Prophetically, the book of Esther is a picture of the rejection by Israel of the kingdom of God, and the granting of the kingdom to someone more favorable and receptive to it. At first glance, it would appear that Esther is a type of the bride of Christ, but a closer look at the typology in Esther reveals that Esther is a type of the 144,000 Firstfruits of Israel, who come to God during the tribulation period, and end up as the faithful wife of God the Father. The prophetic interpretation of Esther follows a similar one of the book of Hosea.  Israel is the adulterous wife of God the Father, and he divorces her for her disobedience and faithlessness. He later takes her back and she becomes His faithful wife.

A brief overview of the types in Esther is as follows: King Ahasuerus is a type of God the Father. Vashti is a type of Israel, when the Kingdom of God was offered to her at the time that Jesus came to earth the first time. The seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus are the seven Arc Angels or the Seven Presence Angels. Mordecai is a type of Jesus Christ.  Hegai is a type of the holy Spirit, who oversees the preparation of Esther to become the wife of the King. Haman is a type of the Antichrist, who seeks to destroy Mordecai (i.e., Jesus Christ) and the Jews, but the tables will be turned, and Jesus Christ will be the one exalted, while Haman will be destroyed. The Jews will almost come to their destruction, but they will end up as the victors, and the favored ones in the Kingdom. Mordecai (i.e., Jesus Christ) ends up as the number 2 ruler in the kingdom under Ahasuerus (i.e., God the Father).

(Est 1:1 KJV)  Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

Ahasuerus is a type of God the Father, and His reign is from East to West.  The 127 provinces is the Biblical number of 10 for ordinal completion, and means complete. God the Father’s reign is complete from East to West. It includes everything in the universe. “From India even unto Ethiopia” is a type of the whole world and means from East to West.

(Est 1:2 KJV)  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

The time is when God the Father sat on His throne in perfect purity and whiteness in the temple in heaven.  Shushan means lily from the whiteness of it, and it represents the perfect purity and holiness of God. It also means trumpet from its shape. The whiteness represents the purity of God the Father, and the trumpet pertains to the calling of Israel for a congregation. The time of the action in the prophetic interpretation is when God the Father sent His Son to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of the Heavens to His people, the nation of Israel.

(Est 1:3 KJV)  In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:

There are three dispensations of God’s reign during the six thousand years of man’s existence. The first was 2000 years with God the Father. The second was Christ for 2000 years with Israel in existence.  Everything that Israel did in temple or tabernacle worship pointed to Christ. The third has been the 2000 years with the Holy Spirit as our comforter. It was the beginning of the third that Christ came forth to reveal the riches of his glorious kingdom to the nation of Israel.

(Est 1:4 KJV)  When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even and hundred and fourscore days.

Jesus came as the Messiah to Israel to reveal the Kingdom to them. He demonstrated the riches and power of the kingdom of the Heavens by performing an untold number of miracles.  He healed the sick, blind, and crippled. He showed his power over the very elements by changing water to wine, and multiplying bread and fishes to feed a multitude. He showed his power over the forces of nature by calming the storm, and defying gravity by walking on water. He showed his power over the supernatural world by casting out demons. He showed his power over the mind by reading people’s thoughts. Jesus truly showed the riches of God’s glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty. The 180 days total up Biblically to 9, the number of judgment. It was the time that God was going to judge sin. This judgment took place at Calvary when the Son of God took the judgment for sin upon Himself.

(Est 1:5 KJV)  And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

At the end of Jesus’ 3 ½ years of ministry to Israel He spent 7 days of closeness with those who had walked with Him and been close to Him. “Present in Shushan the palace” means “present in purity or whiteness in the temple.” The body of Christ was the temple or home of God. The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God Incarnate, and He lived a perfect sinless life. The court seems to mean the last supper and the garden alludes to the Garden of Gethsemene.

In addition to the last seven days of Jesus’ life before Calvary, these seven days also point to the fulfillment of the 7 days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the present two thousand years that God’s people are to put all leaven outside of the house. Leaven represents sin and false doctrine, and the house is our bodies, which are the temple of God. We are to partake of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, which is the life of Christ. We do this by studying the Bible, the written Word of God. Christ is the living Word of God, and the Bible is the written Word of God.

This seven day feast is for those who have been set apart (i.e., in the court), and under the protection of God (i.e., of the garden), and in the household of faith (i.e., of the king’s palace).

(Est 1:6 KJV)  Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

This verse depicts the things that are in the household of God (i.e., in the palace). The white represents the purity of God, and green points to His covenant of never destroying the earth again. The blue points to His grace and mercy. The fine linen represents the purity of Jesus’ life and the purple represents his royalty. The silver rings point to the blood atonement, and the pillars of marble point to important positions in His kingdom. The bed is a place of rest and the gold depicts the deity of Christ. The silver again alludes to the blood atonement, but it is repeated to emphasize the continual cleansing that the blood provides. Thus, the rest of Israel was present in the deity and blood atonement for Israel. It was available to them, and all they had to do was come to the Father via His Son Jesus Christ.  Their rest on the deity and blood atonement was dependent upon the red (i.e., the blood), the blue (i.e., the grace), and the white and black marble.  The white represents the perfect and sinless life of Christ, and the black represents the sin that he took upon Himself. He took upon Himself the sin of the world, and this included Israel. All that Israel had to do was come to Him in obedience in order to receive the Kingdom.

(Est 1:7 KJV)  And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.

The drink is the blood of Christ offered in the vessels of gold. It represents His cleansing blood offered up in His deity. Each person who partook of this blood was a different vessel. The Holy Spirit in believers took on a completely different shape for each person who drank. The cleansing blood was in abundance according to the ability of the King to provide. No sin was too great or too numerous so that the blood could not cover it.

