Exodus and The Plagues of Revelation: Part Two
When we read the story of Exodus, it’s easy to see it as ancient history—a battle between Moses and Pharaoh, God and Egypt. But the truth is, these stories are more than history. They’re a warning for the times we’re living in right now.
Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart against God’s truth, the Bible tells us that in the end times many will reject God’s Word and believe a lie. We need to be ready and watchful.
The plagues of Egypt were meant to show God’s power, expose Egypt’s false gods, and call His people out of bondage. What I find so interesting is that the book of Revelation describes a coming series of plagues that in some ways mirror those in the book of Exodus—reminding us that history often repeats itself, and God is still calling His people to choose Him above the world.
Will we soften when God reveals truth, or will we resist like Pharaoh, letting pride and fear harden our hearts? As we study these parallels, let’s ask ourselves: Am I ready to stand firm in faith, even when the world is shaking? Because time is short and whatever we’re going to do, we need to do quickly.
This article is part two of this series: Exodus: A Parallel for the End Times. You can read the first article here.
The Plagues
When Moses was commissioned by God to go before the Pharaoh and plead for the release of the Israelites, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard” (Exodus 7:22) and he refused to let the Israelites go.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, the Bible says, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
Pharaoh refused to believe the truth that Moses was speaking and his heart was hardened. This is such an important reminder! When God shows us His truth we have a choice to believe or not believe. We have a choice to follow the truth or walk the other way. As the time of probation draws to a close, is there truth you have rejected? Are there things that God has shown you that you don’t want to accept? Is your heart slowly hardening so that you believe a lie?
Some of the ten plagues in Egypt are similar to the seven plagues found in the book of Revelation. Let’s take a look:
| Plagues in Exodus | Plagues in Revelation |
|---|---|
| 1. Water turned to blood | 1. Painful sores |
| 2. Frogs cover the land | 2. Sea turns to blood |
| 3. Gnats infest people and animals | 3. Rivers and springs turn to blood |
| 4. Swarms of flies | 4. Scorching sun |
| 5. Livestock die | 5. Darkness |
| 6. Boils on people and animals | 6. Euphrates dries up |
| 7. Hail mixed with fire | 7. Lightning, earthquakes, islands flee, 100-lb hailstones |
| 8. Locusts devour crops | — |
| 9. Darkness covers Egypt | — |
| 10. Death of the firstborn | — |
The suffering for the Egyptians must have been exceedingly great. How Pharaoh could be so calloused – I just can’t even imagine. It seems like with the first plague would have scared anyone enough to make them believe in the true God of Heaven. Even the pots of water turned to blood!
On the other hand, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to perform some of the same tricks. This is import because the devil still wants to confuse people today. We must always remember that the only truth we can believe is the Word of God – even our eyes can deceive us.
“But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.” Exodus 7:22
The Bible tells us that in the last days that Satan will perform all kinds of signs and wonders making it difficult for those who do not have a sound knowledge of the Word to decipher the lies from the truth.
“They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:14
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24
You see, we will have to know the difference. We won’t be able to trust our eyes! The Beast in Revelation will shock our senses. The whole world will wonder after the Beast.
“… and all the world wondered after the beast.” Revelation13:3
“And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.” Revelation 13:13
Except for the remnant who remain faithful to God’s Word. Those who have studied and know what is coming, who know what to trust and what to reject. We won’t be able to trust our eyes, our emotions, our five senses. In the last days we will only have God’s Word to depend upon completely.
“A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.’ This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:9-12
Although they were persecuted by Pharaoh, God’s people in Egypt, in the land of Goshen, were protected from all the sorrow and suffering that struck the Egyptian people during the plagues.
I have given this serious thought over the years. I have prayed about it many times. I think about my children. I don’t want them to suffer. But I do want them to trust their Father in Heaven even in the face of death.
If faced with a horrible choice – choose Jesus. Even if it means losing this life. Because as Jesus said, “…he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
So many Christians believe that we won’t be here for the time of trouble, but nowhere in Scripture is this belief found! Just as the Israelites lived through the plagues and but were protected from them, so will those Christians who are alive when the plagues of Revelation take place. Just as God delivered the His people out of Egypt, so will He deliver His people from this world.
I’ll talk more about the plagues and how they parallel in the next post.
Originally published June 30, 2012. Updated September 2025.
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