It's always interesting to line up end times events that we see prophesied in the Bible with current events. It triggers hope and excitement of faith for us as believers today. This is good and keeps us motivated and expectant for our Lord, but we must also not become too excited and pull things out of context based on the truth in the Word. Remember that none of these prophetic signs and their fulfillment in Revelation is going to happen while we are still here on earth.
In the scripture reference below, Paul says we are not to be concerned or shaken in mind by news or rumours or what people say.
2Th.2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Notice Paul says the day of Christ (the tribulation and kingdom), is NOT at hand, at this time, during our dispensation. The tribulation is VERY close, and we are seeing shadows of its coming being cast on the earth already, but these are only shadows; not the 'real' thing yet. It is only AFTER our rapture, in the next dispensation, that the signs and events of the tribulation are again 'at hand', as Jesus spoke in the gospels and confirmed in these Jewish epistles,
1Pet.4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Rev.1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
So, if we look at what Revelation tells us, we can see that the Euphrates plays a pivotal role in prophecy. In Revelation 9:14, an angel commands to release four angels bound at the Euphrates, symbolizing a time of great tribulation. Later, in Revelation 16:12, the sixth angel pours out their bowl on the Euphrates, causing its water to dry up. This event marks the initiation of the last judgements and war of Armageddon, preparing the way for the kings from the East.
In summary, the tribulation might be close, but its signs and events are preserved for that time, not our time. The Euphrates drying up now is only a prelude or a premature event and not fulfillment of prophecy. According to Revelation, the 'real' event only occurs after the halfway point of the tribulation. So, we can be reminded of these shadow events and take heed of their warnings, but there is no need for concern that Bible prophecy is currently taking place, or the tribulation has begun, or that we have missed our Lord's coming.
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