(Est 1:8 KJV)  And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

The cleansing blood was according to the law. The substitutionary death and the atoning blood of Christ was in perfect accordance with the law. Also, no one was forced to drink of this blood. It was open to anyone who wanted to drink. A person did not have to drink if he did not want to.

(Est 1:9 KJV)  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

Vashti is a type of unfaithful Israel headed up by the Scribes and Pharisees who sat in the seat of Moses. The religious leaders of Israel had their own thing going that was separate and apart from what God the King was doing. They had substituted their own traditions and additions to the law, and their celebrations of the feasts of the Lord were after their own understanding, and not in accordance with knowledge. Vashti and the women of the “house” (i.e. house of Israel) were oblivious to what God was doing through His Son Jesus in revealing the riches of His glorious Kingdom to them.

(Est 1:10 KJV)  On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

On the seventh day after the blood sacrifice had been made, and God was satisfied and pleased that the sacrifice had been completed, God commanded the seven Arc Angels (i.e., the seven presence angels) to go to Israel (i.e., the beautiful one) for her to come before the King with the royal crown. The names of the seven chamberlains are as follows: Mehuman—faithful or trusty; Biztha—booty or double gift or uncertain meaning; Harbona—a donkey driver or barren or bald man; Bigtha—gift of God or in the wine press; Abagtha—God given; Zethar—star or slayer, kingdom or victor; Carcas—hawk or severe. These seven meanings certainly have a relationship to the seven presence angels. Mehuman seems to refer to Gabriel, the faithful and trusty messenger of God, and Biztha appears to refer to Michael the Protector of Israel, God’s firstborn son due the double inheritance. Harbona seems to represent Lucifer, the angel who became barren and defiled. Bald means defiled in the Word of God. The other four Presence Angels are not named in the Bible, but they are named in the Apocrypha. These are almost certainly the four angels mentioned in Revelation 7:1-2 and Revelation 9:14-15 who faithfully perform God’s will in judgment upon the earth.

(Est 1:11 KJV)  To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

The royal crown is the type of entrance into the heavenly aspect of the Kingdom. Israel could not come before the King without the royal crown. The requirement for the royal crown for Israel (for the Church also in the present age) was repentance and baptism. Israel as a nation had refused both so the nation was without a crown and refused to come before the king. The people are the common people of the world, and the princes are the leaders of the world.

(Est 1:12 KJV)  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Israel refused to come before the King with the royal crown, which was commanded by the King through His Arc Angels. The Arc Angels as messenger depict the tremendous importance of this commandment by God to the nation of Israel. God was very angry with Israel, and rightly so, because His own people were disobedient to Him. Israel was given 40 years after the crucifixion of Christ to come before God the Father, but Israel refused to come as a nation, so they were set aside (i.e., divorced).

(Est 1:13 KJV)  Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

Then God the Father addresses Jesus Christ, the One who had personal experiential knowledge of earthly life, for He knew from personal experience about sin and the judgment upon sin. Even though Jesus Christ had committed no sin, He took upon Himself our sin and he experienced the judgment for our sin. The “wise men” typify Jesus Christ in this verse. The phrase “knew the times” means from personal experience. The Hebrew word for wise men means exceedingly wise in mind, word, and act. This is clearly an allusion to Jesus Christ. The phrase “knew law and judgment” means to know by personal experience about the sin and the judgment upon sin. There was only one human being who was wise in mind, word and act who personally knew about sin and the judgment upon sin, and that person was Jesus Christ. The following verses further identify the type.

(Est 1:14 KJV)  And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

There are seven wise men that typify Jesus Christ. This is very much akin to the seven spirits of God in Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; & 5:6, which represent the Holy Spirit or the Third Person of the Trinity. Here, we have seven special names, that describe the person and character of Jesus Christ. They are as follows: Carshena—illustrious or shining brightly (depicts Jesus in His Glory with God the Father); Shethar—a star or messenger (depicts Jesus as the Sent One); Admatha—a testimony to them (depicts Jesus as the One who came as a testimony or manifestation of the Father); Tarshish—a gemstone or region of the stone or rock (depicts Jesus Christ as the Rock of our salvation); Meres—lofty or elevated in character (depicts Jesus as the sinless one); Marsena—worthy (depicts Jesus as the perfect and suitable sacrifice for sin); Memucan—dignified or honored (depicts Jesus Christ as Judge). “Saw the king’s face” means that Christ literally saw God the Father’s face. This is confirmed in the following verse: (John 1:18 KJV) “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Christ is the only One who has seen the Father’s face. “The first in the kingdom” can be none other than Jesus Christ and the seven wise men portray the person and character of Jesus Christ..

(Est 1:15 KJV)  What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

The Father has conferred upon Jesus Christ the right to judge both the saved and the unsaved. Therefore, Jesus Christ determined the judgments upon Israel for her disobedience. The chamberlains refer back to the Arc Angels that serve in the presence of God the Father.

(Est 1:16 KJV)  And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

The One who is the Judge of all things renders His judgment against Israel. He declares that Israel has not only done wrong against God the Father, but she (Israel) has done wrong against all of the rulers of the kingdom and the people. It was Israel’s job to be a witness of God to all of the nations, but she failed miserably in her job. The story of the fig tree that was cursed by Jesus Christ because it bore no fruit is the story of Israel.

(Est 1:17 KJV)  For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

The disobedience of Israel would cause all who are subject to the Master to have disrespect for the Master, if this transgression goes unpunished.

(Est 1:18 KJV)  Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

Israel must be punished as an example of God’s righteous judgment, even if the one being punished is the one who is beautiful and has been close to the Father. If Israel is not punished, then everyone will have contempt and disrespect for the Father.

