13. unclean spirits like frogs--the antitype to the plague of
frogs sent on Egypt. The presence of the "unclean spirit" in the land
(Palestine) is foretold,
Zec 13:2,
in connection with idolatrous prophets. Beginning with
infidelity as to Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh, men shall end in
the grossest idolatry of the beast, the incarnation of all that is
self-deifying and God-opposed in the world powers of all ages; having
rejected Him that came in the Father's name, they shall worship one
that comes in his own, though really the devil's representative; as
frogs croak by night in marshes and quagmires, so these unclean spirits
in the darkness of error teach lies amidst the mire of filthy lusts.
They talk of liberty, but it is not Gospel liberty, but license
for lust. There being three, as also seven, in the
description of the last and worst state of the Jewish nation, implies a
parody of the two divine numbers, three of the Trinity, and
seven of the Holy Spirit
(Re 1:4).
Some observe that three frogs were the original arms of France,
a country which has been the center of infidelity, socialism, and false
spiritualism. A and B read, "as it were frogs," instead of
"like frogs," which is not supported by manuscripts. The unclean
spirit out of the mouth of the dragon symbolizes the proud
infidelity which opposes God and Christ. That out of the beast's
mouth is the spirit of the world, which in the politics of men, whether
lawless democracy or despotism, sets man above God. That out of the
mouth of the false prophet is lying spiritualism and religious
delusion, which shall take the place of the harlot when she shall have
been destroyed.
the dragon--Satan, who gives his power and throne
(Re 13:2)
to the beast.
false prophet--distinct from the harlot, the apostate Church (of
which Rome is the chief, though not sole, representative),
Re 17:1-3, 16;
and identical with the second beast,
Re 13:11-15,
as appears by comparing
Re 19:20
with Re 13:13;
ultimately consigned to the lake of fire with the first beast; as is
also the dragon a little later
(Re 20:10).
The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, "the mystery of
iniquity," form a blasphemous Antitrinity, the counterfeit of "the
mystery of godliness" God manifests in Christ, witnessed to by the
Spirit. The dragon acts the part of God the Father, assigning his
authority to his representative the beast, as the Father assigns His to
the Son. They are accordingly jointly worshipped; compare as to the
Father and Son,
Joh 5:23;
as the ten-horned beast has its ten horns crowned with diadems
(Greek,
Re 13:1),
so Christ has on His head many diadems. While the false prophet,
like the Holy Ghost, speaks not of himself, but tells all men to
worship the beast, and confirms his testimony to the beast by
miracles, as the Holy Ghost attested similarly to Christ's
divine mission.
JFB.
The Book of Revelation
Revelation 1:9-11 - I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 19:11-16 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 22:18-20 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Painting of St. John the Evangelist by Reni - 1620
Introduction to The Book of Revelation
Brief Summary. John describes the seven churches in Asia, he records the visions that he received, and in the prophecy Jesus returns as the kinsman redeemer to claim this world as His inheritance. The final battle unfolds in a 7 year period through a series of seal, trumpet, and bowl judgements, He casts the antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire and sets up the New Jerusalem, the new heaven and new earth for the redeemed. The book of Revelation is in harmony with the prophecies in the Old Testament especially the ones written by Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah.
Summary of The Book of Revelation
Author. John the apostle names himself as the one who wrote down what the Lord said through the angel. The earliest writers in the church like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria and the Muritorian all credit John the apostle as author of the book of Revelation.
Date. John indicates that he was on the Island of Patmos when he received the prophecy (Revelation 1:9). According to tradition John wrote during the reign of the Emperor Domitian which would have been around 95 AD. Tradition also states that John was released the next year and was allowed to return to Ephesus. Domitian was perhaps the cruelest Emperor toward the Christians, demanding that he was to worshipped as deity, or be put to death.
Audience. John said that the prophecy was directed to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:4).
Outline of the Book of Revelation
Description and Fate of False Teachers - 1:1-16
Encouragement to Believers in Christ - 1:17-25
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
The Book of Revelation Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)