Revelation Chapter 16
VERSES 12 -16 continued “And the sixth (angel) poured out his bowl upon the great river, the [river] Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that [come] from the east (or sun-rising). 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, as if it were frogs…”
VERSE 14 -- FOR THEY ARE SPIRITS OF DEMONS:
The first word here (“For”) is important. It means (because). The thought seems to be that these teachings are unclean because they are the work of demons. It is clear from history (Daniel 10:13, 20) that the demons have had a part in the administration of various empires (from behind the scene). They do not want their powers to pass away and will, therefore, do all in their power (which is great) to prop up and maintain the old order. Thus these “spirits” (teachings or proclamations, in order) to maintain the status quo are the inventions of the spirit world bringing on the most dangerous and deceptive time of the harvest here at the end of the age.
PERFORMING SIGNS:
THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, ALL THE LORD’S TRUE CHILDREN NEED TO TAKE HEED
Remember Brethren we are talking about things which are shortly to transpire here if not in our life time in our children’s life time, for “The Time is at Hand”.
It is to be expected that we will see the unexpected -- manifestation from the spirit world in support of the old order which, if we were not well --informed, would deceive us, it will NOT be a time to believe the eyes and ears, but rather the promises. (1 Cor 3:13)
Remember that during this age (the Gospel Age) we walk by faith and NOT BY SIGHT (2 Cor 5:7) there is absolutely no indication anywhere in the scriptures that the Lord is going to change this method here at the end of the age. In the next age the world will have the actuality however presently we have only the promises (the Lord's Word on the matter, that is suffice.)
The following are three crucial scriptures, which properly understood are deemed critical to the Lord’s children in overcoming the deceptions soon to befall the world.
TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED.
It is important that all the Lord’s true children take special note to the following scriptures, the original editor of this presentation merely referred to them, but we would like to present them here, because we see them not only as pertinent to our victory, but also to our ability not to fall prey to the deceptions which are coming shortly upon the whole world. The time is short my friends very soon the darkness of the night will elope this present world, and then we will find it very difficult to converse one with another as freely as we do now, soon the “four winds” will be let lose, and the spirits once confined in “age-lasting chains under darkness” will once again be loose upon the world even as they were previous to the flood. This release is a part of the divine purpose (Jude 6) and so it is with this knowledge that we feel compelled to remind you of our Lord’s warning to us all of what lies ahead so that we are prepared and not over taken.
Our first scripture comes from:
MATTHEW CHAPTER 24
VERSE 24 “For false Christ and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”
How great will these deceptions and lying wonders be?
So great that if not for the fact that the elect having been forearmed by the truth on this as well as on other aspects of God’s plan involving the overturning of the old order, and the events soon to transpire that even they would fall prey (be deceived) by these deceptions. That is how great these deceptions shall be.
The implication is most positively clear and evident; EVERY ONE else (not of the elect) regardless of their professions will be deceived in one-way or another, this will likewise include many of the Great Company class.
Remember there are two groups who compose the Great Company Class, typified by Elisha, those who have kept close to Elijah (the “Little flock”) and so are acquainted with “present truth” thus somewhat prepared for what is to come, and those who have been adrift in the wilderness condition this and/or are still “Babes” trapped in Babylon totally unaware of the impending trouble or hour of deception approaching.
Note the Lord’s special warning to his people in regards to this in the next verse,
VERSE 25 “See I have told you beforehand”
As stated, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, none of the Lord’s people who are fully awake, and who have heeded his warnings in respect to these things should be caught off guard by these lying wonders, none should be found later saying:
‘Lord I did not know that these things were going to take place, I thought it was you performing these wonders, had I known it was not, I would have been better prepared to resist these deceptions’
If you succumb to these deceptions it will be your own fault, none will be without excuse.
We wail take a look at the next warning in our next post.