(Est 1:19 KJV)  If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

A royal decree must be issued that cannot be altered that states that Israel can no longer come in the presence of God the Father. In addition, her estate will be given to another who is good or better than she. On first glance, this other one who receives the inheritance appears to be the Church, but one Hebrew word in this passage for “than she” means out of, from or partitioned from Vashti. Thus, the one who is to receive the royal estate will be closely related, and will descend from Vashti. Therefore, the one who will still receive the royal estate will still be Jewish, and she will come later. This interpretation is confirmed later when Esther receives the estate. It is mentioned numerous times that Esther is Jewish. Also, Esther is only related to Mordecai, a type of Jesus Christ, and she does not become His bride. Esther becomes the wife of the king, who typifies God the Father. Therefore, Esther typifies the 144,000 Firstfruits of Israel. The remnant of Israel that will be atoned for during the tribulation period will eventually receive the earthly inheritance that was removed from Israel after her disobedience when Jesus came the first time. This removal of the earthly inheritance occurred in AD 70.when Titus conquered and sacked Jerusalem and drove the Jews out into the world without a land and without a King.

(Est 1:20 KJV)  And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

The removal of Israel’s inheritance will serve as an example to everyone in the kingdom of God to honor Jesus Christ, who is their Master.

(Est 1:21 KJV)  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

As stated above in verse 14, Memucan is a type of Jesus Christ in His role as Judge. This confirms that the decision that Jesus makes about the judgment of Israel for her disobedience is the one that is final. The “word of Memucan” is the Word of Jesus Christ.

(Est 1:22 KJV)  For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

This verse depicts the Word of God going out to all the nations of the world during the time that God is angry with Israel, and during the time that Israel has been set aside. This is the Church Age, and the prophetic interpretation of this verse states, “And God sent his Word into the whole kingdom, into every nation according to the written language of the people, and to be preached in the language of the people, that altogether One Man (i.e., Jesus Christ) shall bear rule in the household of faith (i.e., the Church), and this shall be a commandment. This one verse portrays the entire 2000 year period of the Church Age. The next verse picks up with God turning His attention back to the Jews. The prophetic interpretation of the book of Esther is primarily about the Jews, and the Church only plays a small part in it. This is why the entire Church Age is skipped over in one verse in the prophetic interpretation of Esther.  

(Est 2:1 KJV)  After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

“After these things” is after the current Church Age when the bride of Christ has been removed from the earth, and God turns His attention back to the Jews. The time interval in between the king’s wrath and the appeasement of his wrath is the Church Age. The book of Esther does not address the Church or bride of Christ in any kind of detail. This verse states, “After the Church Age when God’s anger against Israel had subsided, God remembered Israel, her disobedience, and the judgment against her.” The judgment against her was the removal of the heavenly aspect of the kingdom, and its bestowal upon those in the Church who would be faithful.

(Est 2:2 KJV)  Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

“The king’s servants” are those members of the Church who have been left upon the earth to minister to Him. The “fair young virgins sought for the king’ represent the Gentiles who will be saved during the tribulation and the Jews who will be saved during the tribulation period. Esther will represent the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits. This verse typifies the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week during which 144,000 Jews (12,000 from each of 12 tribes of Israel) are selected as the Firstfruits to be the wife of God the Father. In Revelation the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are referred to as virgins, and they come out of Israel.  Prophetically, this verse states, “Then said God’s immature and menial servants that now ministered to Him upon the earth, ‘Let us seek out Jews and Gentiles who will be faithful to God.’” The Hebrew words here confirm that God is now dealing with servants upon the earth who are immature and unknowledgable about the deeper truths of the Bible. The reason for this is that the faithful members of the Church have been removed in the separation, and the only ones left are the ones who were immature at the time of the separation. Those Christians who are left upon the earth after the separation will be the ones who witness to the 144,000 Jews and numerous other people in the world who will be saved during the first half of the tribulation period.

(Est 2:3 KJV)  And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:

The officers appointed in all the provinces of the kingdom represent those in the Church who have been left at the separation who have become faithful witnesses to the Lord.  Their purpose is to gather the saved Jews and Gentiles into the purity of being cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ. The palace is the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God. The earthly aspect of the kingdom is confirmed by the phrase “to the house of the women.” “House of the women” occurs four times in the Bible in the book of Esther, and all in this chapter. Four is the number of the earth and pertains to earthly things. Also, it is the sons who will inherit the heavenly aspect of the kingdom.  

(Est 2:4 KJV)  And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

This verse states prophetically, “And allow the young Jewish believers who are fountains of living water for God be His royal wife in place of ancient Israel who was set aside as God’s wife.” The prophetic interpretation of the book of Esther also follows the Semitic style of apocalyptic writing in first giving an overview, and then going back and giving details. This verse completes the prophetic overview, and the next verse starts the detailed analysis of what the overview covers.

(Est 2:5 KJV)  Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

Shushan means lily or lotus. Mordecai means little man. Jair means God shines forth. Shimei means my being heard. Kish means gift, and Benjamin means son of the right hand. All of these apply to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came as a little baby in a manger, but He was actually God Incarnate. He manifested God to mankind. Jesus came to die for our sins as a free gift, but He also came so that God could be heard by all of mankind. Jesus Christ is also the Son of the Right Hand of God. He is the Only Begotten Son of God.  Mordecai is clearly a type of Jesus Christ in the book of Esther.

(Est 2:6 KJV)  Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

This verse states prophetically that Jesus was revealed as the Prince of Peace, an exile from His own people, whom God established as the King of Judah, Who was exiled by Satan, the author of confusion. This appears as if Satan has the upper hand, and he does reign as king of the world now, but this is part of God’s plan. Jesus Christ, the exiled King of Judah will return as the rightful King of the Jews, and He will establish His kingdom.

