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In the foreginng verses an account was given of the subject upon which the sixth vial was poured out, namely, upon the river Euphrates. Here we have an effect that followed thereupon, namely, a war-like expedition, or gathering to battle.
Where note, 1. The principal commanders in this battle, namely, the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
2. The instruments employed and made use of by them, who are here said to be, for their nature, spirits, for their quality, unclean, for their number, three, for their similitude and resemblance, like frogs; namely with respect ot their original, they breed of corruption, and in great numbers swarm and and croak in all places, and live both in the water and upon the earth: by all which many interpreters understand emissaries, missionaries, negotiators, solicitors, and legates, sent forth and employed by antichrist for the support and strengthening both of him and his kingdom, by soliciting the kings of the earth to join together in a battle against the church.
Behold here how the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, do send forth all their emissaries, and employ all their instruments, do stir up princes, and engage them in battle, to withstand the reformation of Christians, and the conversion of the Jews: I saw unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and go forth to the kings of the earth to gather them to battle.
Observe farther, The actins here said to be performed by them, namely, their working miracles by the power of the devils; that is, such wonderful things as Satan can sometimes produce, or at least delude people's senses, and make them believe that they are produced and effected by him.
Where note, That the advantage which the false church makes of a pretended power with her to work miracles, the Spirit of God both here and elsewhere 2Th_2:9 makes to be a badge of antichrist and his followers: They are the spirits of devils, working miracles.