The Euphrates river drying up; a headline we’re seeing more frequently. Looking at this from a surface level, it speaks of the ongoing birth pangs we see around the world. However, this news has also garnered attention from many Christians familiar with bible prophecy for other legitimate reasons as the Euphrates river will play an important role during the tribulation.
Some are saying that the current drying of the Euphrates river is fulfilling bible prophecy, but is this truly the case? What they primarily point to to make this case is Revelation 16:12, a description of the sixth bowl judgment.
Context of the Euphrates River Drying Up
Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)
Although Revelation 16:12 does indeed talk about the Euphrates river drying up, it elaborates this to us in a specific context. First, it takes place during the tribulation period and more specifically towards the end as it’s the second to last bowl judgment. Second, we see that the drying up of the Euphrates at this point in time isn’t caused by natural means such as a rise in temperature or an increase in severity of droughts.
What scripture elaborates to us is that this will be done via the means of a supernatural source – the sixth bowl judgment poured out on the river by an angel, which is ultimately an expression of God’s wrath (Revelation 16:1, 5-7, 9-10). Third, the Bible not only provides the context as to when this will happen but why this happens, “so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared” (Revelation 16:12).
The following verses then detail to us the gathering of the kings of the whole earth to the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-16). Essentially, what this shows us is that the drying up of the Euphrates is connected to the armies of the world readying for this battle (which isn’t a “battle” in any sense of the word). It’s one judgment which sets up another judgment rendered by Christ in-person to overwhelmingly defeat these armies, known as the winepress of the wrath of God (Revelation 19:15, 17-21).
A Proper Understanding of the Prophecy
So is what’s currently occurring to the Euphrates river a fulfilment of the sixth bowl judgment in Revelation 16? No. To say that would not only mean we’re currently in the tribulation, but that all of the seal, trumpet, and majority of bowl judgments have been poured out on mankind, and that 3 demonic spirits have gone out to the “kings of the earth and of the whole world” to the battle of Armageddon in anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming (Revelation 16:13-14, 16).
This simply isn’t the case scripturally nor is it an accurate reflection of what’s currently going on in the world. Many of us understand this, but regardless, this view is cropping up here and there and due to that, I believe it’s important to address to prevent confusion.
Does this mean that the news concerning the Euphrates river drying up has no significance? Not at all. What we’re witnessing now, along with a plethora of other signs, is a shadow of what’s to come during the tribulation. Aside from Revelation 16, we also see the significance of the Euphrates river during the tribulation in Revelation 9 with the sixth trumpet judgment which I elaborate on in this article.
Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. (Revelation 9:13-19)
What we see from scripture starting in Genesis is a focus on the Middle East in the beginning and in Revelation the focus is brought right back to that region of the earth. It’s clear to us that the Euphrates river drying up is significant due to the yet to be fulfilled prophecies concerning it so it’s not necessary to force a fulfillment upon it. There’s a specific context in which it will eventually take place, but it’s not now.
What this should show us instead is that when we consider this along with the many prophetic signs converging on our time, it acts as a marker of where we are prophetically which should strengthen our faith in God’s Word and excite us as our blessed hope draws near.
Other articles in this series:
- What is the Prophetic Significance of the Third Temple?
- What is the Prophetic Significance of Digital Currency?
- What is the Prophetic Significance of the Abraham Accords?
Other Prophecy Questions:
What about Isaiah 11:15, a reference to the Lord drying up the Euphrates in “that day” (11:11)? Reference to “that day” typically refers to the last day, or days. Isaiah 11:11-16 seem to be an end time prophecy we are witnessing today. Maranatha!
Hi Phil! Thank you for your comment and I appreciate you reading through the article. I read Isaiah 11:11-16 several times but did not see a reference to the Euphrates river. The chapter as a whole deals with the millennial reign of Christ and I would also say the end of the tribulation period (inferred through God regathering the Jews from all over the world for example) but no references to the Euphrates. Perhaps you had another passage in mind?
