Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 16:13-16”
Categories: Revelation“And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (‘Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.’) And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.”
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Yesterday we ended with verse 12 and the pouring out of the sixth bowl of wrath which spelled certain doom for the Roman power: “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.” According to Homer Hailey, the literal Euphrates River was “the northernmost frontier of Israel’s territory and the boundary between east and west” which “symbolizes a barrier or deterrent to invasion, which now is removed.” At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, the four angels “who were bound at the great river Euphrates” were released (Revelation 9:14), and a fierce army of 200 million horsemen killed “a third of mankind” (Revelation 9:15-19). With the pouring out of the sixth bowl of wrath the symbolic waters of the figurative river are “dried up” completely removing any protection from the weakened Roman Empire against outside invasion that eventually toppled the global giant.
But before Satan’s wicked agent of sin and oppression would be destroyed, the adversary would make a last-ditch effort to destroy God’s people. John “saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs” (verse 13). “Frogs are thought of as unclean, loathsome, a nuisance and an aggravation; their croaking probably symbolizes confusion. It is likely in this sense that these unclean spirits are called frogs. According to the law such creatures were to be held in abomination (Lev. 11:9ff), and coming from such a source as these three came, there was no doubt that they were unclean.” (Hailey)
These “frogs” are also described as the “spirits of demons, performing signs” (verse 14). “These three diabolical spirits use deceptive signs to persuade the kings of the earth to unite with Rome. In order to enlist followers, Satan must use false propaganda to deceive people. Through Rome he used a system that appeared to be a righteous cause, i.e., through a system of religion. But Caesar-worship was a vain system of religion, and it was destined to failure in its conflict with the only true God.” (Harkrider) Although this battle is not addressed in any detail until Revelation 19:19-21, we must understand that it is not a bloody battle of physical warfare fought with martial armaments. God’s kingdom was not established and will never be advanced with manmade weaponry (Ephesians 6:10-18). What is depicted here is one particular skirmish in mankind’s ever-present, ongoing spiritual war “against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
So Jesus warned His soldiers in the first century Roman world, as He alerts us and all His enlistees living in all places and eras, to always be on heightened, spiritual alert. Jesus frequently spoke of His coming as “a thief” (verse 15) in order to encourage preparedness on the part of His people (Luke 12:39-40). “Stays awake and keeps his clothes” are both present tense phrases that indicate a continual threat that needs constant alertness and readiness. Satan is always on the prowl and looking for sitting targets so we must not be caught with our clothes off! The temptation for our first century brethren was to compromise their faith and give in to the false sense of comfort and safety offered by the idolatrous governmental forces serving as Satan’s emissary. Rome may have appeared to be an invincible juggernaut but no one can prevail against the Almighty God of heaven, and His plans and purposes cannot be derailed or overthrown. When in Rome do not do as the Romans do! Never defect to the enemy! Always stay on the Lord’s side!
In verse 16 we have the Bible’s one and only reference to the over-hyped Battle of “Armageddon” (KJV). “Har-Magedo” literally means “Hill of Megiddo”. While the Bible makes no mention of an actual “hill,” Megiddo is an oft-mentioned and significant location in the Jezreel Valley. Homer Hailey wrote: “Megiddo was a strategic point in the protection of Israel and Judah, since it guarded the northern entrance to Israel. It was in this area that several decisive battles had been fought, the most memorable being that of Deborah and Barak against Jabin and Sisera of the Canaanites; a decisive victory was given Israel by Jehovah (Judg. 4, 5). It was in this valley of Esdraelon (Jezreel), ‘west of the hill of Moreh,’ that Gideon’s three hundred men defeated and drove out the Midianites, another decisive battle determined by Jehovah (Judg. 7:1). Saul and Jonathan were slain at the eastern extremity of the plain (1 Sam. 31:1-6), and it was at Megiddo that Ahaziah, king of Judah, in league with Joram of Israel, died, having been slain at the command of Jehu (II Kings 9:27). King Josiah fought against Pharaoh Neco in the valley of Megiddo, where he was slain (II Kings 23:29f.; II Chron. 35:22)… In view of these battles of historical significance we conclude that John used the word symbolically to describe a great decisive spiritual battle between the army of Satan and the forces of God, which would determine the fate of each. This battle was fought and won by the Lord in complete defeat of the Roman Empire and paganism behind which Rome threw its total power.”
Our greatest battles are of a spiritual nature friends! Suit up daily! Stay alert every second! Our eternal victory depends on it! Those who stay on the Lord’s side cannot lose!
Please read Revelation 16:17-21 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
