Part V
Revelation 16:12, 13
It is after the six of these very damaging judgment messages have
been delivered, opening the way for the "kings of
the east [from the sunrising]," that the
"dragon" moves to consummate his war against the "seed of the woman."
(Revelation 16:12, 13)
We notice that the "dragon" is not very secure now. He seeks
an alliance with the [leopard-like papal] "beast" and the "false prophet"
[with "two horns of a lamb, and spake as a dragon"].
The Dragon |
The Leopard-Like Beast |
Two-Horned Beast |
We read:
"And 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."
These frog-like utterances are defined as "the spirits of
devils." This is interesting, because more than the "serpent" himself
is involved here. It seems like the demon spirit world is all united with the papal power
as well the Church of England and the "dragon."
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Here we find
"Satan" who went about like a "roaring lion" now croaking like a
"frog."
Does this tell us that he will shortly be bound and cast into the
"bottomless pit"?
Revelation 16:19 says of this miserable alliance that croaks like
frogs:
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"And the great city was divided into three parts
["beast,"
"false prophet" and "dragon"], and the cities of the nations
fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the
wine of the fierceness of his wrath."
This marks the defeat of the coalition as they fall divided and
helpless.
The Last Look at
This Unholy Triumvirate
In Revelation 19:11-21 we have the final description of the battle
between Christ with his "armies" in "heaven" and his steadfast
opponents, the "beast," "false prophet" and the "kings of the
earth, and their armies." This describes the last battle before the devil is defeated
and placed in the "bottomless pit."
The battle line is clearly drawn between the "King of Kings and
Lord of Lords" together with his "armies in heaven" against the papal
"beast," the Church of England "false prophet" and the "kings of
the earth, and their armies."
We notice the title of "dragon" is dropped in this scenario.
Why? Because the "dragon" is not "cast alive" into the "lake of
fire" as are the "beast" and "false prophet." The
"dragon’s" forces are depicted separately from the devil himself.
"The kings of the earth, and their armies" are, in fact,
representing the "dragon" but they will only be destroyed as opponents of the
"King" and soon will become subordinate to our Lord. The Scriptures make this
fine distinction here to show that two parts of the opposition are "cast alive"
into the "lake of fire" [the second death], while the "kings of the earth,
and their armies" are only dispatched as enemies.
The false religious systems will be destroyed forever and never will
they be permitted to rise again. However, the devil will only be restrained in the
"pit" until the time that God wishes to loose him.
Adam and Eve
in the Garden of Eden |
Just as Adam and Eve were tested by the devil, so mankind, when the Mediatorial reign of
Christ is complete, will stand before God, as did Adam.
Mankind will be able to attain human perfection while some may still
harbor a latent sympathy for sin.
God will manifest the true heart condition of each person.
Those sympathizing with sin will be revealed and destroyed.
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When the devil is loosed, he will go forth to call
those identified as the seed of the serpent (Genesis
3:15). His children will hear his
voice and be beguiled by his subtle deceptions. Just as Eve was deceived, so some of
mankind will think they are justified in compassing the "camp of the saints about
[ancient worthies in their temporary dwelling place]." (Revelation 20:9) These
deceived ones, as well as the devil, will all meet the same end in the "lake of
fire," the second death.
The "dragon" is said to be "bound" and cast into
the "bottomless pit." (Revelation 20:2, 3) We cannot help but notice that the
"dragon" is not released from the "pit." Only "Satan" is
said to be loosed. (Revelation 20:7)
While it is true that there will be some form of
government on earth when Christ ends his reign, it will not be under Satan’s control
and hence the "dragon" description is not used.
Here we see Christ and his Church victorious. All the powers of sin
and darkness will be finally dealt with. That will close forever the chapter of sin and
evil in the world. It is said of Christ: "Of the increase of his
government and peace
there shall be no end" (Isaiah
9:7).