Bad Breath - Rumor notes 168

 Revelation 16

12 The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrise. 13 I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs;

Here is a comparison chart to the 6^th trumpet. Some things include elements from previous bowls.

6th Bowl (Revelation 16:12-14)	6th Trumpet (Revelation 9:13-21)
made ready for the kings that come	a voice from the horns (horns represent power)
poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates	four angels bound at the great river Euphrates
Its water was dried up	Free the four angels who are bound
that the way might be made ready	who had been prepared for that hour
the kings that come from the East	the horses and those who sat on them heads of lions
out of their mouths come	Out of their mouths proceed
three unclean spirits, something like frogs	these three plagues – fire, smoke, and sulfur
they are spirits of demons performing signs	power is in their mouths, and tails like serpents fire, smoke, and sulfur
kings of the whole inhabited earth	one third of mankind killed
gather them together for the war	four angels were freed that they might kill armies of the horsemen were 200,000,000
that great day of God	prepared for that hour, day, month and year
God, the Almighty	worship demons and idols which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk
They didn't repent of their works (5th bowl)	The rest of mankind not killed with these plagues, didn't repent of the works of their hands idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and of wood They didn't repent of their murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, thefts
They didn't repent and give him glory (4th bowl)	worship of demons and idols

I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon

The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. (Revelation 9:17-19)

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth. If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. (Revelation 11:4-5)

The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. (Revelation 12:15-16)

Out of his mouth go burning torches. Sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. (Job 41:19-20)

That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.

But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. (Matthew 15:11, 18)

I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8)

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

The king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)

Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?

Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10)

I will execute judgment on Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he has swallowed up; and the nations shall not flow any more to him: yes, the wall of Babylon shall fall. (Jeremiah 51:44)

He humbled you, and allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you didn't know, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh does man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

This is a reemergence of the dragon. Around the end of chapter 13 the dragon goes behind for a time as he orchestrates the emergence of surrogate agents he empowers to carry out his agenda. After that there is little mention of him until this point where it is seen he is the primary origin of this activity of deception and aggression.

We will not go into a detailed examination of this dragon here as that was covered in our study of chapter 12. Those wanting to explore that in more detail can review the notes and recordings of that study. One thing is for certain though, the dragon figures prominently through this entire book as he is the arch-villain in juxtaposition with the hero of this book, the Lamb introduced in chapter 5 where His appearance is greeted with great excitement and enthusiasm by those longing to see the One seated on the throne exonerated.

out of the mouth of the beast

A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:5-6)

out of the mouth of the false prophet

He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived. It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:14-15)

The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:20)

three unclean spirits

This set of 3 parallels the lists of 3 in the 6th trumpet relating to the powers that come from the mouth of the horses.

Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. (Revelation 9:17-19)

By paralleling these we can uncover the following clues from the 6^th trumpet:

The dragon here parallels the breastplate of fiery red and fire.

The beast here parallels the breastplate of hyacinth blue and smoke.

The false prophet here parallels the breastplate of sulfur yellow and sulfur.

The dragon is definitely linked to the color red and associated with fire.

Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (Revelation 12:3)

His sneezing flashes out light. His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning torches. Sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth. There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him. (Job 41:18-22)

Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. (Proverbs 23:31-32)

Red is one of the primary colors associated with Satan and his attributes. It can include implications of anger, pride, self-exaltation, threats and bloodshed.

Red is a parallel of scarlet, one of the main colors used in the sanctuary system. Because the dragon and cohorts operate by deception, these colors will be connected with counterfeiting the meanings of the colors associated with the sanctuary services and materials.

The beast is here linked through the 6^th trumpet to the color blue along with smoke. Hyacinth blue is jacinth which is a deep blue. Jacinth is both part of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest in the Old Testament, and is also identified as one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.

You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shall you make it. (Exodus 28:15)

Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as Yahweh commanded Moses. He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. (Exodus 39:1-3)

You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. (Exodus 28:31)

On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it.

They shall take a blue cloth, and cover the lampstand of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it.

On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. They shall take all the vessels of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame. (Numbers 4:7,9,11-12)

Speak to the children of Israel, and bid those who they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue: (Numbers 15:38)

Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad. (Esther 8:15)

Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. (Ezekiel 23:5-6)

The traffickers of Sheba and Raamah, they were your traffickers; they traded for your wares with the chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traffickers of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traffickers. These were your traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and embroidered work, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made of cedar, among your merchandise. (Ezekiel 27:22-24)

This last passage is in a passage metaphorically describing how Satan originally launched his counterfeit kingdom based on commerce, trading and trafficking to acquire wealth. So it it is fitting that the color connected to the second entity is here associated with trafficking. The first beast conjured up from the sea in chapter 13 is portrayed similar to descriptions of the dragon so that it is difficult at times to even tell the two apart in prophecy.

It is also important to note that the color blue was how the chosen people of God were to differentiate themselves from the nations around them by wearing threads of blue on the borders of their clothing. As with nearly everything associated with instructions given to Moses relating to the children of Israel, this symbolizes vital spiritual truths. Yet by obsessing over the symbols and making them out as more important that the spiritual truths they represent, both people back then and many today get distracted from entering into the kind of rest and connection with God’s heart that all these symbols were meant to convey.

It is believed that the color blue was meant to provide a distinct identity for those chosen by God to represent Him. It is said to stand for purity and truth. (I have not seen support for this but am open to further light.) Nevertheless Satan would be expected to usurp any such symbol to employ in his misleading system diverting attention from the real truth that sets people free.

