The Superhighway of the Millennial Kingdom

Over the course of the last 12 months, we are repeatedly hearing that Israel’s actions in the Middle East are changing the balance of power in real-time.  From their military prowess to their statesmanship and robust economy, Israel’s actions are leading other Middle Eastern powers to become either impressed or incensed with the seismic changes occurring in the region.  But while radical changes are still yet future (in the form of the Tribulation Period) I am always reminded to look even further into the future in order to see what awaits the Middle East when Jesus returns to rule and reign.  Although the Bible speaks about the future of multiple nations, the focus of this article will be the nation of Egypt.  In Isaiah chapter 19, verses 1-15 speak of destruction for Egypt whereas verses 16-25 speak of deliverance for Egypt.

In Isaiah 19:18 we read: In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction.  In contrast to Isaiah’s day when Judah was considering turning to Egypt for assistance, in the future Millennial Kingdom Egypt will recognise Israel as the dominant force in the world (Deuteronomy 28:13).  In fact, such will be their reverence for God and their respect for the Jewish nation, the future Egyptians will willingly learn Hebrew (the language of Canaan).  One of the named cities which will follow this practice is called the City of Destruction.  Though there has been much debate over the meaning of this name, it is best viewed from how it is recorded in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Vulgate, namely the City of the Sun—Heliopolis.  Therefore, although this city was once dedicated to the idolatrous worship of the Sun-god, it will be fully dedicated to the worship of the LORD of hosts in the future Kingdom.

As evidence of their future commitment to the worship of God, Isaiah 19:19 speaks of them erecting an altar and a pillar: In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border.  Altars were built in order to express gratitude and commitment to God.  For example, Joshua built an altar to the Lord on Mount Ebal as a place of worship and witness (Joshua 8:30–31).  Similarly, a pillar was often erected to memorialise a certain event.  Jacob erected a pillar when he memorialised God's covenant to him (Genesis 28:22). 

Isaiah then mentions something which would have been unthinkable in his day.  Israel, Egypt and Assyria, all former enemies, would be at peace and worship the God of Israel together.  Isaiah 19:23-25: In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.  In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” 

There was an ancient and famous highway which came to be popularly known as Via Maris (Latin for “Way of the Sea”).  The Via Maris ran from Heliopolis (Egypt) to Damascus (Syria), stopping by the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea along the way. While not as long as other trade routes of its time, the Via Maris’s centrally located path linked Egypt, Syria, Israel, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and other early regions of the Middle East.  Like important shipping lanes of the modern era, the Via Maris was vitally important for the distribution of highly desired commodities such as ceramics, perfumes, precious metals, silk, spices and textiles.  But the road also functioned as a crucial artery for the flow of military forces between empires.

For many years empires to the north and south of Israel used the Via Maris to transit weapons, warfare and wares.  But in the Millennial Kingdom, all they will be interested in carrying with them is worship (Zechariah 14:16).  Such will be the beauty of God’s relationship with Egypt in that future day that He even applies one of His favourite terms for Israel to Egypt: “My people”.  Assyria is treated similarly and known as “the work of My hands”, another term often applied to Israel.  Of course, that is not to say that Egypt and Assyria will hold a superior position to Israel in the Kingdom.  God still reserves a unique and special name for His chosen nation: “My inheritance”. 

Although the Middle East is currently engulfed in war, the superhighway of Isaiah 19 reminds us that in that future time when Jesus rules and reigns as King from Jerusalem, not only will Jew and Arab peacefully co-exist, but they will also worship the true and living God together.  This is a powerful reminder of the sovereign work of God who alone has the power to transform regions of despair into places of worship, honour and praise.  Although the Western world currently likes to speak about normalisation between Israel and Arab countries in this age, true normalisation will only come when all nations recognise that the God of Israel is the true and living God.