July 31, 2022

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. Revelation 16:12

The first five of the final plagues are literal, but the last two are described in symbolic terms. As we look back to the conquest of the ancient, highly fortified city of Babylon, we are reminded that Cyrus the Persian king drained the Euphrates River, making an easy entrance for his troops to enter and conquer the city of Babylon. Cyrus, referred to by God as “My shepherd” (Isaiah 44:28) enacted a foreshadowing of Christ as conqueror at the end of time. John’s vision in Revelation refers to the support of the masses “drying up” because the impotence of the beast has been exposed. All the hollow promises of world peace are seen for what they really are: shams! “The waters which you saw, where the harlot [Babylon] sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” (17:15)

The reference, kings from the east—once a reference to Cyrus and his allied kings—draws a picture of Christ and His followers (see Revelation 1:6) united as conquerors.

With the exposure of the weakness of the beast system, and the subsequent loss of support from the people, the beast system will rally under Satan’s power, and deceptions on a scale as never before will be brought about to regain support...

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (16:13-14)

This “unholy trinity” is rapidly coalescing now. Beloved, already our enemy the devil has deceived billions of people. Jesus warned about this (Matthew 24:24). Paul called the deception “unrighteous” and points out that God allows it. But those who cling, for the love of God, to His truth will come all the way through to the end: victorious in Christ. As growing, maturing followers of Christ, knowing His word empowers us to recognize the enemy’s counterfeit works.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11