Three Unclean Spirits Like Frogs in Revelation Reveal the Limits of Magicians in Egypt
by Sabrina Dawkins
When God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh in order to free the children of Israel, he said to them, “When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, ‘Shew a miracle for you,’ then thou shalt say unto Aaron, ‘Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent’” (Exodus 7:9). Remember the word “miracle” because Revelation 16:14 indicates that the spirits of devils also perform miracles. The magicians were able to copy the miracle that Moses and Aaron had performed. “But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods” (Exodus 7:12). The second sign God gave was in turning the water to blood. And the magicians of Egypt also turned the water to blood (Exodus 7:22).
The third sign was smiting Egypt with frogs. Remember the number three. The magicians of Egypt were able to copy this sign as well with their enchantments and bring frogs upon the land (Exodus 8:7). Fourth, God plagued Egypt with lice. But the magicians’ enchantments could not bring forth lice (Exodus 8:18). There are limits to the power of devils. The frog is a symbol of the limits of evil spirits because it was the third and last magic act that the enchanters of Egypt were able to copy. When it came to the lice, however, they had to admit, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). And they were unable to match it.
In Revelation 16:13, like frogs, three unclean spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon, beast, and false prophet, which make up the three parts of Satan’s unholy trinity. And those evil spirits work miracles (Revelation 16:14). The number three mentioned in the same sentence as the word “frogs” is to remind us of the signs and wonders God performed and the Egyptians observed, the frogs being the third. He did other signs before this, such as turning Moses’ hand leprous, but these signs were only witnessed by the children of Israel, not Pharaoh, the Egyptians, or the magicians (Exodus 4:29-31).
So Satan’s power is limited; thus, the enchanters through whom he performs miracles are also limited in the magic they are able to accomplish, the unseen hand of demons doing the work. If the sorcerers had the power of God, they wouldn’t have failed to copy the other miracles and plagues God caused after the frogs to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. They were only able to copy three. So Satan’s forces of both humans and evil spirits are not powerful enough to defeat God: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels and prevailed not” (Revelation 12:7-8). And the miracle of producing frogs, the third miracle, is the ceiling of the power of the wicked before God Almighty.