Author: Charlie Garrett

Friday, 14 May 2021

And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Revelation 16:18

As a note concerning manuscripts, the order of the three events is different depending on which manuscript is used –

And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; (NASB)
And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; (NKJV)

Whichever is correct, the idea remains the same in both regardless of the order. With that understood, John begins with, “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings.”

Following the pattern of previous instances (Revelation 4:5 & 11:19), these accompany the spoken words of the previous voice which said, “It is done.” There is a difference, however, in that mentioning these events in Revelation 4 and 11 formed the close of the judgments. In this case, mentioning them serves to introduce the result of the last bowl judgment. That result begins with “and there was a great earthquake.”

This is a form of judgment all by itself, especially as it is noted within the prophecy. Earthquakes are a part of the normal events of the earth and cannot always be considered as some form of judgment. But this one, being prophesied in advance, and being connected with other events in the narrative, is to be taken as a direct judgment. Of this earthquake, John says it is “such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.”

This earthquake is not to be spiritualized into something like “turmoil within the church,” or some other such analysis. Rather, the description of it, and the effects resulting from it, are spoken of as literal events. It is a cataclysm that will shake the entire earth. The effects of it will be seen in the next verses.

Life application: In Revelation 6:12, during the opening of the 6th seal, there was an earthquake. Again, in Revelation 8:5, after the opening of the 7th seal and prior to the sounding of the 7 trumpets, there were “noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” Next in Revelation 11:13 during the 2nd woe and prior to the sounding of the 7th trumpet, “a tenth of the city fell [and] in the earthquake seven thousand people were killed.” This was at the time of the resurrection of the two witnesses. Then a little later, after the sounding of the 7th trumpet (which would precede the 7 bowl judgments), it said –

“Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” Revelation 11:19

The time of tribulation will be a time of great upheaval on the earth and there will be much destruction from these events. However, the magnitude of the earthquake described in verse 16:18 will be far more immense.

News flash: For those who believe Revelation is concerning events that were fulfilled in the past, these cataclysms have never occurred before, and in particular this great earthquake cannot be identified as a fulfilled event. Therefore, again as has been pointed out many times, the book of Revelation is speaking about future events, most especially surrounding the unrepentant of the world and Israel, not the church.

Verses such as this one cannot be “spiritualized” without destroying the entire context of what is being relayed. The world is (future) coming under God’s judgment and when these events occur, they will be without precedent in their size and scope.

The very shape of the earth and its rotational speed and axis will likely be affected in an enormous way from the earthquake which is predicted in this verse. If this is so, it may explain other events that will come about during the millennium concerning the nature of the world, the longer lifespan of people at that time, and so on.

However, before that time of marvel and beauty arrives, the world must go through terrible times. The tribulation is not a time any sane person would voluntarily want to enter. And so, if the warning of the book of Revelation is understood, the reader should opt to avoid that time by calling out today for God’s provision in the giving of His Son. God will keep those who come to Him out of this time to come. So, call on Him today. Call out to JESUS!

Lord, we know that Your judgments are just and that in righteousness they are executed. Thank You that we have the complete assurance that nothing is done in an arbitrary manner, but Your judgments are a result of our own failures in Your presence. And so, thank You for the mercy You have provided through the giving of Your Son. Because of this, we stand and praise You forever. Amen.

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Revelation 16:17

With the interlude referring to the great battle of Armageddon complete, John now returns to the seventh and final bowl judgment, saying, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air.”

What results from this pouring into the air is not actually stated, and it can only be guessed at what the result is. Some see it as the domain where the devil is. That would then be a reference to Ephesians 2 where he is called the prince of the power of the air. Others see it as supernatural events that appear to come from the air, such as tempests and storms and the like. Indeed, Zechariah 14 says the following –

“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:
Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet,
Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,
And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
¹³ It shall come to pass in that day
That a great panic from the Lord will be among them.
Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor,
And raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand;
¹⁴ Judah also will fight at Jerusalem.
And the wealth of all the surrounding nations
Shall be gathered together:
Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
¹⁵ Such also shall be the plague
On the horse and the mule,
On the camel and the donkey,
And on all the cattle that will be in those camps.
So shall this plague be.” Zechariah 14:12-15

This plague of being dissolved there is probably linked to a modern neutron bomb or the like. Something ignites the atmosphere, and the plague comes from that. However, it is what precedes this plague that is recorded in Zechariah 14 that is also recorded in Revelation 19 –

