing allegiance to the Lord of hosts; one will be called the City of
Destruction. NASB
These things are written and disclosed so that you can be aware of the truth, regardless of whether you believe these things or not. As in this prophecy, most people live phony spiritual lives and do not learn properly, thus the reason for their failure in life.
One of the least recognized principles of doctrine, is the use of numbers in scripture, which in some cases are precise, and in some cases are symbolic, and then more often are used to portray both.
In that day, ‘yowm,’ refers to the period of time that is in view within our passage or in this case, within the scope of the time of this prophecy.
The number five, is the number representing power and grace, and in most cases, it is represented as grace through power, which is Gods power.
Canaan was a son of Ham who was one of the three sons of Noah. Canaan had a brother named Mizraim, also called Egypt. Each settled in the lands named respectively after them. Canaan occupied the lands called Palestine which is current day Israel. The two named, were interconnected for many centuries, until the Exodus in Moses day, and were then separated from each other thereafter. The one continued with its name of Egypt while the other became known as the Land of the Philistines and then subsequently Israel.
The land of Canaan, was occupied by the descendants of Canaan, but was promised to Abraham, a distant son of Shem, son to Noah. So, somehow the descendants of Ham occupied the lands promised to Shem. The former, descendants of Ham, were the recipients of the curse when Ham viewed the naked body of Noah. Recall that the descendants of Ham, namely Canaan, were cursed and that curse was executed when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, under the leadership of Joshua, and took the land that was rightfully theirs.
The Hebrew name Joshua Messiah, are equivalent to the Greek names Jesus Christ. Therefore, the leadership of Joshua was symbolic of the Lords leadership and retaking of the land that was rightfully his.
In the early days, the lands of Canaan and Egypt blended as peoples traveled and lived and traded throughout the region.
And so it will be in the latter days, according to this prophecy.
There will be five cities in Egypt, that will reflect the entire region of Canaan, and more than that, the occupants of those cities will learn of, and fear, in the proper sense, Jesus Christ. They will recognize the significance of their time in history, and the prophecies as they will be currently unfolding before their very eyes.
Out of the many hundreds and perhaps thousands of cities, this number will be a small number, reflecting the general apathy and rejection of Christ.
The cities are not named, as they will likely be hidden as to their true beliefs in that future time, and thus protected, to some degree until revealed, but one name is disclosed, but only symbolically.
The city of destruction, ‘herec,’ means demolition, destruction, to break down into pieces. It also means the city of the sun, typically named after the sun god.
And when combined with the following verses, comes to mean the destruction of false gods, and deliverance by the one true God, Jesus Christ.
So, even within the region commonly known today as anti-Jewish, there will be a remnant of pro-Christian Egyptians. And this is important as in that future time, there will be huge support for the anti-christ, who is trying his best to obliterate all Jewish and Christian sentiments.
Therefore, under those conditions there will be an open rebellion of sorts, against the anti-christ, in a strong showing of support for Christianity, and particularly the Jewish people.
That may very well end up in retaliation and their destruction from the anti-christ, but nonetheless, it demonstrates that a small number of people will reject the evils of their day, even in there face of certain retalliation.
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