Interesting… I hadn’t thought of this passage in light of the millennial reign but that makes sense. Verse 15 (NIV) references the Euphrates… Not sure what other translations say? I know we are not yet in the millennial reign but could the Lord be preparing the Euphrates for the Great Day and His 1,000 reign?
The LORD will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea; with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams so that anyone can cross over in sandals.
Ah, that’s really interesting. So most other translations (i.e. NKJV, ESV, NASB, etc) just note “the river” and dont mention the Euphrates by name unlike the NIV. I wonder why that is. Well, in light of this, I would still say what verse 15 is describing takes place at a specific time, being the Lord’s second coming. “In that day” is often a reference to either the tribulation period or the second coming of Christ and not the last days in general. So this verse would actually work well with the point I’m making that the drying of the Euphrates as prophesied in scripture occurs at a specific time in the future. So I still wouldn’t say what’s occurring now is a fulfillment of Isaiah 11:15 (or Revelation 16).
Very good. Thank you so much Ayo. We live in exciting times as every day we get closer to Jesus’ return. Maranatha!
When you put all the accounts and events the Euphrates drying up matches perfectly with the bible reference to end time events. Let put in context that the bible mentions a number 200 million man army this is a huge footprint of evidence , the fbi announced two years ago that china has a military this large the only one in the world and there East of Israel when they cross the river this will be the begining of Armageddon because there intent is to destroy Israel, God will not allow it to happen.
Hi Richard. Thanks for reading and I also appreciate your comment. I believe you’re making the case then that the prophecy concerning the Euphrates river in Revelation 16 is being fulfilled (let me know if I misunderstood what you were saying)? I think I’ve made it clear in the article as to why I don’t think there’s a scriptural case one can make for that at this current time we’re living in. And regarding the 200 million army you mentioned, I believe that’s a supernatural army of some kind (perhaps demonic). Often times people lump the the 6th trumpet judgment in Revelation 9:13-21 with the 6th bowl judgment in Revelation 16:12-16 and I just don’t see the relation or the interpretational justification to do so. I wrote about my views on this in this article: https://himitsustudy.com/2020/02/23/study-of-revelation-the-sixth-trumpet/
Phil, if you read the preceding passages of Revelation, and you also read Matt 24 and Mark 13, you will find that the drying up of the Euphrates river by an angel happens AFTER the tribulation period, and happens instead during the Wrath of God – which begins right after Jesus gathers His people from the Earth.
What’s happening to the river currently is not the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Actually, although I agree with you RoEI on the fact that the prophecy regarding the drying of the Euphrates as we read in Revelation 16:12-14 isn’t happening today, I respectfully disagree with you that it’s something that takes place *after* the tribulation. The drying of the Euphrates is the 6th bowl judgment. The 7 seal, 7 trumpet, and 7 bowl judgments all occur within the confines of the tribulation. And the tribulation period is all the wrath of God. What leads you to believe that the 6th bowl judgment occurs after the tribulation?
I believe that this is prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes. You probably don’t agree with the book of 2 Baruk which states that,
“And in the twelfth part confusion from the mingling together of all those things aforesaid. For these parts of that time are reserved, and shall be mingled one with another and minister one to another. For some shall leave out some of their own, and receive in its stead from others, and some complete their own and that of others,
so that those may not understand who are upon the earth in those days that this is the consummation of the times.
BARUK SHENIY (2 BARUK) 27:13-15 את CEPHER
This is sooo significant to say the least. One must recognize at what times we are in.
Hello K! Thank you for reading through the article and leaving a message. I don’t adhere to Baruk as it’s non-canon. Although I understand you disagree with my position, in what ways scripturally would you disagree? Is there anything else in God’s word that leads you to believe this is currently being fulfilled?
THANK YOU for clarifying this for people. I keep trying to tell people that the period during which the Euphrates is deliberately dried up by an Angel following a commandment actually happens during what is the Wrath of God period, and that CURRENTLY this is not the fulfillment of that prophecy – which actually according to Scripture is not the tribulation period, it is the Wrath of God which comes AFTER the tribulation and right after Jesus returns to gather His people.
