ETBAAL III
“Who?” you say.
Yes, at first glance this name is quite remote. But stay with me. Actually, there is an Ethbaal in your Bible, I Kings 16:31. He is the father of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, the most wicked woman our Scriptures have ever recorded. This was certainly a marriage for politics. Because, as you know, Ethbaal was not a Jew. Ethbaal was king of an already corrupt nation that would one day be swept away by history.
I am referring to Phenicia and its great city Tire, located roughly in the area of present-day Lebanon and Syria. “Phenicia was an enterprising maritime business culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1500 BC to 300 BC,” according to Wikipedia.
“Furthermore, as Canaanites, they were unique in their remarkable maritime achievements … The Phoenicians were among the greatest merchants of their time and owed much of their prosperity to trade.”
In fact, Ezekiel’s prophecy mentions this commercial aspect of the Phoenician style, showing how it corrupted this civilization.
But until his demise, ruling these cities meant being a man of world power, glory, and wealth. His influence spread throughout the world. Although not technically an empire, they were surrounded by and connected to empires, and the greatness of these connections became an integral part of Phenicia.
Etbaal is called “king of the Sidonians” in the Kings passage, and Josephus adds that he was also king of Tire, the twin city of Sidon. These were the main cities of the Phoenician culture.
“Ethbaal”, by the way, means “with Baal”. Baal was the predominant god of Israel’s enemies, and Ahab sold himself to Baal worship to please his wicked queen. Ethbaal and his daughter were two of the reasons why God’s curse fell on the northern kingdom in 721 BC. C.
The name “Etbaal” was used by other kings of Tire for generations to come. One of them, Ethbaal (or Itto-Baal) III, seems to be the subject of the surprising prophecy given by Ezekiel in his chapter 28. Josephus says that he was the one who reigned at the time of the fall of Jerusalem. Therefore, the words of Ezekiel 28 would apply to him, as judgment would soon come at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar (570 BC).
I list this man as one of the “seven” kings of Revelation 17:11, not exclusively because of any of the above facts. I list it by that prophecy in Ezekiel that I have referred to. There is possibly no clearer description anywhere in the Bible of a man so devoted to Satan’s program for this planet. He and Satan are cursed simultaneously, just as Satan and the serpent share a curse in Genesis 3. Listen carefully to the main points of this prophecy, paraphrased. God is speaking to the prince of Tire, Etbaal III:
• You are proud.
• You say “I am a god”.
• Its wealthy have been earned thanks to its superior knowledge and wisdom.
• Your success in business has lifted your heart.
• Strangers come against you.
• You will be thrown into a well.
But keep listening as God now speaks to the king, the true ruler, of Tire, Satan himself, incarnate in this wicked man:
• In fact, you were perfectly wise and beautiful.
• You were in Eden.
• You were the first of the created angels.
• By engaging in commerce on earth, he became violent and entered into sin.
• I throw you out.
• You were still proud.
• I throw you to the ground.
• I allowed you (within Ethbaal) to be reduced to ashes.
• You will not be more.
Part of this prophecy seems to speak of Satan’s final judgment in the lake of fire.
We compare what we have seen here with others of its kind, and with the final model called antichrist and ask, is this the one who will rise again in the last days? Notice his characteristics compared to those of the antichrist:
• Proud
• Exalted above God, desiring to be God
• World ruler
• As a descendant of the Canaanites, truly an enemy of Israel.
• Filled with Satan and cursed with him
• A violent ending
Yes, it seems to qualify, doesn’t it? Could he go back and try to complete his work against Israel and the God of Israel? I think.