Esther 1 speaks of an executive order signed to elevate the honor of men above the honor of women

Esther 1

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

The king who favored Esther had a personality marked by grandiosity, narcissism, and self-centeredness, as we will see in this chapter. Queen Vashti, the king’s wife, refused to obey her husband’s orders and openly resisted being treated like an object for his benefit. To replace her, the king selected Esther who gave him respect and admiration and he rewarded her well and supported her as his own. Esther exemplifies this verse: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

• The ruling political force flaunts its wealth and splendor internationally.
• The ruling power continues glorifying itself within its inner circle.
• The drunken king wanted to exploit the queen’s beauty, but she refused to be used by him.
• The king consults with his key cabinet members to punish the queen for her resistance.
• The queen was judged to be a bad influence on all the nation’s women.
• An executive order was signed to exalt the will of men over the will of women.

The ruling political force flaunts its wealth and splendor internationally. “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia)…” Esther 1:1

Ahasuerus had enormous power for his time, ruling over 127 provinces. Nowadays, we think of power in terms of the seven continents and the ten kingdoms on this earth, such as China, Russia, USA, South America, Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Canada or similar groupings. Ahasuerus’s power is comparable to that of the United Nations today. The decision was made to make a show of his power and majesty.

“…in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the  fortified palace, that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.” Esther 1:2-4

Ahasuerus, the center of power, summoned his entire governing staff, those serving him, and the governors of his provinces to display his wealth and majesty. The festivities were purely egocentric in a grandiose way to show off the prosperity of his riches and how majestic his power was. The narcissistic event lasted for six months.

A powerful entity that gives people what to think, feel, say and do dominates the world. It is the source of power and authority for the global government and its global culture. It controls the resources and the economy of nations across the globe and it boasts of its supremacy in their attitude and spirit asking, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 It occupies the temple of God, our body, as if it is God by giving people what to feel and think, as it exalts itself above every person and everything on this earth. “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “him” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the man of sin.

The governors of the global government and all who serve the global culture are in a very celebratory mood in their splendid political power and control over the world’s resources and economy.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:6-10

Matthew 23 are words of Jesus Christ spoken against the sin of exalting self above God.

The ruling power continues glorifying itself within its inner circle. “And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.” Esther 1:5

Following the 180-day grandiose international celebration of Ahasuerus to flaunt his wealth and glory, he extended the party for another week in his own palace. The celebration involved everyone who served him, from his top aide to the janitor. He created for himself his own narcissistic version of the garden of Eden.

It stands to reason that the people who govern and live for the global government of the beast are rejoicing, gloating, and celebrating their empowerment in their own inner circle. They are empowered by the entity that gives them their feelings, thoughts, words and actions. They are endowed with extraordinary knowledge, intuition, talents, skills, physical abilities, authority, and formed emotions. They feel empowered to exalt their own will above God’s authority. They surely boast, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war with him?” Revelation 13:4

“There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the hand of the king.” Esther 1:6-7

People who are narcissistic and grandiose use worldly means to express themselves, because they lack emotional or spiritual connection with others. They base their self-worth on appearances and material possessions that make them seem important, and powerful. They demonstrate their value or “love” for others by giving them things, instead of showing them genuine affection in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37

“In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.” Esther 1:8

The narcissistic king gave everyone the freedom to do whatever they wanted, as long as it met his approval. This is evident from his treatment of his wife, Queen Vashti, whom he put away. This is similar to today’s global culture, which worships the creature human being instead of God as the Creator. Everyone follows their own desires, as long as they don’t conflict with the entity that gives them their feelings, thoughts, words, and actions. That entity is the source of the power and authority of the beast’s government. It gives life to the image of the beast to live and speak through people, and they can do anything they want within that framework. People everywhere conforms to the anti-Christian global culture as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they say and do.

“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:7-8

In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus Christ has this to say, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The king wanted to exploit the queen’s beauty, but she refused to be used by him. “Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.” Esther 1:9

Queen Vashti hosted a feast for the wives of all the government leaders, from the international to the local level. She enjoyed being in the spotlight, feeling powerful and admired. She probably had a pretentious and impressive style, as well as an imposing presence as the king’s wife. Like her husband, she also showed narcissistic and grandiose traits, with no empathy for her husband, the king, as verse 12 reveals.