(Est 2:7 KJV)  And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

Hadassah is the Hebrew name of Esther.  The name means Myrtle Tree, and the Myrtle was a picture of God’s promised blessings. As the Hebrew name it pictures, portrays, or prefigures God’s promised blessings to Israel. This is exactly what the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits portray in Revelation. They are a picture or forerunner of the fulfillment of God’s blessings upon Israel. The Persian name Esther means “bride”, and this appears to depict the 144,000 as the bride of God the Father, just as the Firstfruits of the Church will be the bride of Christ. Esther also means star, which means a messenger. The 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits will be God’s messenger to the world during the last half of the tribulation period. Without father or mother pictures the spiritual birth of the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits. Esther as a fair and beautiful virgin pictures her spiritual life. The death of her mother and father portrays the death of the old flesh nature. The word for daughter means the “apple of the eye” and this has special reference to Israel. Jesus will draw the 144,000 to Himself during the first half of the tribulation period. The word for daughter also means sister. There is a family relationship of Esther to Mordecai, but not that of bride or wife. This confirms that Esther is a type of the wife of God the Father.

(Est 2:8 KJV)  So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

“So it came to pass” seems to be the separation, but the action is taking place on the earth, so the king’s commandment and decree being heard is the gospel of the kingdom. The “many maidens” refers to those in the Church who are now coming into the power of the Holy Spirit. Shushan means “lily” and represents purity, and the palace represents the kingdom. In addition to the Church (i.e., those who remain) coming into purity and in the kingdom, many Gentiles will be saved at this time also, and these are also included among the pure virgins. In addition, at this time 144,000 Jewish converts will trust in Jesus Christ. They are pictured as the virgin Esther. The main body of Jews will not be saved until the very end of the tribulation period. The word for custody means into his hand, and Hegai is a type of the Holy Spirit. The king’s house is the household of faith. There are now three groups of people in the household of faith: (1) Christians, (2) saved Gentiles, and (3) saved Jews. This is why the book of Revelation at this point in time after the separation has taken place starts calling those in the household of faith as saints, instead of Church. Saints is a generic term that refers to all of the saved, whether they are Church, Jews, or Gentiles. Members of the Church are called saints throughout the New Testament.

(Est 2:9 KJV)  And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

Prophetically, this verse states that the Holy Spirit was pleased with the mental and spiritual faculties of the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits, so the Holy Spirit quickly provided for their cleansing and their spiritual growth. In 3 ½ years, the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits will become spiritual giants, as they will preach the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world during the last half of the tribulation period. Three and one-half years is a short time to become spiritually mature. “Such things as belonged to her “refers to the assignment of the 144,000, which is to preach the gospel of the kingdom. The seven maidens given to Esther appear to represent the seven spirits of God, which is the sevenfold character of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3). They are (1) the spirit of the Lord, (2) the spirit of wisdom, (3) the spirit of understanding, (4)the spirit of counsel, (5) the spirit of might, (6) the spirit of knowledge, and (7) the spirit of the fear of the LORD. All of these characteristics are of the Holy Spirit, and they are imparted to believers when the believers walk in the spirit. The phrase “out of the king’s house” confirms that these seven maidens are from the Holy Spirit. The 144,000 are moved into the highest position in the earthly aspect of the kingdom. “House of the women” again refers to the earthly aspect of the kingdom. Those who enter the heavenly aspect of the kingdom are referred to as sons (i.e., huios), which has reference to being the head over the household.

(Est 2:10 KJV)  Esther had not showed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not show it.

This verse confirms that at the time that the 144,000 are saved and purified, the world will not be aware that they are Jews. The reason for this is these Jews are hidden in the world, and the world does not know they are Jews at this time. They will not be revealed as Jews until the Antichrist comes against the Jews. This will be in the middle of the tribulation period when Antichrist turns against the Jews. Mordecai as a type of Jesus was the one who hid the treasure (i.e., Israel) in the field, and the treasure will not be revealed until the appropriate time. Jesus Christ determines when the 144,000 will be revealed as Jews.

(Est 2:11 KJV)  And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Just as Jesus walks among the churches during the present age, He will walk among the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits during the tribulation period. This verse portrays the care and concern that Jesus will have for the 144,000 Jews. Jesus will observe and judge the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits during the first half of the tribulation period. They will be sealed as their salvation will be complete in the middle of the tribulation period.

(Est 2:12 KJV)  Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

The days of their consecration or purification is the first half of the tribulation period. It will be a 42 month long period during the first half of the tribulation period. It will be a period of purification of all of the virgins, including Christians, saved Gentiles, and the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits. The going in unto the King is the time of Judgment for the virgins. The treatments that the virgins received was the oil of myrrh. This represents the fruit of the spirit that comes from a time of persecution and suffering. Myrrh is a spice that is associated with death. It gives off a sweet fragrance when it is crushed. The virgins will be persecuted during the first half of the tribulation period, and they will die to their old natures and give off a sweet fragrance to the Lord. The sweet odors are the sweet smelling perfumes that represent the prayers of the saints that are sweet smelling to God Almighty. The other things for purification represent those things of God to cleanse and purify the virgins. All of the virgins refer to those in the Church who have been left behind at the separation, the newly saved Gentiles, and the newly saved 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits.

(Est 2:13 KJV)  Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

These virgins seem to represent the remainder of the Church. The things that each virgin took with her unto the King for Judgment were her works. The things that she desired on the earth were the things that she took with her to be judged. This is a picture of the Judgment Seat of Christ. The “King” here would be Jesus Christ. Note that the name “Ahasuerus is conspicuously absent. The phrase “out of the house of the women” has a figurative meaning of resurrection or translation from the physical body unto another body.  The figurative meaning of “house” is “body”. Please note that it is the things that the virgins desired is what they took in to the King, whereas Esther will later only take what Hegai desired for her to take.

