Est 1:1-12 The Feast Held in Shushan

[Study Posted June 12, 2020]

Est 1:1  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:) 
Est 1:2  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 
Est 1:3  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: 
Est 1:4  When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. 
Est 1:5  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; 
Est 1:6  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. 
Est 1:7  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. 
Est 1:8  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. 
Est 1:9  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 
Est 1:10  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, 
Est 1:11  To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 
Est 1:12  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. 

In the spiritual context, the book of Esther shows how, through God’s mercy, the elect (represented by Esther) are replacing the many called (represented by Queen Vashti) in every generation as given to us in Romans 11:30–31 and how we are being prepared to become the bride of Christ. It is also a record of the superintending care of divine providence over His chosen people (the elect). The book gives details of how God raises a storm to bring us to our wits’ ends and then causes us to cry to him for deliverance and finally brings us to our safe haven (Psalm 107:25–30). Although God’s name is rarely mentioned in this book, the presence of God is felt throughout the book, and it shows how our God is a God who hides Himself (Isaiah 45:15), and yet he is a God who is nearer to us than we can imagine (Acts 17:27). With this in mind, let’s start our feast by journeying through the book of Esther.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Psa 107:25  For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
Psa 107:26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 
Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 

Isa 45:15  Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Est 1:1  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:)
Est 1:2  That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Est 1:3  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: 
Est 1:4  When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

The book of Esther starts with Ahasuerus (Xerxes), King of Persia, holding a feast in Shushan for his nobles, officials and his military leaders of all his provinces. The name Ahasuerus means a mighty man. In the spiritual dimension, he represents God. The name Shushan means Lily. In the bible, the elect is referred to as lily (Hosea 14:5). As indicated in verse 2 where the King sat on his throne in Shushan, it shows that the throne of God is in the elect’s heavens (hearts and minds), so that is where the feast is being held. Feast is about eating and drinking, and it represents how God is enlightening our understanding of the word of God to know Him. Remember that eternal life is all about getting to know God and Jesus (John 17:3), so feasting is equivalent to being given eternal life. This feast represents a period in our lives that our heavens are opened resulting in Jesus being unveiled to us.

Now this feast is being held for only the nobles, officials and the military leaders.  These top rank executives are the elect in every generation who feast on the word of God. This whole feast is to help us appreciate the vastness and the greatness of the King’s kingdom (verse 4).  Paul puts it this way: That our eyes of understanding will be enlightened and that we may know the hope of his calling and what the riches of his glory of his inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe (Eph 1:17–23).

Hos 14:5  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 
Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 
Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 
Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 
Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

This feast happened in the third year of the reign of King Ahasuerus. This implies that the feasting (our eyes being enlightened through his words) is our process of spiritual completion through judgment. What this means is that while we are feasting, we are being judged by the fiery words of the Lord. The feast lasted for 180 days. 180 days X 7 is equal to 1260 days, which represents the days that the two witnesses in the book of Revelation prophesied. What this means is that the 180 days represents a certain period in the lives of the elect that our heavens (hearts and minds) are opened to receive the revelation of Christ is completed. In other words, our understanding of the mystery of God is completed.

It is no coincidence that 180 days is 1/7th of the 1260 days of the witness of the two witnesses. Being at the very beginning of the book of Esther demonstrates that this 180 day feast is but the white horse of the six seals of the book  of the revelation of Jesus Christ in His bride. The rest of the book of Esther, and all the trials of the Jews are nothing more than the opening of the other six seals, with the seven trumpets and seven vials which are the seventh seal.

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

Est 1:5  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; 

This feast will also be held for the whole of the human race for a period of seven days representing the lake-of-fire age (from the second resurrection to the end of the lake of fire). The elect are the first to feast, but that is not the end. The fact that there are those who trusted in God first means there are others to follow. The whole of the human race will also have their feast through the agency of Christ and His Christs. That is the salvation of the human race depicted in several places in the scriptures.

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

2Sa 14:14  For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 
1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

The next three verses talk about details of this feast.