“Then the Lord will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
⁴ And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.” Zechariah 14:3, 4

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

Both end times passages refer to the return of the Lord to fight the battle for His people. Other similarities will be noted in the coming verses as well. The pouring out of the bowl into the air may simply be a way of saying that Christ, who is coming from heaven, will appear in order to bring final judgment upon the unrepentant people of the world. In this, there is a note of finality. As such, John continues with, “and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’”

There are various minor differences in these words. Some manuscripts leave out the words “of heaven.” One says “God” instead of “throne.” Either way, the intent is clear enough. A voice is issuing forth, and its proclamation is that of finality. It is not that everything has come to pass yet, but that everything that is necessary for the final accomplishment of the redemptive plan has been fulfilled. With the pouring out of the bowl, nothing further needs to occur for everything to come about.

Life application: The words “it is done,” or more literally, “it has come to pass,” are not to be confused with Jesus’ final words on the cross. An entirely different word is used for each pronouncement in the Greek. In the case here, it is signifying the completion of the outpouring of the wrath of God, not an accomplishment of fulfilling the law and atonement on behalf of God’s people – both of which were completed by Jesus on the cross.

This verse is also not the finality of the bowl judgment, only an indication that the time of the judgment has come. The next few verses will contain a limited description of the judgment which results from the outpouring of the bowl. Because of this, it is good to look back and remember now what was stated before the outpouring of the first bowl in verse 1, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth’” (Revelation 16:1).

There has been no word from the throne since that time, but now that the seventh bowl is poured out, the Lord again speaks. There was, however, the brief interlude that was recorded after the sixth bowl in verse 15, saying, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

The Lord has given the warning that these great judgments are coming and that they will be executed with His authority. Therefore, He asks all to be ready for His coming so that these calamitous events can be avoided. When they come, the world will have no excuse for having rejected His offer of pardon. Now is the time of God’s favor; today is the day of salvation. God has extended His glorious offer. He has given us JESUS.

Heavenly Father, You have given us everything we need to know in order to be saved and to be kept from the hour of trial which is coming upon the world. You have also told us in advance what it will be like. Thank You for showing us these things. Give us the wisdom to call upon You now before these terrifying events come to pass. Thank You, O God! Amen.

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Revelation 16:16

The thought now returns to the words of verses 13 & 14. Taken without the parenthetical insert, it would say –

“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. ¹⁴ For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. … ¹⁶ And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”

The word “they” is referring to the unclean spirits. The word “them” is referring to “the kings of the earth and of the whole world.” These unclean spirits of demons, through the performing of their signs, have brought the world to a point where they are drawn into a conflict that will encompass these kings of the earth (meaning the armies under their control). In this, they have brought “them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”

The Hebrew name is transliterated into Greek as Harmagedón. Of John’s words, two things seem certain. The first is that there is a comparable word in the Hebrew because he specifically states that it is so. Secondly, that place is identifiable. Almost all scholars identify this name as resulting from two separate words. The first is har, the Hebrew word for “mountain.”

This does not necessarily mean a grand and exalted mountain, but it can refer to hill country, or a mountain in a figurative sense (such as in Exodus 15:17). The second word is from the Hebrew Megiddon, or Megiddo.  This word comes from the location known in the Bible as Megiddo. That, in turn, comes from the verb gadad, to penetrate or cut, or from the noun gedud, meaning a marauding band. Both find their origin in gud, to invade or attack.

As such, the NOBSE translates this as Place of Troops. Jones’s Dictionary of the Old Testament Proper Names calls it Place of Multitudes (an apparent confirmation of this would be Joel 3:14). On the other hand, Abarim includes the beginning letter mem (the m at the beginning) to indicate an ongoing action. Thus, they make it an active word, translating it as Invading or Intruding.