(Est 2:14 KJV)  In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

The word for evening also means night, and it is at night that the Church is taken unto the King for judgment. It is important to note that this is the second house. The second house of the “king” would be those in the Church who are not the bride of Christ. The bride would be in the first house. It is important to note that the name Ahasuerus is still conspicuously absent since the king here has figurative reference to Jesus. It is also important to note that the keeper of “the women” has changed from the Holy Spirit to Shaashgaz, which means “keeper of the beautiful”. This new keeper is a high official of the “King”. Therefore, it could refer to those in the second level of the kingdom of the heavens. This would be the 24 elders who are in very important positions, but they are not in the first house of Jesus Christ since they are not the Bride. A chamberlain is a high official of the king, but it is not his bride. This appears to be a type of the 24 elders. It is important to note that these virgins do not have the intimate access to King Jesus, so that they cannot come in to Him anytime that they wanted. They can only come in to Him when He summons them and calls their name. This appears to portray the lower position in the kingdom of the heavens. These virgins go in first to the king before Esther does, so this is confirmation that these virgins typify the remainder of the Church who are judged before the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are judged.

(Est 2:15 KJV)  Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

It is now Esther’s turn for Judgment, and the name Ahasuerus is still absent, so the king who judges her is Jesus Christ. This is in keeping with literal Scripture, since all judgment has been given to Him. She is the daughter of Abihail, which means “my father is might”, and the word for uncle means beloved of Jesus. The word for daughter also means sister. Thus, Jesus receives the 144,000 and loves them, but He is their close relative, and she is not His bride. This is important. It is significant that when the 144,000 are judged, they bring only what the Holy Spirit has determined for them. Thus, they are very faithful in working in the power of the spirit. This is in contrast to the other virgins who carried what they desired when they went in for judgment. These other virgins are the remainder of the Church, and they are judged before the 144,000.

(Est 2:16 KJV)  So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

After judgment the 144,000 become the wife of God the Father. Note that the name Ahaseurus is again used in conjunction with his title. This shows the figurative meaning has changed back from Jesus Christ to God the Father. Esther becomes the wife of God the Father in the tenth month. Ten is the number of ordinal completion so it is at the full end of the age. The seventh year of His reign is the seventh millennium. The acceptance of the 144,000 into the earthly aspect of the kingdom will take place in the middle of the tribulation period when the 144,000 are sealed. Seven is the number of divine completion and represents the last stage of God’s plan for the earth. Tebeth means goodness, and represents the millennial kingdom when righteousness will prevail over evil. The kingdom will apparently begin in the seventh millennium from creation. Jesus takes over the reign of the earth in the middle of the tribulation period, but he will take 3 ½ years to judge, cleanse and purge the earth of the evil. “Taken” means to be accepted, and “his house royal” refers to the earthly aspect of the kingdom. House also means temple, and the 144,000 will serve in the earthly temple in Jerusalem. This is the temple that Jesus will build and establish as his earthly headquarters.

(Est 2:17 KJV)  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

The 144,000 Jews become the wife and queen of God the Father, and they obtain grace and favor in His sight even more than the Church. The other types in the Old Testament have God loving Israel more than the Church. For example, Elkanah loved Hannah (i.e., Israel) more than Penninah (i.e., the Church) (1 Samuel 1). Also, Jacob loved Rachael (i.e., Israel) more than Leah (i.e., the Church).  

Receiving the crown royal depicts entering the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The Jews (i.e., Vashti) at the time Jesus came the first time failed to enter because of disobedience, but the 144,000 Jews (i.e., Esther) will enter the kingdom because of their faithfulness.

(Est 2:18 KJV)  Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

The great feast is the fulfillment of Tabernacles and represents the millennial kingdom. It is called Esther’s feast since it is a time that Israel will be the supreme and ruling nation upon the earth. The princes represent all of the rulers in the kingdom, whether they be in the heavenly aspect or the earthly aspect of the kingdom. The servants are those who have not attained unto positions of authority in the kingdom, but they are merely subjects in the kingdom. In fact, another meaning of the Hebrew word for servants is subjects.  The Hebrew word for a release means a day of rest orea giving of rest. This is clearly the rest that the Lord has been promising since the beginning. It is the seventh millennium and it is the Sabbath Rest. It will last one thousand years. These gifts that will be given appear to be the lifting of the curse upon the earth. The Hebrew word for gifts is uplifting, and the word for according to the state  means in accordance with the power of the king. The curse on the earth will be removed during the millennium, and nature will once again live in perfect harmony. There will no longer be predators on the earth that kill and destroy. There will no longer be any sickness. Cancer, aids, heart trouble and all diseases will be a thing of the past. Apparently, the only deaths that will take place will be a result of judgment from the Lord. The sin nature will still be present in those who still live in their flesh and blood bodies. Jesus and those who reign with Him will rule with a rod of iron. This means righteousness and law and order will be strictly enforced, so those who will seek the do evil will be destroyed before they carry it out.  

(Est 2:19 KJV)  And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

This verse figuratively takes us back to the time of the second gathering of the virgins. This is the main harvest rapture of the Church, and this is the time that Jesus Christ is crowned as King, and He is given authority over the earth. The phrase “sat in the king’s gate” means He is ruler. In Genesis Lot sat in the gate of Sodom, and this means he was a ruler. He may have even been mayor or the top ruler in Sodom. During the first half of the tribulation between the first gathering of the virgins (i.e., the separation) and the second gathering of the virgins (i.e., the main harvest rapture) Jesus was not yet sitting in the gate. In other words He had not yet been made King over the earth. This verse pinpoints the time that the following verses will address. The first gathering is the five wise virgins, and the second gathering is the five foolish virgins. The first gathering is the faithful and wise servant in Matthew 24:45. The second gathering is the judgment of the three servants in Matthew 25:14-30.

(Est 2:20 KJV)  Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

This verse shows that at the time that the main harvest rapture takes place, the 144,000 will not yet have been identified as Jews. The reason for this is the ten lost tribes of Israel are still hidden in the world as the peculiar treasure hidden in the field. According to this, they will apparently not be identified until after Haman’s (Antichrist’s) plan has been implemented to destroy the Jews.

(Est 2:21 KJV)  In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

“In those days” refers to a past time when Mordecai sat in the king’s gate. This would have to refer back to the time that Jesus presented Himself as King of the Jews. This apparently has reference to Satan and Judas at the time who were officials of God the Father. Satan is and was an official of God over the earth.  The position he is in is God ordained, and he will continue in this capacity until God removes him. Judas was also an official of God the Father serving Jesus Christ as treasurer of the group of disciples. Thus, both were officials of the King, though both were traitors.  Jesus Christ knew that both were traitors, and He is the one who foiled their attempt to overthrow God the Father. He did so by dying on the Cross for the purpose of redeeming the chosen ones and the earth from Satan’s grasp.

(Est 2:22 KJV)  And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.

The story of Jesus’ death on the cross to foil Satan and Judas was told to the 144,000 by Jesus Christ, and the 144,000 received it into their heart in the name of Jesus.

(Est 2:23 KJV)  And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

After Jesus foiled the attempt by Satan and Judas to take over the kingdom by a conspiracy, both Satan and Judas were cursed. To be hanged on a tree means one is cursed. The following Scriptures confirm this:

(Mat 27:5 KJV)  And he (i.e., Judas) cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

(Acts 5:30 KJV)  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

(Est 3:1 KJV)  After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

Haman is a type of Antichrist. After Satan and Judas were cursed, Antichrist was promoted and given unchecked authority upon the earth. He was placed above all of the rulers upon the earth. The ones that are “with him” most likely refer to the ten kings who will rule and reign with him. Please note that the Church Age is skipped over as if it did not take place. The Church Age is simply a parenthesis in God’s dealing with the Jews. Antichrist will be given unchecked authority during the first half of the tribulation period. The name Haman means magnificent one, and Hammedatha means given by the god.  Agagite is probably a synonym for Amalekite, a type of the enemies of God. Thus, Haman becomes the magnificent one given by the god of this world who is the enemy of God’s people.

It is important to know that both Judas Iscariot and Antichrist are both the seed of the Serpent, who is Satan. The seed of the Serpent will greatly wound the heel of the seed of the woman, but the seed of the woman will greatly wound the head of the seed of the serpent. Judas did accomplish the wounding of the heel of Jesus, but Jesus greatly wounded the head of the Antichrist.

(Gen 3:15 KJV)  And I will put enmity between thee (i.e., Satan) and the woman (i.e., Mary, mother of Jesus), and between thy seed (i.e., Judas & Antichrist)  and her seed (i.e., Jesus); it shall bruise thy head (i.e., mortal headwound of Antichrist), and thou shalt bruise his heel (i.e., heel of Jesus smashed against the cross).

(Est 3:2 KJV)  And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

All the king’s servant that are in the king’s gate are all of those who followed Satan in his fall. In spite of the fact that they are fallen, they still occupy positions of authority over the earth, and under God the Father. They will all be subject to Antichrist during his reign in accordance with God’s will. Satan will give all of his authority to Antichrist, so all of those under Satan will be subject to the rule of Antichrist. They are the ones who currently sit in the King’s gate or rule over the earth from the heavens. Of course Jesus Christ will not bow down or reverence Antichrist, just as Mordecai did not bow down or reverence Haman. Jesus is not yet sitting in the gate or reigning over the earth. He is serving in His position as High Priest currently, and He will take his earned position of King over the earth in the middle of the tribulation period.

(Est 3:3 KJV)  Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

The fallen angels who are rulers over the earth and will then be under Antichrist will inquire why Jesus does not bow down to Antichrist.  No answer is given, but the answer is that Jesus is rightful King over the earth, and He will shortly assume His position of King over the whole earth, and throw Antichrist into the Lake of Fire.  Also, as God, Jesus Christ does not bow down and worship anyone, including Satan or Antichrist.  Satan tried this once before in the temptations of Christ but He failed.  Jesus did not worship him then, and He will not worship him during the 42 months that Antichrist will have unchecked authority over the earth.

It must be remembered that it is during this 42 months that Antichrist will be reigning over the earth that Jesus Christ will be posted at the King’s gate checking on how Esther is doing in her purifications.  Jesus will not yet have taken over the rule of the earth.  Jesus will not take over the rule of the earth until the middle of the tribulation period.

(Est 3:4 KJV)  Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

The fallen angels who rule with Antichrist will become painfully aware that Jesus Christ is walking before the Gate, and He will not bow down, pay homage or worship Antichrist.  These leaders will go to Antichrist and tell him that Jesus Christ is not paying him homage, and they will ask if the victory of Christ on the cross will stand up.  After all, Jesus has proclaimed that He is a Jew, and these leaders will know about the plan to totally annihilate the Jews.  If all of the Jews will be destroyed, how can Jesus Christ serve in His position as King of the Jews?  Apparently, the fallen angels under Satan’s authority will be duped to some extent in believing that Satan will have the ultimate victory over Jesus Christ.  Those on the earth will also be duped into believing this since they will actually come out to war against Jesus Christ when He begins to take over the earth.

Another understanding of this prophetic passage is that Antichrist will be received as the Jewish Messiah by the Jews upon the earth, so it would seem to these fallen angels that Jesus Christ as a Jew should also bow down and worship Antichrist as the Jewish  messiah.

(Est 3:5 KJV)  And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

Antichrist will be extremely angry that Jesus Christ, a Jew, does not reverence him.  The majority of Jews upon the earth will believe that Antichrist is their messiah, so they will reverence him.  Jesus Christ knows better so He will not reverence Antichrist.  The 144,000 will still not be known as Jews at this time.  Remember that Esther has not yet revealed that she is a Jew also.

Antichrist will see that Jesus Christ is not reverencing him since the Christians who are left on the earth will not reverence him.  The Christians on the earth in the first half of the tribulation period will be the manifestation of Jesus Christ on the earth.  They will neither bow down nor worship Antichrist, and Antichrist will be extremely angry with them.  During the first half of the tribulation period there will be numerous Christians who will have Christ in them.

