Abram himself (the father of all believers; see Romans 4:11) used to live “beyond the Euphrates” in the time when he and his family “served other gods” (Joshua 24:2). The Lord, though, called him away from that heathendom to serve him, the living God. God’s promise to him was that he would give him land on this side of this great river. In fact, the Euphrates formed the eastern boundary of the land God promised to give to Abram and his descendants (see Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 1:7; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:4). So it is also telling that when Israel hardened themselves in sin the Lord sent them into exile “beyond the Euphrates” back into the land of heathendom from which they were once called/rescued through their father Abram. Again, it is no surprise to note that in the spiritual war between God’s people Israel and those belonging to Satan, forces would come from “beyond the Euphrates” to try to destroy God’s people (see the rise of the Assyrians and the Babylonians, and even Balaam; see Numbers 22:5).
14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”