Est 1:6  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. 
Est 1:7  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. 
Est 1:8  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. 

This feast is associated with the following colors: white, green, blue, purple, red and black. In the Old Testament, the door of the tent of the tabernacle had the colors blue, purple and scarlet.  These colors together signify part of our walk as we enter through the veil into the presence of God where we are feed by His fiery words resulting in us being clothed with white linen, signifying the righteousness of the saints (Refer to studies on colors on iswasandwillbe website). The colors of the feast also signify that the feast is targeted towards those in whom God’s spirit is working the process of going from red to blue, that is, from the first to the last Adam.

We are the vessels of gold into which the drinks are poured. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is being tried with fire as we feast.  This will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed in us. These vessels are diverse one from another. Yes, we are many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. Out of the abundance of the King, we have all received grace for grace!! During this period of the feast, we begin to see the abundant provision our God has made available to us through his precious promises.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 

Joh 1:16   From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (NLT) 

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

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

As the elect are feasting, the children of the harlot woman (represented by Vashti) are also feasting. In the case of the elect, this feast brings light to the elect, as we are admonished to pay heed to this sure word of prophecy, which is light shining in darkness until the day star (Jesus) rises in our heart. Regarding the children of Christendom (Vashti), though they are also feasting, the feast is not helping them because the pillar of cloud (Jesus) is seen as a cloud and darkness instead of light. They therefore cannot hear the words of the savior, and so His words have no place in their hearts. The result of this is disobedience as seen in Vashti’s refusal to heed the King’s command. That is where we were sometime back in the past, and it is all of the Lord’s doing as we will see later!!

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

Exo 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 
Exo 13:22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 

Exo 14:19  And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 
Exo 14:20  And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 

Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Est 1:10  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, 
Est 1:11  To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. 

The seven chamberlains represent the elect from every generation who speak the fiery words. Verse 11 makes us aware of the task of the elect – that is to show Vashti’s beauty to the people and princes present.  That is the task of Jesus – to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.  That is also our marching orders as Jesus is also sending us.

As it is, unless we are shown our transgression, we will always think that we are feasting with the king even as Vashti was feasting thinking that she was pleasing the king. However, one day our disobedience will be obvious as the king will call us to come and show our beauty, and that is when we will be found wanting on the day every man’s work shall be made manifest!!

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 
Isa 58:2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Est 1:12  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.

Vashti refused to obey the King’s command and therefore incurred the wrath of the King. We all, in our appointed times, have refused the King’s commands and were/are under the wrath of God.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

ESTHER 1:13 – 22: THEY SHALL DESPISE THEIR HUSBANDS IN THEIR EYES

Est 1:13 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:
Est 1:14 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;) 
Est 1:15 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? 
Est 1:16  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. 
Est 1:17 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. 
Est 1:18  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. 
Est 1:19  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. 
Est 1:20  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. 
Est 1:21  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: 
Est 1:22  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. 

The last session ended with Vashti refusing to obey the King’s command. In our own appointed times, we have disobeyed our Lord Jesus. However, this is all part of the process of coming to know Christ. This disobedience by Vashti prompted the King to speak to his wise men who knew the times.

Est 1:13  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: 
Est 1:14  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;)

The wise men here represent God’s elect in every generation who knew the times. Knowing the times as explained here in verse 13 means knowing His law and judgment. That means understanding His words or being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom or having the mind of the Lord. Although knowing His law includes knowing His judgment, judgment is specifically separated here for emphasis. His judgments in our lives are what qualifies us to become his children of righteousness. This is because when his judgments are on our lives (earth), that is when we learn righteousness.  It is therefore imperative that those who are being chosen understand the significance of His judgment in our lives and the fact that we are first to be judged. Verse 13 also talks about the King’s manner toward the elect. The question is: “What is the King’s manner here?” The King’s manner here is that God will do nothing unless He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets (us).