(Est 3:6 KJV)  And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Antichrist scorned the death of Jesus Christ as an atonement for sin; therefore, he sought to destroy all of the Jews in the world, who are the elect of God, and the brethren of Jesus Christ.  Antichrist will have a plan to destroy all of the Jews in the world.  The plan will be similar to Hitler’s when he attempted to destroy all of the Jews.  Hitler killed six million Jews, but Antichrist will kill many more than this.  It will come down to the point where the Jews will almost be totally annihilated, but a remnant will be saved in one day when Jesus comes back and sets his feet down on the Mount of Olives.

(Est 3:7 KJV)  In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

This verse confirms that even Antichrist in his reign will still be subject to the will of the Father.  The lot is used to determine what is God’s will.  Antichrist cannot do anything to the Jews without the OK of God the Father.  Antichrist is seeking to destroy the Jews, but it is determined by God that it cannot take place until the 12th month or the end of the year.  This is a picture of the attempt to destroy the Jews occurring at the end of the tribulation period.  Nisan is the first month and means “their flight.”  Adar is the 12th month and means “fire.”  From the time of their flight in the middle of the tribulation period to the time of the trial by fire at the end of the tribulation period, the Jews will be persecuted and killed by Antichrist.  This is confirmed that God allows this persecution in the following two verses.

(Est 3:8 KJV)  And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

Antichrist tells God that a certain people, the Jews, are scattered throughout the world.  He also says that they have different laws than all the people of the world, and they do not obey God the Father.  This is true.  The Jews are still in the Diaspora and they are scattered all over the earth.  They have their own rules and regulations in regard to their religious services, holidays, dress, food and traditions, and they remain separate and apart from the other people of the world.  Also, they do not obey God’s Word. God stated that they are a stiff-necked people.

(Est 3:9 KJV)  If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.

Antichrist is seeking permission to destroy the Jews just as Satan asked to place Job in his hands.  Antichrist even offers his own blood sacrifice to be credited to those who will destroy the Jews, and this sacrifice can be an atonement to God the Father for these people who destroy the Jews.

(Est 3:10 KJV)  And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

God the Father gives Antichrist the authority to do with the Jews whatever he wants to do.

HAMMEDATHA (Ham mih day' thuh) Personal name meaning, "given by the god." Father of Haman, the villain of the Book of Esther (Esther 3:1).  Haman is the son of Satan.  This confirms that Antichrist is the Seed of the Serpent.

The Amalekites were a type of the enemies of God, the sons of Satan.

Old Testament Agag, whose name means "fiery one," was king of the Amalekites, a tribal people living in the Negev and in the Sinai peninsula. The Amalekites had attacked the Israelites in the wilderness and were therefore cursed (Ex. 17:14). In 1 Samuel 15:8, Saul destroyed all the Amalekites but King Agag. Since the Lord had ordered the complete destruction of the Amalekites, Samuel, Saul's priest, rebuked Saul for his disobedience and reported God's rejection of Saul as king. Then Samuel himself executed Agag.

In Numbers 24:7, Agag is used to refer to the Amalekite people. Agag was a common name among Amalekite kings much as Pharaoh among Egyptian rulers.

(Est 3:11 KJV)  And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Silver is a type of blood atonement.  Antichrist has supposedly died of a mortal head wound (Rev. 13), and blood was a predominant characteristic of his “death” just as the shedding of blood was a predominant characteristic of Jesus’ death on the cross.  However, the blood of Antichrist is not sufficient as an atonement for the unsaved, or the Jews.  Therefore, God tells Antichrist to keep his blood sacrifice for himself and the Jews, but he can still do with the Jews whatever he wants to do.  The blood being given to the Jews also pictures their acceptance of Antichrist as their Messiah.  The Jews will be deceived by Antichrist, and they are turned over to Antichrist, who is empowered by Satan, for the last half of the tribulation period.  The time is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble.  The Jews will come to the point of almost being totally annihilated, but a remnant will be saved.

(Est 3:12 KJV)  Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

The writing shows that it is actually decreed or ordained by God the Father that the Jews are placed in the hand of Antichrist to do with them as he chooses.  Thirteen is the number of rebellion, sin and disobedience.  God allows the rebellion and the persecution to take place for the purpose of bringing a remnant of the Jews to the point that they will turn to Jesus Christ when He returns in power and glory.

The lieutenant is the head over a province while the governor is over a city, and the ruler is over a group of people.  These are the Satanic rulers alluded to in the following Scripture:

(Eph 6:12 ASV)  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

These evil rulers are given authority by God the Father to persecute and destroy the Jews.  This confirms the sovereignty of God over all matters, including the fallen angels under Satan’s authority.

(Est 3:13 KJV)  And the letters were sent by posts into all 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, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

The decree to destroy the Jews will go to the whole earth, and all nations at the end of the tribulation period will come against Jerusalem to destroy the Jews.  It will be for a time and place, and it will be called Armageddon.  Before the time comes, as we will see later in Esther, Jesus Christ will come out to fight against Satan and the people of the earth who come against the Jews.  The end result will be the destruction of these people and the destruction of Antichrist at the hand of Jesus Christ.  The 13th day of the 12th month signifies the time when the administration of Satan’s rebellion will be over.  Thirteen is the number of rebellion, and 12 is the number of governmental administration.

(Est 3:14 KJV)  The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

This decree is to all nations that they should come together at Armageddon against Israel.

(Est 3:15 KJV)  The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

The fact that this order was ordained by God hastens the commandment to go out to the whole earth.  This is confirmed by God in the following verse:

(Zec 12:1-3 KJV)  The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. {2} Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. {3} And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

The phrase “the king and Haman sat down to drink” can be perplexing just as Shushan was perplexed.  The word for sat down alludes to the time that Antichrist will sit in the temple and claim to be God, and the word for drink figuratively refers to the drinking cup of God’s wrath.  This is the middle of the tribulation period when both take place.  Antichrist enters and sits in the temple, and the drinking cup of God’s wrath will be poured out upon the whole earth during the last half of the tribulation period.