Instead of being full of our own self-importance, the Holy Spirit puts in our spirit what John the Baptist voiced aloud, we must decrease and Jesus Christ must increase. “He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth.” John 3:30-31

“On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold.” Esther 1:10-11

King Ahasuerus displayed his wealth and majesty to the most influential and important people under his reign. He treated his wife, Queen Vashti, as a possession and a symbol of his glory, not as a human being. He wanted to flaunt her beauty as his Queen to satisfy his own narcissism and grandiosity. The global government of the beast also objectifies people until the end of this world’s system, and regard them as commodities, as it is written, “…and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.” Revelation 18:13

Jesus said, “Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?” Matthew 12:12 

The global government of the beast forms its global culture by objectifying human beings. They totally disregard the human spirit and human conscience through the entity giving people what to feel, think, say, and do. It enables the image of the beast to live and speak through people everywhere and those who welcome it are the beauty and splendor of the government of the beast. The masses of people conform to the anti-Christian global culture as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they say and do. The people of the global culture, who belong to the global government, value themselves more than they value God the Creator. They resent being called sinners who need Jesus Christ to forgive their sins. They treat the Holy Spirit as someone to control, abuse, use, and destroy.

“But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.” Esther 1:12

When Queen Vashti refused to obey her husband’s order to show herself off for his ego, he was furious. He felt a huge public humiliation and a matching rage inside him. The queen’s rebellion was seen by every important wife of the most powerful and influential leaders under the king’s authority. The leaders themselves also witnessed her rebellion. She might have deliberately manipulated the situation for that very reason.

A marriage that is doomed to fail is one where a spouse puts their own importance above the other. A marriage should be free of power struggles, whether they are about who is grander, who is more respected outside the home, or who wields the most financial power. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…”Romans 12:1 Those who are narcissistic and grandiose lack the understanding of equality. They cannot comprehend the idea of being on the same level with others. The notion of being “equally yoked” is foreign to their personality.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” Ephesians 5:22-28.” Ephesians 5:22-28

King consults with his key cabinet members to punish the queen for her resistance. “Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king’s presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom)…” Esther 1:13-14

When their orders are ridiculed and rejected, people who suffer from narcissism and grandiosity feel enraged. They seek to harm, eliminate, or banish the person who offended them from their world. This is especially true when the rejection occurs in front of others. King Ahasuerus experienced this when his wife, Queen Vashti, publicly humiliated him. The king, who had a narcissistic personality, relied on obedient advisers who would follow his wishes, which were to ruin and destroy his wife’s life.

Jesus Christ teaches us a different Spirit, one that does not use laws to ruin lives out of spite for a hurt ego, “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” Luke 9:56 We follow the law of the Holy Spirit, not the laws that cater to sin and death. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin…” Romans 8:2-4

“What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” Esther 1:15

Queen Vashti defied her husband’s narcissistic and grandiose demands, showing similar qualities herself. She resisted her husband’s subjugation and faced the king’s fury, who exploited his own laws to destroy her. The Holy Spirit teaches us to obey the authorities that God has placed over us, or else we will face the same judgment, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.” 1 Peter 2:13-14

The world we live in is governed by written and non-verbal laws. These laws are interpreted by the entity that gives people what to feel, think, say, and act. This entity allows the image of the beast to live and speak through people and claims that the human body, the temple of God, belongs to it. As quoted, “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Click here for a post on the “man of sin”. We dedicate our bodies as the temples of the Holy Spirit, following the law of God as disciples of Jesus Christ. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…” Matthew 5:11-12

The queen was judged to be a bad influence on all the nation’s women. “And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.” Esther 1:16

One of the king Ahasuerus’s chief legislators, Memucan, passed a verdict on his wife Queen Vashti who disrespected her husband. The verdict fed into the king’s ego and vanity by declaring that an insult to the king is an insult to the entire government and every person within the land.

