A Woman Drunk with the Blood of the Copts
I have never been one to interpret the Book of Revelation solely through a historical or tragic lens. Yet, the repetition of violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt—Kosheh, the Church of the Two Saints in Alexandria, Imbaba, Mokattam, Maspero, Amiriya, and now Dahshur—forces me to consider these events in light of the apocalyptic vision.
When I heard what had happened in Dahshur, Revelation 17 came to mind—particularly the image of the woman “drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6). I could not help but think of her as the invisible force behind these ongoing atrocities—not just in Egypt, but in many parts of the world where God's people suffer for their faith.
Who Is This "Drunk Woman"?
This woman, described in Revelation, is not just a symbol of corrupt political systems or earthly power. She “sits on many waters”—meaning she resides among "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" (Revelation 17:15). The Greek word for “sits” also implies “dwelling.” In other words, she lives in the minds, hearts, and consciences of countless individuals. Her influence is widespread, subtle, and deadly.
St. Paul describes such a condition in Romans:
“They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12).
This woman symbolizes the corrupted human nature—twisted by sin, drunk with hatred, and delighted in violence. Her actions are evident everywhere:
“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like” (Galatians 5:19–21).
Drunk on the Blood of the Innocent
This is no metaphor. Across Egypt and beyond, people are not just physically intoxicated—they are spiritually drunk. And their intoxicant is the blood of innocent Christians. Churches are burned. Homes and businesses are looted. Families are displaced. All of this is done under the pretense of religion, in the name of “sharia law” and the “Caliphate.”
What happened in Dahshur is not an isolated incident. It is part of a growing wave of hatred. Behind the scenes, there are those who fan the flames—radical preachers, political actors, and ideologues. One commentator recently wrote about the incitement of hatred against Copts by certain religious figures: Wagdy Ghoneim, Omar Abdel Rahman, and others. These voices do not operate in isolation—they echo the spirit of the “Drunk Woman.”
As the prophet Isaiah warned, the corruption has spread “from the sole of the foot even to the head” (Isaiah 1:6). As Jesus said,
“You will know them by their fruits... a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16–18).
Beyond Egypt: A Global Threat
The reach of this “Drunk Woman” extends far beyond Egypt. She appears in Iraq, Syria, Europe, the United States, and elsewhere. Her influence stirs hatred, division, and violence. And despite the efforts of moderates, reformers, and interfaith advocates—such as the so-called “House of the Family” in Egypt—the root of the problem remains: fallen human nature without the grace of God.
No social reform, legal system, or human ideology can deliver humanity from this darkness. Only the grace of Christ can.
The Only Hope
What is the hope for Egypt—and for the world? It is the same hope Israel had when they groaned under Pharaoh’s oppression:
“I have surely seen the oppression of My people… and have heard their cry… for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them” (Exodus 3:7–8).
There is only one power strong enough to overcome this darkness: the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
This is my hope for our Muslim brothers and sisters, and for all people everywhere: that they would receive the grace of God, be transformed by His love, and discover in Christ the true preacher of peace.
A Final Word
My heart and my prayers go out to every family displaced in Dahshur. May God be near to the brokenhearted and grant peace to His people. May the Church never cease to pray for those who suffer and for those who persecute, that grace may abound.
Let us all wake up to the influence of the “Drunk Woman.” Let us stand firm in the Gospel of peace. And let us proclaim—boldly and compassionately—that the only true liberation comes through the love of Christ.
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