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

The seven princes of Persia, whose names are mentioned in verse 14, are the elect in every generation. Verse 14 gives us two characteristics of the elect – they see the King’s face, and they are first in the kingdom. In the Book of Revelation, the seven angels stand before God.  These seven angels are the same as the angels of the seven churches which are represented by the seven stars.  These stars are the elect. Since Jesus is on His father’s throne holding the seven stars in his right hand, the elect are therefore always before the King. In other words, they see the King’s face. The elect are also the first in the kingdom, because they were the first to trust in Christ. What this means is that there are others who will trust in Christ later.

Rev 8:2  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

Est 1:15  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?
Est 1:16  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.
Est 1:17  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.
Est 1:18  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.

These verses focus on the discussion of the ramifications of Vashti’s (our) disobedience.  Verse 17 shows how we all have despised our husband, Jesus, in our appointed times by disobeying Him. This disobedience is the result of our flawed nature as our desire is against our husband, just as Eve was told when she disobeyed. The disobedience we experienced is all part of the process of knowing Christ as it gives Jesus the occasion to come into our lives to judge us so that we can enter into the temple to worship Him and be ruled by our husband, Jesus. For those who are not destined to overcome in this life, this disobedience is used by the Lord to replace them with the elect as we will see as the story unfolds.

Gen 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to (against) thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these (Vashti and her children) also now not believed, that through your mercy they (Vashti and her children) also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Est 1:19  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. 

The consequence of Vashti’s action is that she will not see the King again and that her royal estate will be given to another (replaced by the elect). The question is: What does it mean to be denied the presence of the King (Christ)? Not coming before the King is like being abandoned, just like Israel (Vashti) being neglected as a vineyard by the owner (Christ) for bearing bad fruits in Isaiah 5. In the New Testament, it means being cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. From verse 6 of Isaiah Chapter 5, we get the idea of what it means to see the King no more:

• We will lay waste (We will not be used by our master)
• We will not be pruned nor digged (Judgment shall not begin in our house in this age)
• There shall come up briers and thorns (We will subscribe to false doctrines and lies prevailing in Babylon)
• The Lord will not command the clouds (His elect) to rain on us (We will not be able to receive or understand the word of God as spoken by His elect)

We all as Vashti, in our appointed times, have gone through this phase of not being able to see the face of the King. But God, who is rich in mercy, has come to quicken us if we are destined to be part of the first resurrection.

Isa 5:1  Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 
Isa 5:2  And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 
Isa 5:3  And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 
Isa 5:4  What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 
Isa 5:5  And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 
Isa 5:6  And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 
Isa 5:7  For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Est 1:20  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.
Est 1:21  And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

At the appointed time during the lake-of-fire age, the King’s decree shall be made known to all humanity so that we all as wives will give honor to our husband Christ. All humanity will come to understand what it means to honor Christ our husband when the fiery words are spoken to them by the elect. This is what it means when the scriptures say that, ‘the LORD said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ That is, at the fullness of time, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. The Lord has planned all these before the foundation of the world. Currently however, the King’s decree is being published within the elect where the kingdom of God is.  This is what pleases the King, and since we are the princes and have the same mind as Christ, we are also pleased to submit to our husband, Jesus!!!

Mat 22:44  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Mar 12:36  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Isa 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Est 1:22  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.

In this age, letters are being sent out in every generation and every part of the world since Pentecost, calling all elect to bear rule in their own house. To bear rule in our own house means to overthrow the man of sin from sitting on the throne in our hearts and minds through the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives. It is the same as Christ sitting on the throne of our hearts and mind. This letter (the fiery words of God) is being published in the language of every people. In other words, to the elect in every part of the world, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are being unveiled, and this is what is bringing the brightness of Christ’s coming that destroys the man of sin!! May we pray to be found worthy to be those who bear rule of our own house in this age!!!  In the fullness of time, all men everywhere will bear rule of their own house!!! What a wonderful plan!!!

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance (when we did not have letters sent out) God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent (In this age, only few will repent).

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Next time, we will focus our studies on Esther, the period of her purification and her selection as wife by the King. That will be Esther Chapter 2.