Happy to see that you agree as well! I’m just doing my best to stay faithful to what the text says. I believe sometimes we may get a bit too excited in the bible prophecy community and misinterpret things.
A question for you though would be what you mean by “wrath of God period”? Do you not see that as the tribulation?
Well, I concede on this matter in humility. It would seem I was one of those misunderstanding, which is ironic, because I’ve been compelled to inform people by the Helper, myself, about prophetic misinterpretations; namely, this crazed idea that the COVID-19 vaccine is the beast’s mark.
(I’m in no way suggesting anyone receive it, nor am I saying it’s an actual “vaccine,” at all; but it literally can’t be said mark.)
In any event, it just goes to show the LORD does things His own way, and it’s perfect. Everyone receives something in the body of Christ, and we come together as siblings to share.
Amen!
Well said
Who is the two hundred million army in Revelation nineteen chapter
Hello Cleveland! Thank you for your question. So first, we actually see mention of this army in Revelation 9 not 19. I believe the 200 million army is a demonic army. I wrote about my views on this in this article: https://himitsustudy.com/2020/02/23/study-of-revelation-the-sixth-trumpet/
Some people however believe this army to be 200 million human men. I dont agree with this view but I wrote about it here: https://himitsustudy.com/2020/05/11/study-of-revelation-the-sixth-trumpet-kings-of-the-east/ I hope this helps!
Probably the army at Ezekiel 38.
I appreciate this article for its clear-headed explanation that the present-day drying up of the Euphrates is not a fulfillment of prophecy.
Yet he veers off the truth when he says that the Sixth Bowl Judgment is during the “tribulation.” It is NOT!
The Sixth Bowl Judgment occurs during the DAY OF THE LORD, when God pronounces Judgement upon the earth.
This occurs after the Great Tribulation, after the Sixth Seal of the Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, after the rapture of the Church (which occurs between the Sixth Seal and the Seventh Seal.
The Seventh Seal is the DAY OF THE LORD — and the judgements against the world.
When Isaiah speaks about the drying up of the Euphrates, it speaks about THE DAY — the Day is the DAY OF THE LORD. Hope that helps.
Wow, this commentary is far removed from reality and inputs so much human ‘wisdom’ it’s scary. Pride goes before the fall and you seem very full of it.
Hi. What parts of the article lead you to believe that it’s “far removed from reality” and that my pride was fueling this in some way? Do you think I misinterpreted parts of scripture which therefore led me to the incorrect conclusion?
Thank you for clearing everything up. I am a young Christian who doesn’t know much about the Bible or God. And when I heard about the Euphrates river drying up I was scared. And I wanted to ask, is it bad that I was scared that the end days could be coming near? Of course I know Jesus could come back any day he wants and we don’t know it.
Hello Trent! Thank you for taking time to read the article and I’m glad that it was a blessing to you! Thank God. I would say that if you find yourself scared about the last days, ask yourself, what specifically about it are you scared about? As a fellow believer you have a lot to look forward to. If you’re interested in learning more about what we as believers have to look forward to check out this article: https://himitsustudy.com/2022/05/01/beyond-the-blessed-hope/. If you have any further questions, email me, or reach out to me on my social media pages.
Alright thank you. You don’t have to respond again if you don’t want to but, I guess I’m scared because I feel like I’m not ready, if that makes sense. I have accepted that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but I feel like I’m doubting myself whether or not I truly believe that. How do I know that I believe he died on the cross?
I understand what you mean Trent. I’d say that the fact that you’re worried at all shows that you’re saved. You’ve made it clear that you’ve put your trust in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Let me ask you this, if you weren’t saved, would you be worried about it? Now, in terms of a biblical response there are many places we can go to in scripture that speaks to our assurance of salvation. If you have truly placed your faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross as you said Trent, then look to Christ for your assurance. If you can trust that He died for your sins, then you can trust that His atoning work is enough for you. Whenever you may find yourself in a place of doubt, remind yourself to take your eyes off of you and put them onto Christ who we can trust completely. Once He’s given us eternal life, we can trust in the fact that we have it forever. Here are some passages I encourage you to read that speaks to assurance of salvation: John 5:24; 6:35-40; 10:7-10; 27-30; 1 John 5:12-13.
