What do frogs symbolize in the bible?

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What do the “frogs” mean in Revelation 16:13, 14?

What do the “frogs” mean in Revelation 16:13, 14?

Hello L,

Thank you for contacting BibleAsk.

Let’s start with the Bible verse itslef: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet” (Revelation 16:13). Simply put, frogs represent unclean spirits in the sight of God.

Frogs capture their prey with their tongues, which may symbolize the counterfeit gift of tongues that is sweeping the world today. Keep in mind that miracles, including the gift of tongues, prove only one thing – supernatural power. The Bible tells us that supernatural manfistations come from God, but can also come from the devil. Satan, who can pose as an angel of light from heaven (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), will utilize supernatural miracles so effectively that almost the entire world will be deceived and follow him (Revelation 13:3). At the present, he is using the counterfeit gift of tongues to join together churches and religions – including pagans and spirit worshipers.

The original purpose for the gift of tongues was to communicate the gospel to people who spoke different languages. It is not to mutter or babble unintelligible sounds, but rather to have power for preaching. Jesus had promised: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The true gift of tongues is a miraculous ability to speak foreign languages unknown by the speaker who is preaching but known to the listeners (Acts 2:4-12). This gift was needed at Pentecost because 17 language groups were in the crowd and the Hebrew disciples needed to communicate the gospel to them.

The Bible warns that we must test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Counterfeit spirits can be identified if they do not agree with the Bible (Isaiah 8:19, 20) and if they come from one who deliberately and knowingly disobeys God (Acts 5:32).

The links below explain the following:

In His service,

BibleAsk Team

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Anonymous

Stammering lips…. I speak in tongues ..Paul said more than all there is a tongue that speak directly SPIRIT to SPIRIT with God…. not by might or power but by my SPIRIT…it is a spiritual baptism of fire…power….some speak of thing they know nothing about…..when I speak in an unknown tongue my SPIRIT prayers Paul said…..there things our SPIRIT knows…groaning that can’t be understood…read it it in there…proof.
- ProofDirectory
  
  Hello Sir,
  
  Thank you for your comment.
  
  Most Bible students agree that the tongues spoken in the book of Acts were normal languages of the world (Acts 2, 10, and 19). But some add that there is a second gift-a heavenly prayer language. This latter gift, they say, is to express the Spirit’s “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
  
  This doctrine of a prayer language is based on this verse “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14). They interpret this to mean that when Paul prayed in the Spirit, he used a “heavenly tongue” and did not himself know what he was praying. But if this is true how would the supplicant ever know if his prayer was answered?
  
  So, what is Paul really saying in 1 Corinthians 14:14? The problem in understanding this verse comes largely from the translation. If we rephrase the verse it will say: “If I pray in a language those around me do not know, I might be praying with the Spirit, but my thoughts would be unfruitful for those listening.” Paul is saying, we should either pray so others around us can understand or else keep quiet! “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” (1 Corinthians 14:15, 16).
  
  According to this text, who has the problem with understanding? It is the listener and not the speaker as is commonly taught. If you have ever prayed with someone who is offering a prayer in a language unknown to you, then you know what Paul meant when he said it is difficult for you to say “Amen” at the end of the prayer. Without an interpreter, you have no idea to what you are assenting.
  
  It is obvious from the context of 1 Corinthians 14 that the purpose of speaking in tongues, or foreign languages, is to communicate the gospel. If the listeners do not understand the spoken language they cannot be edified. Consequently, if there is no interpreter, the speaker is simply speaking into the air and the only ones present who know what is being said are God and himself. This is the clear meaning of the often-misquoted verse (2) “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
  
  Paul emphasizes again that the languages spoken need to be understood by the hearers “So likewise ye; except ye utter by tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.” “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (verses 9, 28).
  
  http://www.proofdirectory.org/whats-the-purpose-of-giving-the-gift-of-tongues/
  http://www.proofdirectory.org/some-churches-stress-receiving-the-gift-of-tongues-more-than-other-gifts-is-this-biblical/
  http://www.proofdirectory.org/what-does-it-mean-to-speak-in-tongues/
  https://bibleask.org/is-the-gift-of-tongues-a-heavenly-prayer-language-that-is-not-understood/
  https://bibleask.org/whats-the-most-important-gift-of-the-spirit/
  
  God bless you
  - Anastacia Lee Hall
    
    Dear Sir,
    
    I do not pretend to know all things God has intended for us, nor how he will use the gift of tongues at all times, but I do know this, whenever I have spoken in tongues in public, it has more then most been in moaning and groaning of my spirit and often in my heart I have an idea of what is being said.
    
    Once while at a conference I attended with my husband, I began praying in tongues, with tears flowing down each cheek. The next morning as we got on the elevator of our hotel, a gentleman in the back of the elevator said, “It’s you, the black lady that was sitting two rows in front of me speaking in my Russian language saying “Daddy I know you can do it, Daddy I know you can do it.” Of cause I had no idea that I was speaking in another language, but did know my spirit was crying out to God to heal my husband who was on the heart transplant list. And although he was there with others from his country he was the only one that heard me speak in his language. And all of the others that attended had no idea what I was saying. And what I was saying in Russian was not communicating the gospel, but was indeed an affirmation to me that the Holy Spirit was crying out
    to God the very issues of my heart.
    
    I do believe from this experience I will never question how God chooses to use the gift of tongues, but will forever be open to his design for it as he sees fit for the moment. I will however continue to pray for discernment in all matters that I may know what is of him or not.
    
    Thank you for your post, I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel down back to this very defining moment in my life.
    
    Blessings, Gory and Honor.
    ALH
    - ProofDirectory
      
      Hello Anastacia Lee Hall,
      Thanks for your comment. I praise God that you are open for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
      God bless you sister 🙂

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What do the “frogs” mean in Revelation 16:13, 14?