In the 6^th trumpet symbology, blue is tied closely with smoke. This might relate to the bluish haze witnessed when heavy smoke hangs over the landscape such as from forest fires. This means that all three of these colors are involved in burning one way or another – red being connected with fire, blue connected with smoke and yellow linked to sulphur, one of the most intense fuels that when burned produces very intense heat and light.

The last color linked here from the 6^th trumpet is sulphur yellow. Both sulphur and yellow have significance when it comes to deceiving the whole world as to what is true and godly versus what are subtle deceptions leading to eternal loss. Sulphur is bright yellow, and possibly yellow sulphur could be viewed as a counterfeit for gold – a key element used both literally and symbolically in descriptions of God’s prophetic sanctuary and symbols.

When we read of sulphur in prophecy, it refers to the intensity of God’s passionate love represented as fire. Yet that symbol has been distorted to mean just the opposite of love, so the majority have come to view these references as meaning fierce punishment rather than intense love. Part of the definition of the words translated as sulphur, include the concept of divinity. Sulphur is meant to indicate the intensity of the light of a love so powerful it consumes everything opposing the truth of God’s character of love. This consuming is not because of an agenda of punitive retaliation, but merely describes the natural outcome of rejecting and resisting agape love. This is why the potency of true love can be experienced either as torment or as ecstasy, depending on a person’s disposition.

In this passage the entity paralleled to yellow and sulphur is the false prophet. The confusion over the real meaning of this symbol may be part of why this prophet is false. This false prophet label has not been seen previously here, leaving us to compare how this may resonate with the entities outlined in chapter 13 where the dragon and the beast were already identified.

The problem is that there are two beasts listed there but that arise from different locations, yet both with similarities and differences that are significant. Additionally there is another entity called the image to the beast that is infused with breath and power to come alive and carry out the will of all the preceding entities and compel worship of the beast, presumably the first beast. It is as if each succeeding entity is yet another layer of cloaking over the fact that it is the dragon who is behind all this, yet who wants to avoid being held directly responsible for the fallout and repercussions that will eventually come back with great intensity against those he manipulates to serve his purposes.

The question arises, is this false prophet a new name for the second beast, or is it for the image to the first beast? I am not yet settled on a solid answer for this, for it still seems a bit nebulous as exactly to whom this refers. It could even involve both the second beast along with the image. What is clear is that all these entities share the same goal – to achieve complete control over this earth and eliminate opposition against the dragon who enables them to remain in power over all who dwell on the earth.

Another clue comes from the parallel in chapter 9 describing what transpires under the 6^th trumpet.

By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn't repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn't worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. (Revelation 9:18-20)

This reference to power being in their tails directly connects with prophets. This helps piece together what this passage might be directing our attention towards in this crucial time of history.

The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. (Isaiah 9:15)

When we take a closer look at the context from which this verse is taken, we see a pattern paralleling what we find here in these two corroborating passages in Revelation, the trumpets and the bowls. It reflects the pattern we see repeated throughout Revelation and even all of Scripture, for it has to do with the presentation of light, truth and love and the results of resisting and rejecting truth and instead, embracing error that suits our own agenda more satisfactorily.

At the beginning of Isaiah 9 is a prophecy of the coming Messiah often quoted particularly during the Christmas season. Yet when the kind of Messiah that heaven sends is spurned, the only thing left is for God to respect that rejection, leaving the rejectors of mercy unprotected from violent forces in this world that steal, kill and destroy just like their leader.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this. (Isaiah 9:2-7)

The benefits here are not iron-clad guarantees for all the world, but rather promises of what could be for those who embrace the message, motives and methods of this Son brought to us. Sadly the people upon which this light came to a great extent rejected it, leaving them vulnerable to the consequences of choosing darkness rather than living free in the light.

The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel. All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart, "The bricks have fallen, but we will build with hewn stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place."

Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies, The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies. Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.

Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. (Isaiah 9:8-19)

Notice the contrast of options in this passage. If the true Messiah was accepted along with His ways, disposition and the power of His love and light, the fuel for the fires would be the things used for war. But when He was rejected and spurned in favor of following their own ways and refusing to repent, what ends up as the fuel are the people themselves.

As we studied in the 6^th trumpet, the horses and riders are the enforcers of judgment according to the system of justice invented by Satan. They imitate the colors and language of God's judgments yet are counterfeits because they reject the Lamb's revelation of God and His definition of justice. When we refuse to enter into God’s kind of judgment that heals and restores us, He is forced by our choice to hand us over to Satan’s form of judgment which destroys instead of healing.

Unclean spirits

This alludes to a counterfeit trinity. The dragon masquerades as the Father God. The beast is the son of this intimidating god who receives his power and authority from the dragon. A true prophet speaks on God's behalf reflecting His will. This false prophet images the disposition of the beast, speaking on behalf of the beastly god. These three deceivers using their mouths to deceive victims is in contrast to the three angels speaking truth in chapter 14:6-12.

We can learn more by reviewing passages that mention unclean spirits, particularly the ones relating to their interactions with the Son of Man who had authority over them.

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. He cried with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird! (Revelation 18:1-2)

Yahweh said, 'Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said on this manner; and another said on that manner. There came forth a spirit, and stood before Yahweh, and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?' He said, 'I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' He said, 'You shall entice him, and shall prevail also: go forth, and do so.' (1 Kings 22:20-22)

But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn't find it. Then he says, 'I will return into my house from which I came out,' and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation. (Matthew 12:43-45)

Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!" (Mark 1:23-27)

They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. When he had come out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains, because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him. Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don't torment me." For he said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" (Mark 5:1-8)

All the demons begged him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them." At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea. (Mark 5:12-13)

Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" (Luke 4:35-36)

Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed. (Acts 5:16)

The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. (Acts 8:6-7)