No matter which choice is made, the location fits the idea of what lies ahead there. Abarim, however, finds that the word Armageddon may not refer to this location at all. They go into a long and airy analysis of why this word should be taken in a different way. To read that, this link will take you there – https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Armageddon.html

Their analysis is weak in this regard, and it fails to take into consideration the biblical context, instead relying on ideas of their own fancy. The place known as Megiddo in the Old Testament Scriptures is referred to one time as Meggidon (in the Hebrew) (https://biblehub.com/text/zechariah/12-11.htm). That is found in Zechariah 14:11 –

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. ¹¹ In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.” Zechariah 14:10, 11

Because Hadad Rimmon is named, its definition should be explained. Hadad comes from a word signifying shouting or cheer. Rimmon signifies a pomegranate. That, in turn, comes from a word signifying “to be exalted.” The idea then is that of harvesting ripe fruit. From there, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names translates this as Bursting of The Pomegranate. In this, one gets the same idea as the book of Revelation when it describes grapes thrown into a winepress.

There is a harvest of that which is abundantly ripe, and there will be a massive flow that issues from it. Zechariah’s words appear to anticipate the same scenario as that of Revelation, and it does so in the same area and using the same form (in the Hebrew) of the name of Megiddo (Megiddon). It is a time of God’s judgment day. In other words, it seems that this is what John is thinking of when he uses the term “called in Hebrew.”

It is true that the term har, or mountain, is never used to describe Megiddo in the Old Testament. But to dismiss John’s words is an argument from silence. He says the place in Hebrew is (as transliterated into Greek) Harmagedón. Two identifiable words from the Hebrew Scriptures can be derived from this: har (a mountain) and the other one exactingly matching a known location (Hebrew Mgiddon).

If there is a plain of Megiddo, then there is something that identifies that plain, meaning Megiddo. If Megiddo is an elevated area in the plain, it can be assumed – without any damage to the context – that this mount is what identifies the plain. And this plain, or valley has already been described in Revelation –

“And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” ¹⁹ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. ²⁰ And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:18-20

That winepress, meaning the battle described there, is then reexplained in Revelation 19:11-21. The description of the location of the battle (a plain suitable for warfare), having it described as “outside the city” (a clear reference to Jerusalem in 14:20), and the idea of the plain being identified by the prominent mount on that plain (Megiddo), is suitable to justify that this is, in fact, the correct location.

Joshua identifies it as a place of great mourning, meaning that many Jews died there. That mourning will be comparable to the knowledge that they realize they have missed the One they pierced as their Messiah for so long. The fact that the center of Scripture during this battle is focused on Israel, seems to make it clear that this is exactly what John is referring to.

Life application: The term “Armageddon” has become synonymous with any worldwide calamity – whether it is a great battle, destruction by an asteroid, or some other major event. However, there is only one “Armageddon” that fulfills the plan of God’s workings in human history.

Megiddo is first noted in the Bible in Joshua 12:21. There it merely notes that this fortress was conquered, along with many other locations, by Joshua and the army of Israel during the conquest of Canaan. In Judges 1:27, it is noted that the people of Megiddo weren’t driven out despite being conquered, and thus they continued to dwell in the land.

Great battles are noted as having been fought there in the area during biblical times (2 Chronicles 35:22), and even into modern history the area has seen conflict. The valley by the mountain is large and spacious, and immense armies can join in battle there. Today if one goes to Israel, a person can stand on top of the mountain – where ancient ruins can still be explored – and they can look over the valley which peacefully lies below. It is filled with agriculture and is a delight to the eyes. A fun short video on some of the things to see at this mount can be found at this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55vwL1wDGbA

Looking over the beautiful expanse, it is hard to imagine the battles of the past. It is also hard to picture that the final great battle before Jesus returns will be held in this exact location. But this is the spot God has said it will occur, thus fulfilling not only this passage in Revelation, but numerous Old Testament passages as well. The word of God is sure, and it is sealed.

The day is coming, and it will come about exactly as stated. Until then, the world continues to make movies and write stories about this legendary name, not really realizing its true significance because they have failed to check the source of the use of the name, meaning Scripture. As they have ignored Scripture, they are also ignoring the One whom Scripture highlights. Without knowing Him, there will only be sadness, destruction, and condemnation. How terrible for the world that they will miss God’s offer of peace. They will have missed JESUS.

Lord, time is marching on and we are ever closer to the coming Day when the world will meet in the great valley of Armageddon. Until then, help each of us to hold fast to Your word and to tell others about what is coming so that they will be prepared for the rapture and escape the calamitous events which have been prophesied in Your word. Amen.

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

The words of this verse continue the interlude between the sixth and seventh bowls. The previous verse noted that the armies of the world are being drawn “to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.” Now, as a warning, John directly quotes the Lord Jesus in a parenthetical statement, saying, “Behold, I am coming as a thief.”

