Title: Stay Away from Idolatry
Revelation (68) Avoid idolatry
(Revelation 16:12-16)
< Satan's Attack Weapon >
The text describes the sixth bowl judgment among the seven bowl judgments. When the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, the water dried up, preparing the way for the kings from the east (verse 12). According to the concept of the Hebrews at the time, the Euphrates served as a boundary dividing the 'Eastern nation' or 'Eastern region'. The fact that the waters of the Euphrates were dry means that the invasion of the Eastern countries became easier.
Then three unclean spirits like frogs came out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet (verse 13). The Jews consider frogs to be dirty and unclean animals. Among the ten plagues that Moses brought upon Egypt, the second plague was the plague of frogs. So the Jews considered frogs to be a catastrophe. Augustine considered frogs to be the most shameful creatures that repeat meaningless sounds.
These three unclean spirits, like frogs, work miracles, seducing the kings of the whole world, and gathering them to the battle of the great day of Almighty God (verse 14). Where do I collect it? They are gathered to Armageddon in the final battle of mankind (verse 16). At that very moment, the Lord will come like a thief, and blessed is he who wakes up and does not show his shame (verse 15).
To say that the three unclean spirits come out of the mouths of Satan's trinity, the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, means that Satan's most powerful weapon is lies. The primary purpose of Satan's lies is to make him value other things more than God and lead him into idolatry. When a person indulges in idolatry, his mind becomes confused, he causes all kinds of diseases and tribulations in his body, mind, and life, and he becomes addicted to and bondage to what is evil.
"Avoid idolatry"
Stay away from all idolatry that puts you before God and loves you more. Sometimes even miracles or abilities can be idols. See how the kings of the whole world, who belong to Satan's miracles, are plunged into war (verse 14). How many people are chasing after miracles like that and lose God and their true faith? Many people flock to them when they say miracles happen, but that's a trap. Therefore, you must be as careful as possible not to be deceived by the idolization and commercialization of miracles.
For believers, the basic concept of a miracle should be clear, that life itself is a miracle. A true miracle can save someone's life, but it's never flashy. Beware of miracles that do not presuppose love and humility. Due to their ignorance of not knowing true miracles and their greed to pursue vain miracles, many believers today are deceived by the staged miracle that kills the soul rather than the true miracle that saves the soul, and they fall into idolization and commercialization of miracles. For those who do not know that life itself is a miracle, and do not know that it is the greatest miracle of love, a miracle can be a harbinger of death and ruin.
It's only a matter of time before your life is ruined if you keep pulling the slot machine after you hit the jackpot at the casino slot machine. Even after experiencing a supernatural miracle like that, a life that continues to pursue supernatural miracles will eventually be ruined. If you dwell on the ‘miracle of God’ more than the ‘God of miracles’, your life will lead to bondage and destruction.
It is futile and dangerous to flock to miracle meetings and healing meetings that claim to bring miracles and healing. In the Gospels, after miracles and healings, Jesus turned away from the crowds. Contrary to this, miracle and healing propagandists magnify and propagate miracles and healings once they have occurred, and even manipulate miracles and healings, attracting crowds. Just by looking at such scenes, you can quickly discern, but if you do not exercise such discernment and are deceived, hardships, trials, and bondage will not leave your life for the rest of your life.
Don't get too excited by the uncanny supernatural, but be deeply moved by the steady progression of life. Instead of going to a healing meeting, go into your closet and plead with God in tears. When you go to a healing meeting with someone who says they will heal you, how much can God feel betrayed and hurt your heart when you see someone who cheated like that? Then, “God! Do what you want! If you die, I will die.” and choose to die with dignity. Rather, the best way to live and the best way to heal will be opened to a person with such a heart.
These days, the forces of evil are more prevalent and seemingly growing bigger. However, the rise of evil is not evidence that Satan's power has grown in its origins. It is merely a proof that the end times have come and the day of the Lord's coming is near. Therefore, whenever you see the rise of evil, prepare to meet the Lord with more loyalty and faithfulness. When you believe in God like that, don't believe in frivolous or humble faith, but believe firmly and believe in dignity like a true child of God.