Revelation 16: 12-16

Turning his attention momentarily from the 2nd coming, John takes us back to pre-probationary time.

In preparation for the final battle, the dragon (the devil), the sea beast (papal Rome) and the false prophet (apostate Protestantism) unleash their propaganda. (Here, we see for the first time, the earth beast being designated as the false prophet; figuratively, a deceptive character who seduces people to side with and worship the unholy trinity.)

John states that the satanic trio’s propaganda comes from frog-like, demonic spirits. In other words, like frogs, the information is unclean. In addition to their verbal persuasions, Satan enables the spirits to work signs and wonders.

This  propaganda effort by Satan is his last counterfeiting of God’s handiwork during pre-probationary time. The three frog-like spirits’ message is a false gospel intended to counteract the three angels’ message of Rev. 14: 6-12. The purpose of all this deception, of course, is to to persuade and enlist the world’s secular and political authorities to form as a mighty force against God and His people.

In the midst of this prophecy, John inserts Jesus’ words that His coming will be like a thief; in other words unexpectedly. Jesus doesn’t want us to waver. He wants us to keep on the garments of loyalty, faithfulness, and righteous deeds at all times.

During this time of preparation and gathering for the final battle, it will do to also heed His words in Luke 21: 34-36, in which he tells us to not let the worries of this life cause a drunken sleep. He says to pray for strength and stay alert. If we heed this advice and follow His ways and commandments, we will not be deceived into siding with and worshiping Satan.

And make no mistake about it. Satan will have success. He will persuade the secular and religious powers of this world. This will result in Him being able to gather them for the battle at Armageddon, which means the Mountain of Megiddo.

Megiddo, a famous Jewish battlefield (Judges 5: 19; 2 kings 23: 29), was a city located in the northern part of Israel. It was located in a plain. It didn’t have a mountain. The Mountain of Megiddo probably refers to the mountain closest to Megiddo: Mount Carmel, the site of the well-known conflict between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 kings 18: 20-40).

It appears that John uses the term Armageddon to simply symbolize the final cosmic conflict in which the true God is identified. In fact, that is the very same issue that was on display on Mount Carmel. What Elijah proclaimed then is the same for the end-times: “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18: 21).

The battle of Armageddon, an earthly, spiritual, end-time war, has its roots in the war that began in the Garden of Eden and that has continued since then. Armageddon is simply the final conflict of the war; a battle between Satan’s agents and God’s end-time, remnant people who obey God’s commandments (with a unique faith on the 4th) and wh hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12: 17)

Armageddon is not a political nor military battle. It is part of the overall war that is a spiritual conflict waged to win the minds of people. During the battle, people will ultimately give their allegiance to either the true God or the false god. That is why the three unclean spirits are released. Their mission is to spread a false gospel and message to counteract the three angels’ message that contains the true and everlasting gospel.

Yes, there is physical force involved in this battle, but that is on the side of those who align themselves with the beast. Coercion is not a weapon in the hands of God’s warriors; however, resistance is. Their instruments of war are prayer; faith; the spreading of the gospel; witnessing; and making disciples.

The sixth plague introduces the closing of earth’s history, by which it shows the post-probation preparation for the final coming battle between God and Satan. The actual battle follows the sixth plague and is described in Rev. 16: 17 thru 19: 11-21.

Satan’s three frog-like spirits are also post-probationary, and will be so successful that Satan will be able to persuade the secular and religious powers of the world to gather for the great day of God. On that day is the climax of Armageddon. It is when Jesus physically joins the battle. Armageddon ends at His Second Coming.

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I did an earlier piece on Armageddon. Click here to read it.