Revelation 16:14

These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The angel narrator identifies the three unclean frog-like spirits that emerged from the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet (v. 13), stating their nature and mission. This occurs at the sixth bowl judgment, the penultimate of the seven.

The words — σημεῖα (sēmeia, "signs") is the same term used for the authentic supernatural acts of Christ and the apostles; here it is assigned to demonic spirits, creating a direct category overlap between genuine and counterfeit.

The thread — The pattern of demonic deception through signs recurs in Revelation 13:13–14 (the beast's great signs), and the assembly for final battle is echoed in Revelation 20:8 (Gog and Magog); 1 Timothy 4:1 warns of "deceitful spirits" in later times.

Why it lands — The verse demands that a reader not treat supernatural spectacle as proof of divine origin; the same word for "sign" is applied to both, so the source must be tested, not the phenomenon itself.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Cross-references

Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
Revelation 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,