A perverse spirit in Egypt.

The Arab Spring brought great hope as it swept through the Middle East, but something has changed. In recent months, increasing Egyptian lawlessness has included public lynchings (BBC, March 18, 2013), gang violence and public rape blamed entirely on women (Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 30, 2013; Agence France-Presse, March 29, 2013)—events seldom seen during the Mubarak regime.

In a recent interview, a former PLO operative who has since renounced his terrorist ways, reported on a recent celebration at an Egyptian wedding, where “a group of men in a frenzy tear apart a live chicken by hand, then scrabble over its pieces to eat its raw flesh” (WorldNetDaily, April 22, 2013). Walid Shoebet (the interviewee) suggested the behaviour at the wedding “demonstrates the ‘demonic’ spirit that has gripped the nation since its 2011 Islamic revolution” (ibid.). Many are starting to long for a strong ruler who will again enforce the law as Hosni Mubarak did, and bring back a time when “no one dared to do such things” (ibid.).

Reports of Egyptian anarchy reflect a Bible prophecy:  “The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; and they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit” (Isaiah 19:14).

As sobering as these events may be, we know that with Christ’s return, Egypt will face a brighter future. “In that day Israel shall 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’” (Isaiah 19:24-25). For more information, review our booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy.