When Jesus returns He will judge the nations to determine who amongst the living survivors may enter the Millennium (Matt.25:31-46). Those who did not accept the mark of the beast and showed favor to the Jews will be allowed; the others will be rejected. But these mortals allowed to enter the Millennium will not have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It will be our responsibility, therefore, to teach them the way and truth of God.
v.7-9 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breath of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
Even in the best of environments like the Millennium man is unable rid himself of that corrupt nature that opposes God; unless one is “born again” and made new in God’s Spirit the sin that leads to death remains.
For when the thousand years ends Satan is released from Hades and able to rally thousands of people “whose number is as the sand of the sea” to move “on the breath of the earth” and surround Jerusalem in an attempt to overthrow Christ. But not a shot shall be fired. This invading army will all be devoured by a fire from heaven—making this the last rebellion of man against God forever and ushering in the final judgment.
The identity of “Gog and Magog” at this point of the Vision is somewhat uncertain. It seems unlikely that this is the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy that Russia will lead such countries as Iran and Libya in an invasion of Israel (Ez.38:2-16) because that invasion seems more probable during the Tribulation (see notes—Rev.14:14-20).
Maybe the answer is as one commentator noted. That “Gog and Magog” is a mystical phrase that signifies “the prince and the people” and therein represents all of the final adversaries of the Messiah led by Satan in person.
v.10 And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Several aspects about hell are clearly answered here and should be noted.
- It’s eternal. The phrase “forever and ever” used in this verse to describe the lake of fire’s torment is the same phrase used elsewhere to describe the throne of Christ (Heb.1:8). So hell is unending as Christ is unending.
- It’s a place of eternal torment. There’s nothing to suggest any future hope of clemency, forgiveness or escape from the lake of fire.
- Unsaved man will be cast into the eternal lake of fire along with Satan and the unrepentant angels. In fact, two humans (Antichrist and the false prophet) are actually cast into the lake of fire before Satan (see notes—Rev.19:19-20).