The idea of the Lord’s coming in this manner is seen numerous times, including Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Peter 3:10; and Revelation 3:3.

The words “as a thief” are given as a direct and unambiguous note that those in the tribulation must be prepared for what is coming and not be lax in their faithfulness. They have been warned and, in failing, there will be judgment.

Using the term “thief” means at a completely unexpected time, and in a completely unexpected manner. When the thief comes, it could be at 9pm or 3am. He might come in through the roof, or he might burrow in from underground. The idea is, “When you least expect it, be sure to expect it.” With this in mind, Jesus next says, “Blessed is he who watches.”

These words of this verse of the 16^th chapter of Revelation match the 16^th letter of the Hebrew Aleph-bet. The letter is ayin, represented by the pictograph of an eye. It has the meaning of “see,” “watch,” “know,” and “shade.” Here, Jesus says there is a blessing for those who watch, thus forming the letter/chapter pattern.

Concerning this idea of keeping watch in the end times, Jesus says it explicitly in both parable and open discourse to Israel in Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; and Luke 12:37-39 and Luke 21:36, such as –

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36

In this watching by the tribulation saints, Jesus continues with his admonition, saying, “and keeps his garments.”

The idea here is that of having one’s garment always at hand. When one lays down to sleep, he may set his garments off to the side. If the thief comes, the garments may be stolen along with whatever else is at hand, leaving the person naked. Of this, Alfred Edersheim gives a real-life example of what this means –

“During the night the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire. The confession of one of the Rabbins is on record that, on a certain occasion, his own maternal uncle had actually undergone the punishment of having his clothes set on fire by the captain of the Temple.”

This soldier did not watch and keep his garments. He was unprepared for what would happen. Likewise, those of the tribulation needed to be ready – through life or death – for what would occur. As this warning of the Lord is set parenthetically between two verses that deal with the battle of Armageddon, it is certainly referring as much to death as anything else. The person in the end times is told to watch and keep his garments, “lest he walk naked.”

The thought here is the same as for the church. When addressing those at Laodicea, Jesus said –

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:18

To more fully understand the symbolism, the commentary there can be referred to. But this speaks of being naked and exposed in one’s sin. The only way to be covered from sin is by being covered in the righteousness of Christ. Without this, there is complete exposure of one’s sin before God. In this, the words of the verse finish with, “and they see his shame.”

The word translated as “shame” is found only here and in Romans 1:27. It signifies unseemliness, indecency, and so on. It is improper moral behavior. In these final words, Jesus uses the plural “they.” What this is referring to are those who are to bring in the righteous to the events after the battle. In other words, it is surely what Jesus is referring to in the parable of Matthew 22:1-14.

Jesus sends out his servants for the wedding feast, and only those who are properly clothed are invited in. As he says, however, at the end of the parable –

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. ¹² So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Mathew 22:11-13

The terminology and the symbolism here is directed to the tribulation period only. It is not a church-age warning. Thus, it is important to understand the distinction between what was addressed in the epistles, and also in the first three chapters of Revelation, from what is being referred to now.

Life application: The world is coming to the end of the bowl judgments and here, just before the 7th bowl is poured out, a stern warning is given about preparedness. There is a distinction being made between those who will see life and those who will be condemned, and it could occur at any moment. The distinction is Christ. There are only two states for man –

1) in Christ and covered by His righteousness, or
2) apart from Him which leaves one naked and exposed.

The Lord gives the warning for the tribulation world. But whether in the church age or during the tribulation, no one knows the hour he will die, or the hour that the Lord will return. Therefore, let us be found covered at all times. If we are, then we will be blessed.

Revelation 16:15 states the third of a series of seven blessings to an individual in the book of Revelation. The first two were in Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 14:13. Specific blessings to individuals are yet to be seen in verses 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:14.

Take time to read those verses and to contemplate what they say. Some are directed to the church, some to those in the tribulation, and some to all. But all are based on a relationship with God through what He has done in sending His Son to accomplish all things for us. Let us remember this and let us always be ready. He is coming again. He is JESUS!

Lord, pour out Your blessing of salvation and cover us in Your righteousness. We know that in us is nothing good. But because of You we can stand in the presence of God and not be condemned. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake – to the glory of God and to the salvation of our souls. Amen.