I would like to reply to that because i am confused:
So hearing about this river drying up made me anxious, i was raised christian but because of alot of reasons i turned atheist.
Mainly:
-i cant believe someone so powerfull would create a place (hell) so horrible that makes the people he created suffer for eternity,
Its kids playing “god” with ants, the ants cant do anything, the kid just picks them out randomly and kills them.
Just like god picks the humans that go to heaven and to hell, and as far as i heared, the vast majority of the people will end up in hell.
-then there is all the science.
There is so much evidence against the flood, for examples kangeroes, they are only in austria and from the location the ark was its impossible that kangeroes went to Australia. Then there is the amount of species that exist vs the amount on the ark.
There are so many apecies now that it means about 11 new species had to be on earth each day since the flood.
Then there is the dinosaurs which are all scientifically measured at millions of years old, and if they only were 6 thousand years old. That difference would be so big its nearly impossible sceinists are that far off with nowadays technology.
But i am still anxious for the end of times because what if its real? Then i am doomed, and with the way i think and clearly “know/tell myself” that god doesnt exist there is no way i would go to heaven, because i know that i will never accepts it because i mentally cant.
Thank you so much for this informative massage that gives me clear insight on what’s happening in those prophetic sites and relate to Bible prophesies and interpretation to make us get prepared to face these imminent dangerous situation as lead up events to the second coming of the Kind, almighty God.
The fifth trumpet of God sounded during operation Desert Storm when the oil wells where lit ablaze in ancient Babylon. They were demons released from the abyss also known as the bottomless pit with a sting and scor pions in their tails. Stung. I was a witness to the fifth trumpet of God.
Now you should understand why the great Euphrates River is drying up in preparation of the six trumpet of God.
here are the trumpets as they have sounded.
Endtime Ministries | The Endtime Show
Revelation: The Seven Trumpets and When They Shall Sound
April 4, 2014
Five of the seven trumpets that signify the end of the age have come to pass. With only two left to occur, we must look to the Bible to understand what to expect.
The Bible indicates in Revelation that seven trumpets will sound before the end of the age and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Five of the seven have already sounded as evidenced by critical moments in recent history, and a third world war, which is the triggering event of the sixth trumpet, may have already begun. Our understanding of Biblical prophecies and the events that have already come to pass, will guide us in what to expect when the final two trumpets sound.
The First Two Trumpets
In Revelation 8:7, John describes an apocalyptic vision. His vision explains the triggering event of the sounding of the first trumpet — hail and fire mixed with blood falling to the ground, and approximately 33% of all of the grass and trees in the known world destroyed.
During World War I, large amounts of artillery shells and chemical agents were released on troops for the first time in history through modern warfare, killing over 8 million people. Soldiers on both sides burned vast tracts of land in order to eliminate any natural or man-made items that their enemies could use.
Another war, World War II is also the event that was triggered by the sounding of the second trumpet. Looking to Revelation 8:8-9, the Bible explains that a third of the ships involved in the conflict that coincides with the activation of this trumpet will be destroyed. During World War II, approximately one third of the ships that participated in the conflict were sunk. In turn, the nuclear bomb deployed at Hiroshima resembled “something like a great mountain burning with fire,” a sight that was new on the world stage.
The Third Trumpet
In a podcast discussing the seven trumpets, Irvin Baxter told listeners of his understanding of the sounding of the third trumpet, which occurred during the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. In Revelation 8:10-11, the prophet explains that the third trumpet will sound before a star, called Wormwood, will fall and affect a third of the waters.