Just as king Ahasuerus did not tolerate any disrespect that scoffed at, mocked, or ignored his commands, the global government of today also expects obedience from the world’s population. The global government is empowered by an entity that gives people their feelings, thoughts, words, and actions of every national leader and the entire global population. This entity animates the image of the beast to live and speak through people, and it is the source of power and authority for the government of the beast. Anyone who rejects this source of power and authority faces the wrath of the masses within the city who view such rejection as a virtual act of treason against the global culture. They shun, or worst then shun, any criticism. People in every city around the world conform to the global culture as they are groomed to the mark of the beast through what they say and do.

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 This verse is talking about the beast that is associated with the image and the mark of the beast.

“For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath.” Esther 1:17-18

As the king’s wife, Queen Ashti wielded power and influence within his entire territory. She abused that privilege by defying and disgracing her husband King Ahasuerus in front of all the local and national leaders. She said no to his command. The king, who was narcissistic and grandiose, quickly looked for a legal way to eliminate his wife, who had mocked his authority. The basis for the verdict against her was that she endangered the harmony and security of every household in his realm. The king could not tolerate any contempt or rebellion against him.

King Ahasuerus used a tactic against his wife that is similar to the one used by the global government today. Anyone who challenges the global culture and has influence in the cities of any nation is labeled as a terrorist. The governing powers accuses them of spreading contempt and rebellion that endanger global peace and security. The global government wants to suppress any idea that rebellion against them will succeed.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are treated as if we pose a threat to the peace and security of the global culture of the beast. We make our bodies the temples of the Holy Spirit, while they want our bodies to be controlled by the entity that gives people their feelings, thoughts, words, and actions. Christianity is being eradicated. The churches no longer preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the government lawmakers no longer uphold the values of the Bible in their policies, the schools no longer teach Bible principles in the classrooms, and Christianity has been banished from every sector of society.

“Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” Revelation 13:7-8 This verse refers to the beast that is associated with the image and mark of the beast.

An executive order was signed to elevate the will of men over the will of women. “If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.” Esther 1:19

King Ahasuerus, who was narcissistic and grandiose, got what he wanted from the lawmakers: a legal way to ruin the reputation and influence of his wife, Queen Vashti. She had publicly humiliated her husband by refusing to jump when he said to jump. He demanded her submission, but she sought her empowerment. Their heads clashed in a stubborn conflict. A law was passed that banned her from the king’s presence and would give her high-profile position to someone who the king considered worthy of him. That law was like a constitutional amendment that could not be altered and would become the law of the land.

In the global culture of today, an implicit rule demands that people admire and submit to the governing power. This power gives people their thoughts, feelings, actions, and words to animate the image of the beast to live and speak through them. Those who resist its influence are ostracized from its social network and stripped of their social approval, dignity, and esteem. Therefore, people around the world conform to the beast’s culture and are groomed to the mark of the beast through their words and deeds.

“When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small. And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.” ” Esther 1:20-22

The constitutional amendment aimed to give men authority over their wives, regardless of their social status. The king, who was narcissistic and grandiose, had written the new law to suit his own desires. He wanted to legally subjugate and objectify women, and to blame the queen for the unpopular law. Such an action would cause widespread resentment and hostility towards the queen from people of all classes.

The phrase, “…all wives will honor their husbands…” does not reflect the Spirit of the scripture that urges wives to honor their husbands. The king’s law, driven by his narcissism and grandiosity, reduced women to commodities, objects, or dolls, rather than human beings. The king’s law also unleashed the worst of human nature by allowing men to treat their wives like livestock and provoking resentment, revenge, contempt, and violence among women.

The Scripture advises women to respect men as a way of overcoming the animalistic human nature. By putting Jesus Christ in charge of the household, the Holy Spirit removes the need for one spouse to dominate the other. A home where Jesus Christ is the leader is a home where women are not abused and where women do not harbor resentment or revenge.

These verses should be repeated, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” Ephesians 5:25-28

People who are narcissistic and grandiose prey on the vulnerable ones whom they perceive as weak and defenseless. In that light, they would view women as the weaker vessel and a thing to be dominated and subjugated. The Holy Spirit has a word to say about how we should treat the “weaker vessel”, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11