6th bowl and angel. 16:12-16 V.12 g) Soldiers from the east curse - I. The 6th angel pours his judgment on the River Euphrates that became blood in verse 4; this bowl causes the River to dry up so the kings of the East can pass over to Israel. II. The River Euphrates is a river that begins in the Armenian mountains and ends in the Persian Gulf; it has a course of about 1,700 miles. III. The River Euphrates were the cradle of Civilisation Gen.2:14 and will also be the grave of the Civilisation. IV. In the Old Testament the Lord prophesied that the River Euphrates would dry up in the last days. Isaiah 11:15-16; Zech.10:11 V. Now a dry way is prepared for the army of the East, they will rise up against and attack Israel. Dan.11:44-45 VI. A great dam is built in Syria across the River Euphrates that could dry up the river at any time. V.13 h) Spirits of deception - I. 3 unclean spirits come out of the triune evil unity. II. The spirits look like frogs, perhaps because of their long tongues of deception. V.14 i) Signs of deception - I. The task of the 3 demons is to convince through deception the whole world, why they should join in the war against Israel. 1.Kings 22:21-23 II. They will use even signs to convict the world, because these demons are spirits their signs might be of spiritual nature. III. The Devil is using these 3 demons to gather the world in war against the Jews, but God is actually allowing it to bring judgment upon this ungodly world system. Zeph.3:8; Joel 3:2 IV. It’ s not only the kings of the east that goes into battle against Israel v.12 but also the kings of the earth. v.14 V. As the Spirit of God is sent into all the earth to bring man to Christ 5:6, so these 3 demon spirits are sent into all the world to gather man to join the war of Satan. V.15 j) Stand Strong - I. The 2nd Coming is coming as a thief in the night for the unbelievers. 1.Thess. 5:2, 4 II. Judgement comes suddenly during His Coming. Matt.24:36-44 III. 2 things to do as they await His 2nd Coming: A. Anticipation - Watching is to be spiritual awake and expect His soon return. Matt.25:1-30 B. Action - Keeping the garments is to continue believing in Christ. IV. Falling away from Christ will cause nakedness and shame before God and man. V. It could also be a word to believers in the Church age to remain faithful until He comes in the Rapture. V.16 k) Soldiers at the Armageddon - I. This is the only reference to Armageddon in the New Testament. II. Armageddon means: Mountain of Megiddo. III. Megiddo means: Place of troops or place of slaughter. IV. Megiddo is a high place in the Carmel mountain range; it was a walled city that was difficult to conquer. V. The valley of Jezreel or plain of Esdraelon lays beside Megiddo and the valley is about 14 by 20 mile. VI. In the south of this valley of Jezreel the high place of Megiddo stand and at the east end Mount Tabor stand. VII. Many important battles where fought here during the Old Testament. Judges Ch.4-5; 7; 2.Chron.35:20-27 VIII. In this region of Megiddo there will be a great future battle. Psalms 2:1-3; Joel 3:2; Zech.12:2-9, 11; 14:1-3 IX. Not all the armies of the world can be in this valley so they probably face Israel from many other borders. X. Christ will appear during this great battle and destroy all man in this army. The elaboration of this verse can be found in Rev.19:11-21.