In 1995, God prompted Irvin to research the Chernobyl disaster that occurred in the Ukraine in 1986, whereupon he learned that “Chernobyl” means “Wormwood” in Russian. Furthermore, the nuclear radiation that emanated from the destroyed power plant contaminated more than 33 percent of the water supply in Europe and Western Asia, killing thousands and affecting hundreds of thousands of other citizens with diseases caused by the radiation.
The Fourth Event
Revelation 8:12-13 explains that the fourth trumpet would sound before the length of the days become shortened, and the sun would not shine for a third of the day. Therefore, time will be shortened and our days around the world will be experienced differently. After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, a “new world order” with a new age of globalization began to develop. President Ronald Reagan challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!” and 29 months later the fourth trumpet sounded.
The Fifth Instrument
According to prophecy, the fifth trumpet will sound before a bottomless pit of fire causes a massive amount of smoke to block the light of the sun. During the Gulf War, Iraqi soldiers ignited over 700 oil wells around the deserts of Kuwait, which were some of the largest, underground wells of oil on the planet. From the seemingly bottomless hole in the ground, smoke entered the atmosphere and blocked sunlight for three months. With Suddam Hussein as their president, whose name means “Destroyer” or “Abaddon” in Hebrew as described in Revelation 9:11, Iraqi soldiers incited a battle with the United Nations in the Middle East, an area still under turmoil.
The Sixth Trumpet
This second-to-last trumpet will sound before a war is started near the Euphrates River. This waterway traverses Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran, which comprise the Middle East. Revelation 9:13-21 indicates that four angels will command an army of 200 million individuals.
With a population of more than 1 billion people, China is able to field an army that consists of more than 200 million soldiers, and in addition, countries united under the Islamic faith have the ability to create an army of the same size. When a new world-dominating government is established under the Antichrist, an event coming very soon, we will be in the midst of a great war that will see the Abomination of Desolation and the Great Tribulation.
The Final Trumpet
The sounding of the seventh trumpet will be the most dynamic event out of all the trumpets prophesied in the Bible, affecting all human beings. It is at this last trumpet that Jesus Christ will send angels to rapture all saints for their eternal reward and pass his judgments on the fate of the earth’s inhabitants. This event also marks the end of human government and the establishment of the Kingdom of God, on earth, for the next one thousand years.
At this time, the end time, all of what the Bible has prophesied will come to pass and prove the power of God’s will. To learn about what the Bible teaches and how to understand the end time, join us during our regular television and radio broadcasts. For more information about the seven trumpets, purchase your own copy of The 7 Trumpets DVD from our Understanding the Endtime Series.
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Hi Charles! I appreciate your comment, but I disagree. For the trumpets to sound, we’d need to be in the tribulation which we’re not. I believe with a proper understanding of scripture as well as properly understanding the context in which the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments take place, we should come to the conclusion that those are yet future events.
not at all. The great tribulation doesn’t start until after the sixth trumpet sounds and the Beast is released from the abyss also known as the bottomless pit. The beast is a spiritual entity a demonic entity. You should know what the abyss bottomless pit are by now. when God puts a puzzle together for you you need to understand it.
Actually, Jesus Himself makes it clear when the great tribulation starts, at the midpoint of the tribulation, when the Abomination of Desolation occurs (Matthew 24:15-21). We don’t know the exact timing of the 6th trumpet, but even if we did, nothing from scripture indicates that the great tribulation’s start is dependent on any of those judgments. Also, the “beast” or the Antichrist is a man, not a spiritual entity. Many passages in scripture makes this clear to us such as 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 describes him as a “man” and uses the pronoun “him”. Revelation 13 also continually uses the pronouns “him”. We see the same thing in Daniel 7 in reference to the “little horn”. Specifically verse 8 even tells us the horn has “eyes of a man” expressing his humanity. It would also make sense that he’s a man because he’s represented as a horn which in the context, the other horns are kings/kingdoms not just ambiguous spiritual entities. With that being said, I do believe it’s worth digging into as to what it could entail for him to be said to come from the abyss.