The Book of Esther and the Book of Revelation

This week we enter our final week of studying through the book of Esther. It's been a wonderful 9 weeks so far to dive into this often neglected but beautiful book of God's Word. 

Throughout my time in study on this book I haven't been able to pull myself away from also studying the book of Revelation. I've said it a few times in my sermons and have made several notes regarding similarities between Esther and Revelation. It has been so fruitful for me that this may start a new habit for me to compare books of the bible against one another to find aspects of difference and similarity. 

Here are some of the "big picture" similarities I've noted between Esther and Revelation. These are not listed by order of importance or significance. 

• Esther is the Final "Historic" book of the OT. Revelation is the Final "Historic" book of the NT. 

While Esther is dated during the 480s BC, Revelation is most often dated to the first century. While Esther isn't the "final" book of the OT in terms of sequential layout of books (for most English translations the book of Micah is the final OT book), it is the latest historic book. Meaning that the events that are covered or the date of writings for all the other books of the OT focus on a time prior to the 480s BC. Ezra and Nehemiah are both books that detail the life of returning exiles from Babylon, but Esther is decidedly beyond this period of returning by decades. Most dates for the return from exile range between 540-520 BC which would have been 60-40 years prior to the events of the book of Esther. 

We may not think of the book of John's Revelation as being a "historic" book, yet it is in many ways. The book of Revelation contains within it seven mini-letters to seven historic churches in different parts of the world. The book certainly does look forward (hence why it is often called an apocalyptic book), but it only does so out of a historical reality of what John saw. John records the book of Revelation as a detailed account of his vision. In this way the books are similar. While Esther is a historic book recounting deeds, dates, and decisions made at a point in time, Revelation is a historic book recounting the deeds, dates, and decisions that John witnessed. 

• Esther and Revelation share an overarching story.

Both books include a grand drama with a beginning, middle and end. The drama of Esther surrounds the threat of Haman against God's people. The drama of Revelation surrounds the curse of death that besets all of creation (including God's people). Esther as a book has a pacing that includes long monologues, short dialog, and tons of action that builds up to a climatic few days of battle and then triumphant feasting. Revelation as a book has a pacing that includes long monologues, doxologies, short dialog, and tons of cosmic imagery of spiritual forces, beings, and the faithful of God involved in a climatic battle in which the triumphant Son of God himself defeats every threat and overcomes death itself. Esther wraps up with a celebration and a command to remember the reason for the celebration. Revelation wraps up with a future preview of an eternal celebration which should inspire Christians to look forward to the everlasting joy that awaits God's final triumph. 

• There is a double enemy in both Esther and Revelation

In both books there are layers of enemies to be dealt with. In Esther there is of course the arch nemesis Haman. But beyond Haman there is an evil which remains even after Haman was executed by Xerxes. The legacy of Haman was found in his edict which still remained a threat until the 13th day of the 12th month. Both Haman and his legacy needed to be overthrown for God's people to survive their threat. 

In Revelation we see an enemy at work, the evil one along with many rebellious beings. While some Christians focus on the evil one as the great problem, the evil one is only the face of evil, much like Haman. There is still the legacy of evil beyond the evil one which needed to be dealt with. In Revelation not only is the face of evil dealt with, but so also death itself cast down and out of the glorious presence of God. 

• Esther and Revelation both have a "Rags to Riches" theme. 

In the book of Esther the two main protagonists are an orphan and an exile. The two come from humble beginnings and do not have power as the world thinks of it. They interpret the events of their lives as significant and see their own involvement as crucial for the benefit of their people. In the book of Revelation we see the humble word-picture of the Lamb of God who is also raised up and exalted to the Throne of God. We see throughout the book the Lamb's involvement as crucial for securing the benefit of eternal life for God's people. 

King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. (Esther 10:1-3 NIV)

In the final chapter of the book of Esther in chapter 10 wraps up with a description of the glory and sway which Mordecai exercises in the Persian empire. In the final chapters of Revelation we see a description of the glory of Christ Jesus and the power and majesty of his victory over chaos and his reign over all in the new heavens and the new earth. At the end of Esther the orphan girl is queen and has all her requests answered by her king. The cousin who cared for the orphan has risen to the status of right hand of the king. At the end of Revelation the Lamb who was slain is worshipped for all ages without end. The one who had descended is seen ascended seated in the city of God whose glory is so bright there is no need of lamps or sun or moon. 

• Both Esther and Revelation are books for a people in waiting

The book of Esther has been a source of joy and celebration for believers since the days of Esther and Mordecai. The celebration of Esther and Mordecai established in Purim set days aside on the calendar of Jews to look forward to. The days would come every year with celebration, food, feasting, and gift giving. No matter what would happen in the life of the people, there was always something to look forward to on the calendar. In the midst of living as exiles, or living under foreign leadership, the people would always have the days of Purim to celebrate and remember the deliverance and rescue during the days of Esther. 

The book of Revelation ought to be a source of great joy for Christians today. Far too often the book of Revelation is either a scary book that overwhelms readers, or it is a book that causes consternation and tension. Revelation ought to do the same for us as Esther. It ought to cause us to see God's promises always fulfilled. It ought to cause us to worship God's triumph over every face of evil and every legacy of evil. It ought to stir us towards passionate service to God. It ought to lead us into celebratory worship that the victory of God is secure and our eternal life is set in stone. It ought to lead us to tears as we consider how our own wickedness is a betrayal of the Lamb who was slain. It ought to inspire us to share the good news of the most triumphant victorious warrior this universe has ever known:

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16 NIV)

Whether we look back at the history of God's people (like in the book of Esther) or we look forward to the future of God's eternal victory (like in the book of Revelation) our faith should be encouraged. The story in many respects of the past is the same of the story of the future. Great danger besets God's people. God reigns supreme even in the midst of great dangers. God's people are protected and provided for out of God's grace. All evils, be they current, or cosmic, all will be defeated through the triumph of the Messiah sent by God to accomplish and fulfill all of God's promises. 

I'm glad and thankful to God for the time he has given to study and meditate on God's word and ways in the book of Esther. I look forward to hopefully spending next winter/spring with a deep dive into the book of Revelation.