November 24: LAWLESS PROPAGANDA

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. Revelation 16:14

John turned our attention to these unclean spirits like frogs (v.13), pointing out that they proceed from the mouths of the unholy trinity. As Satan’s powerful agents of propaganda, they produce many persuasive arguments and deceptions as the final battle approaches. You will recall that the last of the Egyptian plagues that Pharaoh’s magicians managed to counterfeit was the frog plague (Exodus 8:7). This was the last successful deception of the magicians, the goal of which was to influence Pharaoh to oppose God by refusing to take seriously the message given to him from God through Moses. Here, these three unclean spirits like frogs represent the evil counterparts of God’s final warning message to the world, given by the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12.  

The gathering of the people of the world for the battle of that great day of God Almighty is the archenemy’s concerted effort to exert his usurped authority before time runs out. The sixth of the final plagues to come upon the whole world will certainly not be billed as a unified effort to go into battle against God. No indeed! It will be a well-written, eloquently presented political plan highlighting the urgent need for improving the world’s ecology and economy. People will believe that they are uniting for “a good cause.” This plan, inspired by Satan, will be put forth by the world’s leadership, the kings of the earth, and will excite much enthusiasm across all cultures and nations.

The multi-faceted political plan is also very religious. Its ecumenism will appear as a great spiritual revival. The idea of demons is dismissed by skeptics, yet the Bible teaches that they are real (Psalm 106:37). Jesus taught of their reality (Matthew 10:8; 12:27-28; Mark 1:34,39; 9:38; 16:9,17; Luke 4:41; 8:27, 30, 33, 35, 38) as did Paul (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). We are taught that the last days will be intensely marked with their convincing deceptions.

Notice also that the second beast of Revelation 13 (vv.11-17), the beast . . . out of the earth, as of 16:13 and forward is referred to as the false prophet. Many spokesmen for apostate Protestantism teach that God’s Law was abolished at the cross, as well as His distinctions between the clean and the unclean, when in reality it was the ceremonial law that pointed forward to Jesus, called handwriting (Colossians 2:14) that was nailed to the cross. The beast . . . out of the sea (papacy) claims to uphold the Ten Commandments, yet subscribes to their own radically altered version of them. In God’s eyes, this is lawlessness (see James 2:10,12).

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work… The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:7a,9

More regarding lawlessness: Matthew 7:23; 13:41; 23:28; 24:12; Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Hebrews 1:9; 1 John 3:4