The Final Defeat of the Devil - Revelation 20:7-10

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and . . .  the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7–10, ESV)

We were already told that Satan had been bound in the abyss “. . .  so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.” (Revelation 20:3, ESV).  We now know why he will be released. He will be gathering his cohorts to do battle.  This is the same battle as the one described in 16:13–16 and 19:17–21. The gathered armies are called Gog and Magog. "The reference to Gog and Magog deliberately directs readers to think about Ezekiel’s prophecy of an Israelite battle in which a northern enemy led by “Gog” whose land is “Magog” is utterly defeated." [1]  "In the passage which we are studying ‘Gog and Magog’ are identified with ‘the nations which are in the four corners of the earth’. This expression, however, does not mean the most distant nations. The term ‘the four corners of the earth’ simply means ‘the whole world’. The entire wicked world is going to persecute the Church. The opposition will be world-wide." [2]

This is a world-wide battle.  A world war of unbelievable proportion.  John writes that they "surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them." [3]  "The allusions to Ezekiel continue in vv 9–10. Ezekiel provides the unique parallel of the multitudinous, end-time enemy (38:15, 22) that will “ascend upon the land” (Ezek. 38:11, 16 [ἀναβαίνω]; 39:2; Targ. Ezek. 38:9) and be judged by fire from heaven (39:6) and by “fire and brimstone” (38:22)." [4]  In keeping with the symbolism of the Book, the camp of saints and the beloved city can only mean the people of God, the Church. This is synonymous with the "whole world" doing battle against the Church.  

"This battle turns out to be as much a nonbattle as the one of chapter 19." [5]  The enemy is destroyed by fire and the deceiver will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur.  The eternal consequences of rebellion from God are described as being "tormented day and night forever and ever." [6]

Father, the world, particularly Your Church is facing perilous times.  Your Beloved people are and will be the object of great derision and even death.  Yet we know the end.  The time will be short, comparatively.   Satan will be destroyed.  No more sin.  No more sickness.  Thank you for letting us see the final chapters.  Without this knowledge we would be a people with little hope.  But You are God and You have set Your King on Zion, a Kingdom that can never be destroyed.  

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1. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (377). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 194). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

3. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Re 20:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

4. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (1026). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

5. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (378). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

6. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Re 20:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.