Tom Lowe
11/5/17
Book of Revelation Commentary
Lesson: V.B.1: Satan Released to Deceive the Nations Once More (Rev. 20:7-8)
Scripture (Rev. 20:7-8, KJV)
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Introduction
Here is the last rebellion of Satan and man against God. This rebellion following the Millennium reveals how terrible the heart of man is. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it,” (Jeremiah 17:9). You and I do not know how vile we really are. We just cannot bring our old nature into subjection to God, “because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). When Christ reigns, He is really going to be a dictator—you had better stay in line or else. But they do not like staying in line; therefore, when the opportunity is offered to them to rebel, they rebelled. The nations of the earth again will come under the spell of Satan and will plot a rebellion.
Commentary
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
The long, blissful ages of the Millennium roll by, but as in every dispensation, a test must be given to bring to light the secrets of men’s hearts. We are told of Satan’s dramatic appearance on earth. John says, “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” Imagine the fury of the evil one in his constricted cell. Picture a mighty jungle lion caged in solitary confinement, when suddenly the door of the cage is thrown open. With a mighty bound, the beast leaps out of his cage, shaking his mighty mane and roaring until the mountains shake. With furious lashing of his tail and a ferocious appearance, he looks angrily around for something or someone on which to vent his rage. Thus Satan bursts out of the pit. He has lost none of his cunning with the passing of the years. He knows exactly what to do; for one thousand years he has plotted his revenge. Men are still men, and sin is still sin; and he knows very well how to bring the two together; and he will strike out at both God and man; he will make a mockery out of this Millennium and show it up as just another pious fraud. He is back, and sin once more can blaze up in human hearts. The kindling is there, stacked and dry, and he has the fire.
It has been argued by some that good parenting and good environment produce good children, and that poor parenting and poor environment produce bad children, the conclusion being that a good society will produce a generation free of strife, immorality, and poverty. But this argument is disproved at the close of the Millennium. The one thousand year reign of Christ will begin with ALL redeemed people. No unsaved person will enter the Millennium (Isaiah 60:21{2]; Joel 2:28). But during the Millennium children will be born to saved people, and then after having been born and reared in a perfect moral and spiritual society, they will be easily deceived by the devil, choosing to follow him while they turn their backs on Christ. Evil nature, whether confined in a prison or subject to righteous rule, does not change. The leopard cannot change its spots. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
In verse 7 we learn that when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be set free for a season, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog{1]. Evil seems to always fight against God. The battle of Armageddon was not enough; after one thousand years these evil nations prepare for battle under the prodding of Satan. Why? As final proof that the heart of man is desperately wicked and can be changed only by God’s grace.
Immediately, Satan will “deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth” by leading them into their last battle?this was Satan’s purpose all along. The unbelievers still on the earth after the battle of Armageddon will have lived through the thousand year reign of Christ, but as soon as Satan is set free, they will be deceived and ready to gather . . . for battle. This reaction demonstrates that Satan will not repent. It also shows that people rebel against God no matter how long or how many chances they are given to repent. The source of rebellion against God comes not from the environment or even from Satan himself but from within the HUMAN HEART.
His purpose in deceiving the nations is the same as it has always been. When he led some of the angels astray he desired to overthrow God. He suggested to Eve that God was unfair, knowing that if she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; she would be a little god. Satan demonstrated jealousy in the Garden of Eden. He accused God of being jealous, not wanting Adam and Eve to have knowledge, while all the time Satan himself was jealous of God.
At the close of the Millennium, Satan goes to the nations, deceives millions, “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Who would dare to estimate the number of grains of sand by the sea? This vast army will be made up of people born during the Millennium. Do not forget that Israel and the nations who befriended her will be in their natural bodies for one thousand years, and there will be millions born during the Millennium who will never have known temptation because Satan will be in the pit throughout the thousand year reign of Christ. Throughout the Millennium righteousness has reigned. The golden age began with a population on earth of soundly saved people, filled with the Spirit, living according to the precepts of the Sermon on the Mount. But, as the years come and go, countless children are born, disease will be banished, and death will be exceedingly rare. The Millennium will be the time of earth’s greatest population explosion, because the curse will be removed from the physical earth, thereby yielding its greatest food production.
Children born during this age will be born with sinful natures, and they will need to be saved, just as today. Children of believing parents today sometimes become “gospel-hardened”; but, during the Millennium many will become “glory-hardened.” They will submit to Christ’s rule and to the stern laws of the kingdom because to rebel will mean instant punishment. During the Millennium, many will render only pretended obedience. Psalm 18:44 says, “As soon as they shall hear of me, they shall obey me”; [yield feigned obedience unto me] thus many will abide by the laws of the kingdom only because they have to. Sin will reign in secret in their hearts, and they will long for the time when the strict rules will be relaxed. The devil will find fertile soil in their souls.
The names “Gog and Magog”{1] symbolize all the nations of the earth that join together to battle God. [Men have not known the arts of war for a thousand years; but now the master craftsmen is back, and it will not take them long to learn.] Noah’s son, Japheth, had a son named Magog (Genesis 10:2). Ezekiel presented Gog, of the land of Magog, as a leader of forces against Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). This comparison is used in Revelation, as is so much other Old Testament prophecy, because of the similarity of evil forces battling against God’s people and God’s cataclysmic victory. In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel revealed how Israel (God’s people) would be restored to their land from many parts of the world. Once Israel became strong a confederacy of nations from the north would attack, led by Gog of the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38:1-2{3]). Their purpose would be to destroy God’s people. It might be that Gog will be a person, or Gog might also symbolize all the evil in the world. Whether symbolic or literal Gog represents the aggregate military might of all the forces opposed to God. Many say that the battle Ezekiel described will occur at the end of human history, but there are many differences between the events described in Ezekiel and the final battle of Revelation 20. For instance, the army in Ezekiel 38-39, invades from the north, while this one comes from the “four corners of the earth.” These two events are related, however, inasmuch as in both battles, Israel is the focal point. In this case, Jerusalem (“beloved city,” Psalms 78:68; 87:2) will be the target. God will deal with this revolt very quickly and efficiently, and Satan will be cast into hell. Regardless of when this battle will occur, the message is clear: God will deliver His people. No enemy (even an enemy from the “four corners of the earth” and as numerous as the “sands of the sea” will be able to stand against His mighty power.
Scriptures and Special Notes
[1} The “Gog and Magog” here are not necessarily the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38-39. While the names are the same, the conflicts differ as to time, location, and participants. The battles, however, are the same in nature, that is, Satan inspires men to war against God. The war in Ezekiel 38-39 relates to Gog and Magog I, and the reference here in Revelation 20:8 is to Gog and Magog II. Although the names are the same this is a different war, the last rebellion of Satan. Just because the two events involve the same names does not mean they are the same.
[2} “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:21).
[3} “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” (Ezekiel 38:1-2).
