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The Reformation Herald Online Edition

The Great Day of God

Editorial
“Frogs vs. Faith”

John the Revelator describes something intriguing from the divinely-sent vision given him on the isle of Patmos. He writes: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:13, 14).

Three unclean spirits

The three unclean spirits will come from three distinct sources—the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They pour forth what they have in mind, and they operate in tandem. It would be nice if they had something good in mind, but unfortunately, they do not. These are the spirits of devils—they are hell-bent on evil.

But that’s not all: They are sly and sneaky. We know this because they can work miracles by supernatural power, something impressively dazzling to human sight.

But that’s not all: They are so adept at what they do, they can convincingly go forth unto the kings of the earth. Kings are typically individuals who are somehow gifted and intelligent enough to be able to lead the rest of the population. But worldwide leaders will be swayed by these spirits of devils.

But that’s not all: These spirits of devils go to the whole world. They are to deceive not only the kings, but nearly everyone else, too.

But that’s not all: They bring them all together to go to battle—the final, decisive battle known as “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

The battle

This is a very solemn matter. When the Bible couples the word “God” with “Almighty,” it is quite serious. The Lord’s messenger was shown: “God’s holy name should be used with reverence and awe. The words God Almighty are coupled together and used by some in prayer in a careless, thoughtless manner, which is displeasing to Him. Such have no realizing sense of God or the truth, or they would not speak so irreverently of the great and dreadful God, who is soon to judge them in the last day. Said the angel, ‘Couple them not together; for fearful is His name.’ Those who realize the greatness and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in light unapproachable; no man can see Him and live. I saw that these things will have to be understood and corrected before the church can prosper.”1

With such a warning, it is with fear and trembling that we even refer to this battle by using the same words written in Scripture, simply because that is how they are written.

Yet it is very important that we understand all these matters. The final battle is soon to come, and every single human being will be on either one side or the other. We’ll either be under the influence of the “frogs” led from beneath or be holding onto Christ by faith.

By God’s grace, “we are not left to battle unaided against the prince of darkness. As we realize the attacks of the enemy, we shall feel the need of fleeing to the stronghold, we shall learn to lean upon the Mighty One. He will be to us as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, as a covert from the tempest. Deep and fervent will be the gratitude of him who experiences the help of God in times of temptation and trial.”2

May this firm holding onto God be our experience in the days to come. Amen!

References:
1 Early Writings, p. 122.
2 The Bible Echo, December 1, 1892.