Monday, 10 May 2021

For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:14

These words of a brief interlude between the sixth and seventh bowl judgments began in the previous verse where three unclean spirits, like frogs, came out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. Now, those unclean spirits are further described by John, saying, “For they are spirits of demons.”

As seen in the previous verse, these are probably influencing spirits that issue forth perverse doctrines and instruction. Of these demons, John says they are “performing signs.”

The idea here is probably that these three great worldly entities speak forth things that champion their cause. For example, Hitler spoke forth things that he would do in the great power of the Third Reich. Not only did he speak them forth, but then he also followed through with what he spoke.

The word translated as “sign” is something that stands for something else. A miracle is its own thing. But a sign is a token of something, pointing to that thing. For example, in the Gospel of John, Jesus is said to perform signs. Each may be miraculous, such as turning the water into wine, but the point of the sign was not the thing itself, but to demonstrate that Christ is the Messiah. The sign was a pointer to this fact.

Thus, performing signs equates to these three entities saying they have a certain power, and then demonstrating that power, fulfilling the sign. This is what is happening here. Just as Hitler did these things, bringing his words to a state of actual occurrence, so these will also do. In this, the demonic influence is that which goes “out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world.”

One can think of a tit for tat war of words: “We will take this land, and we will possess it.” “No! You will never get that. We will destroy you if you try.” Back and forth, each side maneuvers and postures to gain the advantage. Eventually, the posturing is done and the whole world is brought to the point prophesied in God’s word. It all has led to the time and place where the result is understood. These warring factions have been led by these demonic influences in order “to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

Of these words, Albert Barnes rightly states, “To the battle of that great day of God Almighty – Not the day of judgment, but the day which would determine the ascendancy of true religion in the world – the final conflict with those powers which had so long opposed the gospel.”

This is not the day where God will judge, except in the sense that judgment is poured out. In the book of Joel, this battle is said to be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, or “Yehovah Judges” –

“For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
² I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I will enter into judgment with them there
On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
They have also divided up My land.” Joel 3:1, 2

&

“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
¹³ Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, go down;
For the winepress is full,
The vats overflow—
For their wickedness is great.” Joel 3:12, 13

This is a battle where wickedness will be destroyed, but it is not the final judgment of those who are in the battle. That will occur when all people are brought forth before the throne of God. For now, it is a day where a great battle will occur and the Lord will defend His people, coming to rescue them from utter annihilation. The name of this location is given in verse 16:16, Armageddon. The final description of it is given in Chapter 19. Jesus Christ, God Almighty, will be victorious on that Day.

Life application: There is a battle coming which will make every other battle in human history seem pale in comparison. It is termed the “battle of that great day of God Almighty.” The term “God Almighty” comes from the Hebrew El Shaddai. This revelation of God demonstrates He is unchangeable, and yet He causes change in His creation.

In the books of Isaiah and Joel, He is the destructive power that is transcendent over all things. In Isaiah, we read this –

“Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand!
It will come as destruction from the Almighty.
⁷ Therefore all hands will be limp,
Every man’s heart will melt,
⁸ And they will be afraid.
Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them;
They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth;
They will be amazed at one another;
Their faces will be like flames.” Isaiah 13:6-8

In the day of the Lord, which is coming during the tribulation, the workings of God are as “destruction from Shaddai.” There is both judicial and punitive power and performance in this terrifying name. Because of this, holiness is the hallmark of this revelation of Himself. In contrast to this is the spirits of the demons that perform signs.

These spirits resemble frogs, an unclean animal under the Law of Moses. In other words, they are anything but holy, and they are filled with deceptive signs. The world will be ripe for this judgment when it comes because they will have forsaken the truth and pursued the lie –

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The world will have rejected the “love of the truth” and their only possible means of salvation – Jesus Christ. Because of this, their eyes will lust after the deceptive signs which proceed from these unclean spirits. They will gather together in order to fight against God’s purposes.

In the end, they will perish because of their rebellion. This will come about because they have rejected His word. It is that precious word that tells of God’s saving power as is found in the giving of His Son, JESUS.

Lord God, we pray that You will work greatly now to change hearts from hatred to love. Change minds from deception to the truth. Change attitudes from unbridled emotion to reason and considered thought. Help us to see clearly now, before it’s too late. May You be glorified through the changing of many people from darkness to light. Amen.