(Est 4:1 KJV)  When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

This verse states prophetically, “When Jesus Christ revealed Himself to all that was ordained (i.e., the Church,), Jesus rent asunder all treachery and deceit, and the works of worthlessness, and He arrayed His property (i.e., the earth) with ashes, and He went out in the midst of the Antichrist’s dominion (i.e., the city) and cried with a loud outcry the end of the Harlot.”  The word for bitter means “the end of the harlot.”  The harlot represents both ecclesiastical and political Babylon.  It is not until the end of the tribulation period that the political system of Babylon (USA is the headquarters) will be destroyed.  The religious system is destroyed in the middle of the tribulation.  The time of this loud outcry is in the last half of the tribulation after the sixth trumpet (Rev. 10:1-3).

(Est 4:2 KJV)  And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

The king’s gate would be the first heaven or the place that Jesus will come to in order to rapture the church out of the earth.  The king’s gate typifies the kingdom, and sackcloth typifies no works.  Satan currently reigns from the first heaven.  Thus, this verse states prophetically, “and Christ came in the air to the place of administration, but no one will enter into the kingdom without the correct garments.

(Est 4:3 KJV)  And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

And throughout the earth wherever the king’s commandment about the destruction of the Jews came, there was great tribulation and persecution among the Jews.  The fasting, weeping and wailing, and lying in sackcloth is a picture of the time of Jacob’s trouble during the last half of the tribulation period.  The word for wailing means lamentation or very deep sorrow.  Sackcloth represents no good works, and ashes represent worthlessness.

(Est 4:4 KJV)  So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.

(Est 4:5 KJV)  Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

(Est 4:6 KJV)  So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

(Est 4:7 KJV)  And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

(Est 4:8 KJV)  Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

(Est 4:9 KJV)  And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

(Est 4:10 KJV)  Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

(Est 4:11 KJV)  All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

(Est 4:12 KJV)  And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

(Est 4:13 KJV)  Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

(Est 4:14 KJV)  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

(Est 4:15 KJV)  Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

(Est 4:16 KJV)  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

(Est 4:17 KJV)  So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

(Est 5:1 KJV)  Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

(Est 5:2 KJV)  And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

(Est 5:3 KJV)  Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

(Est 5:4 KJV)  And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

(Est 5:5 KJV)  Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

(Est 5:6 KJV)  And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

(Est 5:7 KJV)  Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

(Est 5:8 KJV)  If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

(Est 5:9 KJV)  Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

(Est 5:10 KJV)  Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

(Est 5:11 KJV)  And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

(Est 5:12 KJV)  Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

(Est 5:13 KJV)  Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

(Est 5:14 KJV)  Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

(Est 6:1 KJV)  On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

(Est 6:2 KJV)  And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

(Est 6:3 KJV)  And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

(Est 6:4 KJV)  And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

(Est 6:5 KJV)  And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

(Est 6:6 KJV)  So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

(Est 6:7 KJV)  And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

(Est 6:8 KJV)  Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

(Est 6:9 KJV)  And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

(Est 6:10 KJV)  Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

(Est 6:11 KJV)  Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

(Est 6:12 KJV)  And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

(Est 6:13 KJV)  And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

(Est 6:14 KJV)  And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

(Est 7:1 KJV)  So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

(Est 7:2 KJV)  And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

(Est 7:3 KJV)  Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

(Est 7:4 KJV)  For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

(Est 7:5 KJV)  Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

(Est 7:6 KJV)  And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

(Est 7:7 KJV)  And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

(Est 7:8 KJV)  Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

(Est 7:9 KJV)  And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

(Est 7:10 KJV)  So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

(Est 8:1 KJV)  On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.

(Est 8:2 KJV)  And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

(Est 8:3 KJV)  And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

(Est 8:4 KJV)  Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

(Est 8:5 KJV)  And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

(Est 8:6 KJV)  For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

(Est 8:7 KJV)  Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

(Est 8:8 KJV)  Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

(Est 8:9 KJV)  Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.

(Est 8:10 KJV)  And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

(Est 8:11 KJV)  Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

(Est 8:12 KJV)  Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

(Est 8:13 KJV)  The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

(Est 8:14 KJV)  So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

(Est 8:15 KJV)  And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

(Est 8:16 KJV)  The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

(Est 8:17 KJV)  And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

(Est 9:1 KJV)  Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;

(Est 9:2 KJV)  The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.

(Est 9:3 KJV)  And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

(Est 9:4 KJV)  For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.

(Est 9:5 KJV)  Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.

(Est 9:6 KJV)  And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

(Est 9:7 KJV)  And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

(Est 9:8 KJV)  And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

(Est 9:9 KJV)  And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

(Est 9:10 KJV)  The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

(Est 9:11 KJV)  On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

(Est 9:12 KJV)  And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.

(Est 9:13 KJV)  Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

(Est 9:14 KJV)  And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

(Est 9:15 KJV)  For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.

(Est 9:16 KJV)  But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

(Est 9:17 KJV)  On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

(Est 9:18 KJV)  But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

(Est 9:19 KJV)  Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

(Est 9:20 KJV)  And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

(Est 9:21 KJV)  To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

(Est 9:22 KJV)  As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

(Est 9:23 KJV)  And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

(Est 9:24 KJV)  Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;

(Est 9:25 KJV)  But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

(Est 9:26 KJV)  Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,

(Est 9:27 KJV)  The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

(Est 9:28 KJV)  And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

(Est 9:29 KJV)  Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim

(Est 9:30 KJV)  And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

(Est 9:31 KJV)  To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.

(Est 9:32 KJV)  And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

(Est 10:1 KJV)  And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.

(Est 10:2 KJV)  And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

(Est 10:3 KJV)  For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.