Sunday, 9 May 2021
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Revelation 16:13
The previous verse saw the sixth bowl of God’s wrath poured out on the Euphrates, drying it up and preparing a way for the kings of the east. Now, it says, “And I saw.” It thus signifies a new part of the vision, separating what is to be said from what was just conveyed. Thus, what will be seen does not necessarily follow as a direct connection to the kings of the east, as if the kings of the east comprised those things next to be mentioned.
Rather, verses 13-16 are distinct in thought as a brief interlude between the sixth and seventh bowls. This is the same as what occurred with the interludes between the sixth and seventh seal, and the sixth and seventh trumpet. What John sees is, “three unclean spirits like frogs.”
Frogs comprised the second plague upon Egypt as is recorded in Exodus 8:1-15. The Egyptian frog-headed god was Heqet, a goddess of fertility and related to the annual flooding of the Nile. Normally, the most noticeable characteristic of frogs one thinks of is its croaking – a constant, meaningless droning.
Their croaking can either be high or low-pitched. This would then represent the spirit of complaint or inciting complaint in others. The empty words of the leaders are directed toward emotion rather than reason; ungodliness rather than holiness; vain teachings rather than sound instruction.
This is the path of liberal, progressive, and socialist politicians and philosophers in the world today. They are having a marked effect on the populace, reducing people to the state of acting without reason. This will become the only standard during the tribulation.
Frogs also live in muddy and swampy areas. This could be indicative of people who live in sin and refuse to come out of it. The voices of these leaders will only support this lifestyle. Again, it is the liberal thinkers of the world who pull people away from God and towards humanism and dependency. What should involve effort on the part of the people is exchanged for dependency on the government.
Another aspect of frogs is that they can swell in size as they croak or for other reasons. This would be a representation of the boastful attitude of these demonic-inspired people in their defiance of God and their reliance on self and the worship of the devil.
The unclean and unholy words and actions of these demons will have a marked effect on the people of the world as mankind marches toward the great battle to come. With this understood, these unclean spirits are said to be, “coming out of the mouth.”
The word “coming” is inserted and appears to be improperly added. The Greek reads, “out of the mouth.” It is not that frogs are coming out of the mouth, but that the spirits, like frogs, are out of the mouth. Thus, the connection is probably to their sound, and not necessarily to their physical appearance.
As this is so, what the term “unclean spirits” is should be considered. Is this as is seen in the gospels, meaning demons that possess, or is this referring to the inspiring influence? As three entities will be identified in this verse, the answer is probably an inspiring influence. In other words, in 1 Timothy 4:1, it says –
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
It is not so much that these are demons that possess the entities (Satan is already their master) as that they are demons that influence. Their words are as the sound of frogs, droning incessantly and putting forth meaningless words of deceit.
Being “unclean” means that they are defiled, unholy, fleshly, earthly, and so on. They are opposed to what is good and proper. These unclean spirits are said to be “out of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
The dragon was described in Revelation 12. The beast is the beast out of the sea introduced in Revelation 13:1. The false prophet is the second beast, out of the earth introduced in Revelation 13:11. This second beast is identified as the false prophet in verse 19:20. To see the connection concerning this beast/false prophet, the two sets of verses should be placed side by side –
“13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” Revelation 13:13, 14
“Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20
Life application: The world is rushing headlong into a time when there will be no critical thinking left at all. The unceasing drone of politicians, who are specialists in nothing but getting elected because they can speak convincingly, is becoming the only voice that is allowed, and it is a voice that follows a party line.
To step outside of their line, or to think for oneself, is becoming less and less tolerated. With the inception of the overbearing influence of big tech, people’s lives, actions, and even thought processes are easily monitored. To deviate from what is expected of submissive drones then leads to being ostracized and cast out from any chance of a normal functioning existence.
Above all, the high moral precepts of proper Christian living are being targeted. Soon, a time will arrive when even mentioning a walk in holiness will be so offensive that it will lead to excommunication or worse. Now is the time to fix your moral base and to determine to live by it. Read your Bible! Be prepared to defend your value choices based on it, and be willing to give up all if needed for what is good and right.
Though the rapture will happen before the coming tribulation, there is no guarantee that it will happen before the land you live in becomes completely intolerant towards proper Christian values. So set your standards now, be firm in your convictions, and keep your eyes firmly fixed on JESUS.
Lord Jesus, help us to think clearly about who You are and how we should act towards You. The leaders in our nation may have subtle and unholy agendas which are meant to turn us away from You and towards lives of ungodliness. Help us to discern these unclean spirits and to reject them for what they are. Keep us following the right path which will glorify You. Amen.