3432 - Altar in Egypt by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 16, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 19.

3432 — Altar in Egypt

By Editor

Please explain Isa. 19:19, 20. What is the meaning of "altar"? Does it mean the great pyramid of Egypt? K. I.

We know no reason in the world as to why it should apply to the great pyramid of Egypt. We see no reason to make a prophecy of God's work, of Christ's coming and kingdom, out of a pagan mausoleum, wonderful tho the building is. We have seen no certainty or assurance in the many and diverse guesses that have been put forth in behalf of the general theory. Isa. 19:18-25 refers to the spread of God's truth and its fruits in Egypt. Down into Egypt went many, very many Jews. There the Scriptures were translated into the Greek language about 300 years before Christ. Great favors were extended to the Jewish people. A great center of devotion and worship was raised in that land of darkness, represented by the altar, a center where worshipers gathered. In consequence of this knowledge of God some of the strongest churches and centers of Christianity were in Egypt, rivaling Rome and Asia. This is in general the meaning we see in the prophecy.