For Such a Time as This: Esther and God’s Remnant in the Last Days

 

“For Such a Time as This: God’s Remnant in the Last Days”

Scripture Readings:

• Esther 3:1–14

• Revelation 12:14–17

• Revelation 13:15

There is a profound and sobering parallel between the ancient story of Esther and the prophetic visions of Revelation. Although separated by centuries, both deal with a faithful people, targeted for destruction, yet preserved by God’s providence. In both cases, a remnant is under attack—because they are different, because they are loyal to God, and because they refuse to compromise.

The Ancient Decree of Death (Esther 3:1–14)

In Esther 3, we meet Haman, a man elevated by King Xerxes, who becomes infuriated because Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow down to him. Haman doesn’t just seek revenge on Mordecai—he manipulates the king into passing a law that will annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire.

Note Haman’s words in Esther 3:8:

“There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people...”

Haman’s accusation is essentially this: These people don’t fit in. They are different. They obey a higher law. Therefore, they are a threat.

The End-Time Attack (Revelation 12:14–17)

Fast forward to Revelation, and we hear of a woman—symbolic of God’s faithful church—fleeing into the wilderness from the dragon, Satan himself. Revelation 12:17 says:

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commandments and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

Just like in Esther, there is a certain people—different from the rest of the world. They are identified not by ethnicity but by character and faith. They obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

Satan, like Haman, is not content to let them live. He is furious. He wants to wipe them out.

Forced Worship and Persecution (Revelation 13:15)

Revelation 13:15 speaks of an image of the beast that is given breath:

“The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.”

Here we see the ultimate end-time decree—death to all who will not conform. Like Mordecai, the faithful will not bow. Like the Jews of Esther’s day, the remnant are marked for destruction because they stand firm in their convictions.

Parallels Between Haman and the Beast Power

1. Targeting God’s People:

   • Haman seeks to destroy all Jews (Esther 3:6).

   • The beast seeks to destroy all commandment-keepers (Rev. 12:17).

2. Accusations of Difference:

   • Haman says “their laws are different.”

   • The end-time remnant keep commandments most ignore.

3. Legal Decree of Death:

   • Haman secures a royal edict to kill.

   • The beast power enforces death on all who will not worship.

4. Worldwide Scope:

   • Haman’s decree covers 127 provinces.

   • Revelation describes global enforcement (Rev. 13:7–8, 15).

5. God’s Deliverance:

   • In Esther, God works through Esther and Mordecai to save His people.

   • In Revelation, God protects His remnant with “two wings of a great eagle” (Rev. 12:14) and ultimately gives them victory.

Lessons for Today

 God Has a Remnant:
Throughout Scripture, God has always preserved a faithful people. In the end, that remnant is clearly identified—not by denomination, race, or nationality, but by loyalty to God's commandments and faith in Jesus (Rev. 14:12).

 Loyalty to God Will Bring Opposition:
Just as Mordecai's refusal to bow made him a target, so in the last days, faithfulness will put us at odds with the world. The easy path is compromise—but the narrow path leads to life.

 God Is Still in Control:
In Esther, God is never mentioned by name, yet His hand is everywhere. Similarly, in the chaos of the last days, God is not absent. He is preparing His people, orchestrating events, and ultimately bringing deliverance.

 We Are Called for Such a Time as This:
Esther had to risk everything to intercede for her people. So must we be willing to stand boldly, intercede for the lost, and trust God's timing and power.

The echoes between Esther and Revelation are not coincidental—they are prophetic patterns. Satan’s war against God’s people is age-old, but so is God’s faithfulness to preserve them. The remnant may be small, scattered, and opposed—but they are never abandoned.

Like Mordecai, we must not bow. Like Esther, we must rise. Like the remnant in Revelation, we must keep God’s commandments and cling to Jesus.

And the good news? The story ends not in death but in victory.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

Call to Commitment

Will you be part of that remnant? Will you remain faithful even when pressured to bow? Will you stand for God—for such a time as this?

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi