When scripture uses the words ‘similar to, or like as’ to describe something, it is not suggesting that these things ARE what they are depicting. From our English language, that should be obvious. But, to many it is not quite so cut and dry. For example, I have read commentators from many years ago that point to the colors of the four horsemen in Rev 6 as nations. Red is China, green or pale are the Islamic nations, black are Asian nations and white, the European nations. This was back when everyone was trying to come up with a different version of prophecy and theories were bouncing all over the place.
The colors are representative of the judgement the rider and horse represent, All nations will be effected when the seals are open. The green or pale color correlates with death, red - bloodshed, black- famine and suffering, white or blanco - the absence of color. White in this particular area of scripture represents the artificial righteousness or (un)holiness surrounding the rise of antichrist. Some will see him as a savior, others will know the evil he represents.
There is also the various interpretations surrounding Daniels four beast that seem to offer different meanings behind the beasts in Daniel's vision, moving them from the ancient era of historical significance into a modern adaptation of understanding. For example I've heard or read where the U.S. represents the beast that was like the lion due to the fact that the lion had the wings of an eagle. A bald eagle is the national bird of the U.S.. The wings represent the 'breaking away' from Great Britain.
In the same sense, the bear (according to faulty interpretation) represents Russia (don't poke the bear), and the leopard represents Germany because they have battle tanks named Leopard 1 and Leopard 2, and Rome is the fourth beast of iron and clay as it was the 'last' empire. Daniels fourth beast is the kingdom yet to come, the kingdom that rises just prior to the antichrist kingdom. This kingdom will be transformed into the eighth, the final kingdom of man once Satan's representative rises among the ten kings or ten horns.
The seven heads are are seven mountains (kingdoms) on which the woman sits. Rev 17:9b
And there are seven kings; five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space. Revelation 17:10
And there are seven kings; (1. Egypt, 2. Assyria, 3. Babylon, 4. Medo-Persia, 5. Grecian), and one is (6. Rome), and the other is not yet come (7. beast with ten horns and seven heads); and when he comes, he must continue a short space.
We must remember not to go beyond what the Bible says and avoid getting caught up in the sensationalism or misinterpretation that seems so common in today's world. I believe this is done with a conclusion already in mind that is European focused. The scriptures becomes twisted to fit into a specifically pre-planned mold. When the Bible is literally interpreted it matches the world today, exactly how it is and what it is becoming. Most don't like it, they want it to mean something different, something they perceive as to be true.
It is quite comical if they were not so serious. Bible students would do well to remember, even the best intentions are not always met with discernment. Bible teachers are as human as the rest of us, and can get caught up in the excitement or taken over by sensationalism. I've noticed this recently with the 2024 eclipse. I'm sure they mean well, but we still need to be cautious to misinterpretation or to those who wish to create sensationalism, get clicks or sell more books.
Let's take a look at Revelation depiction of frog-like creatures:
Pay careful attention to the specific wording of the description given in Revelation of frog-like creatures:
And I saw three unclean (impure, evil, demonic) 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… Revelation 16:13
In the various Biblical translations the wording is the same, frog-like or like frogs, similar to frogs but, not being frogs in the manner of the earth dwelling creatures we are familiar with.
Frogs are not in themselves evil. In fact, frogs are good for the environment, especially your garden. They eat flies, cockroaches, beetles and mosquitoes. Frogs catch their prey from long distances using just their tongues with precision accuracy. They are so interesting to watch on nature shows and they are so fast! They zero in on prey and BAM! it’s lunch time. Nature is amazing. Frogs come in a multitude of colors, sizes and shapes showing God’s love of variety.
God used frogs to punish and inflict judgement upon his enemies. In Exodus, God used frogs against Pharaoh for holding the Hebrew people hostage and refusing to let them go.
And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs Exodus 8:2-7
The ancient Egyptians worshiped (along with hundreds of other things) frogs.
From Britannica: one Egyptian goddesses, named Heqet, a fertility goddess, was represented as a frog headed woman. To the Egyptians, the frog was an ancient symbol of rebirth and fertility. In the Spring, the 'fertile' season, the Nile flooded carrying in rich nutrients needed to grow crops. The fertile season also brought with it a new season of frog life. This is how this cold-blooded amphibian became worthy of worship among the Egyptians.
By using millions of frogs as judgement against a land of frog-worshiping people, God was slapping Pharaoh alongside the head with insults. God often uses the lowly things, the despised things or the small things to confound the mighty and magnify His strength so no man shall boast. I Cor. 1:27-29
A frog is a small thing, a lowly thing, a created thing and all of creation is good.
God’s use of frogs in judgement against Pharaoh:
The Nile will teem with frogs, and they will come into your palace and up to your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and your people, and into your ovens and kneading bowls. Exodus 8:3
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. Psalm 78:45
Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. Psalm 105:30
In the Bible, a frog is just that, a frog, a marsh-leaper, a tiny creature used by God to inflict a judgement. But in the book of Revelation, these are not the normal earth dwelling frogs of creation but frog-like creatures, - (in the manner of, being similar to, of the same kind, looked ‘like’ frogs, but they are not frogs)
When something was to be clarified for our understanding, an angel was present to interpret the passage and explain it for us. This is done several times through the Bible. A verse will further clarify something said in more detail so we can grasp the meaning more clearly.
Scripture explains the nature of these ‘frog-like’ beings:
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. Rev 16:14
Other translations use the term spirits of demons. Both devils and demons are often used interchangeably as they are often characterized to reference the same thing: the kingdom of darkness. Demons is probably the correct terminology in this case, as demons are unclean spirits. Demons are the foot soldiers, doing the bidding of the higher ranking fallen angels in the devils hierarchy of things.
In scripture, the term devil or devils (diablo) generally refers to either Satan or his horde of fallen angels. An angel in its fallen state is still referred to as an angel. Angels didn't magically turn into demons when they fell from heaven; they are still considered as angels even in their fallen state. The angels chained under darkness for their transgressions against women were still called angels. The four angels bound under the Euphrates are still angels. Revelation 9:14 These angels work with a demonic horde. Satan is cast from heaven with his angels, Satan and his angels.... not Satan and his demons.
Demon refers to the earthbound unclean spirits or the lost souls of the Nephilim that emerged after the flood searching for bodies to inhabit. With Nimrod and his large group settling together in the land of Shinar, they didn't have to look very far, explaining the rise in the occult that ran rampant in the Mesopotamia.
Demons are strictly earthbound and cannot transform into humans as the angels can but, they can assume the appearance of animals as we see here. Demons can enter and possess both man and animal as seen by the possession of the pigs in Matthew 8.
From the spoken words that come out of the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet, these ‘frog-like’ spirits of devils or demons will emerge and go forward to contrive and coerce the kings of the earth along with the inhabitants of the earth, gathering them to make war against God in the final battle of Armageddon.
The frog-like creatures in Revelation, whether they be demons or fallen angels, are working in league with the dragon. Satan’s time will be very short at this point so he sends 3 powerful entities to stir up the entire world along with these earthly leaders to complete his work; to war against Christ Jesus.
When I think of these ‘frog-like’ demonic entities I imagine demons or fallen angels like amphibians, cold-blooded vertebrates, reptilian, green or gray alien type creatures with bulging black eyes, wrinkled skinned, smelly and perhaps a bit slimy. These creatures rise from the darkest recesses of the abyss to work deceitful miracles for the great serpent, the dragon.
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