Stay Awake | Daily Devotion
12 “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance. 13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
16 And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
Revelation 16:12-16 NLT
Here John describes the sixth bowl judgment – God’s wrath setting up a battle of annihilation, by drying up a river so armies can walk through without being hindered.
Again, sometimes I think people miss identifying how funny God is.
Honestly, if you have a sense of humor, you have received it from God.
It’s almost as if He is asking all who have been cursing Him wanting power over Him, “You all want to fight? Ok. Let’s go. I will make it easier for you. Let’s see how you do.”
The One who is all-powerful, entertaining the foolishness of idolatrous people.
He makes a way.
So with the sixth bowl judgment poured out, the Euphrates River dries up so that the kings of the east can march toward the west without hindrance.
This bowl, therefore, drew the kings and the armies toward Israel.
What we need to remember is that there is a lot of spirit behind movement. There is the Holy Spirit, drawing people to obey Jesus and to love their neighbors as themselves – there is the Holy Spirit here witnessed in drawing the kings and the armies toward Israel to battle.
But then the apostle John tells us he sees three demonic spirits that looked like frogs come forth from Satan’s mouth, the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
It’s interesting how they came forth from their mouths – meaning Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet all spoke something and it was vile and commanding. The apostle John in describing the evil spirits, visually likened them to frogs which were ceremonially unclean. Therefore, the demonic spirits, whether visibly seen or felt were unclean and vile
Therefore with spirit behind movement, we know the Holy Spirit is behind holy movement, while demonic spirit is behind demonic movement. Holy movement is entirely lined up with God and His word, while demonic movement is carnal, immoral, defiant to God, prideful, and deceptive.
The apostle John says these demonic spirits worked miracles, deceiving people and they went out to all of the rulers of the world to gather them to battle against the Lord on the great judgment day of God the Almighty.
They successfully persuade and manipulate people against the Lord.
But then the apostle John hears Jesus Christ’s voice and writes down what He says, “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed” – Revelation 16:19 NLT.
So, while these demonic spirits are seeking to work people against Jesus Christ, Jesus speaks.
That’s power.
Jesus speaks out before His second coming, warning it will be unexpected. He alone has that ability – to warn and still surprise.
He says there is a blessing for those who are watching for Him, those who are ready for His return – the blessing is eternal life with Him in heaven.
There is a lot of love in these words of Christ, speaking out while people are hurting, though still defiant – we see in these words, “For God so loved the world.” He’s calling out, His return is near.
Then the apostle John tells us the demonic spirits gathered the rulers and their armies to a place called Armageddon.
Friends, we need to stay awake. Jesus Christ is returning, so the sleeping church needs to wake up—Ephesians 5:14; and the Christian who “woke up” needs to not fall back asleep but to “stay awake.” As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-11 NLT, “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come as unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, my dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
How do we do this? We abide in the presence of the Lord, for that’s the only way we will obtain lasting zeal. It is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Him speaking directly to our hearts regarding our life that ignites a fire from within that cannot be burned out by anyone. When Jesus Christ is our best friend, we rely on our constant communication with Him, we look for His return and keep our heart, soul and mind ready.
How else do we remain ready? By way of community. When we Christians gather together in fellowship, discipleship and with a purposed mission our hearts are united with a love for Jesus Christ and furthering His Kingdom here on earth. When one heart’s on fire, it ignites another. So, do not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming again is drawing near—Hebrews 10:25.
Will you pray with me?
Abba, thank You for sending us Jesus Christ and for His consistent love. We ask Lord for You to stir the hearts of sleeping Christians to wake up for their salvation is nearer now than when they first believed, and we ask for You to draw every prodigal back to Yourself reminding them of Your love, and for every Christian alive in You to encourage and motivate each other to love and good works. In Jesus’ name, Amen.