What does it mean in Revelation that the Euphrates River dries up to make way for the kings of the east?

Revelation is a book full of symbols that teach us about spiritual realities. Sometimes people are tempted to make parts of this apocalyptic vision literal when the prophecy itself is already explained in Scripture. Before looking at the Euphrates, let’s focus for a moment on the kings of the east.

The Bible uses many references to the “east” as identifying the place from which God comes. The kings of the east are the Kings (Father and Son) of heaven. They are called kings of the east because that is the direction from which heavenly beings approach Earth.

Note the following, for example: Jesus’ second coming will be from the east. “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27). God’s glory comes from the east. “Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east” (Ezekiel 43:2). Revelation’s sealing angel comes from the east. “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God” (Revelation 7:2).

What about the reference to the Euphrates? Before the ancient kingdom of Babylon was captured by the Median general Darius, the waters of the river Euphrates, which passed underneath the walls of the city, was diverted into a manmade lakebed. This diversion permitted Darius’ army to capture the city at night by entering from underneath the walls through the empty riverbed.

In the prophecies of Revelation, “water” symbolizes people (Revelation 17:15). Thus, the waters of the river Euphrates refer to the followers of “Babylon the great,” whose support dries up when they turn against Babylon with the intent to destroy her (Revelation 17:16). This drying up of support for “Babylon the great” assures victory for the kings of the east, the Father and Son.

Key Bible Texts

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (Revelation 16:12 KJV)