THE LAST REBELLION
Revelation 20:7-10
Revelation 20:7-10
describes the next event that takes place at the end time. The timing of this
event is clearly stated: “When the thousand years are complete” (20:7). This
refers to the 1000-year captivity of Satan and the earthly rule of Christ—the
millennium. It is now complete, finished,
realized, or ended. This opens the door to the last rebellion and doom of
Satan. MacLeod reports:
Revelation 20:7-10
points up the reality of sin in humanity. It contains a prophecy of the very
last sins people
will commit, and it shows the inevitable outcome of those sins. The point of
these verses is that God will use Satan in the closing events of world history
to demonstrate once and for all the depravity and moral corruption of the human
race.[1]
This passage does
not begin with “and I saw,” thus, it
is not a vision but pure prophecy. This prophecy foretells the events of the
end time. Associated with this prophecy is five actions:[2]
SATAN SET FREE (20:7)
“Satan will be released from his prison.” The word released (shall be loosed-KJV) in the Greek means
loosed, to set free, or release. It is used with the preposition “out”, thus to
release out of. The time of this release is after the 1000 years during which
Satan was in prison (the abyss). John reports that Satan “must be released for a short time”
(Rev. 20:3). The word must is a
participle indicating an absolute
necessity. A.T. Robertson calls is a “sad necessity.”[3] The
time will come at the end of the millennium.
PURPOSE: TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS (20:8).
When released, Satan
“will deceive the nations which are in
the four corners of the earth.” Remember there has been no Satanic
influence or activity on earth for 1000 years. During that time, he has not
learned his lesson, nor reformed his ways. His character and desire are the same as it always has been. He
continues to be a rebel and enemy of the people of God. He will deceive the
nations. He does not overpower the nations but deceives them. The word deceive is a
Greek verb emphasizing the main activity of Satan.[4] This
is possible because:
·
There are two types of people living during the
1000 years—those in natural bodies and those in resurrected bodies. Those in
their natural bodies continue to have children. Those in their spiritual bodies
will not be deceived.
·
It notes that the nations will be deceived, not
the nation Israel. Could that be because,
at the second coming of Christ, all Israel is saved (cf. Romans 11:26-27), thus unaffected by this deception?
·
It denotes that human nature did not change in
the millennial rule (cf. Psalm 66:3). It demonstrates
the depravity of human nature. Charles Colson, the prisoner of Watergate fame, concluded:
Violent tendencies are
not an illness. Criminal behaviors are not
symptoms of a disease. . . . The Bible teaches that men and women’s natures
are inherently depraved. Without restraints, sin will emerge and wreak its
havoc on whatever crosses its path.[5]
Pentecost writes:
“Apart from some comprehension of the depth
of depravity of the human heart there is no
understanding how a multitude…could revolt against the Lord Jesus Christ.”[6]
Wiersbe states, “A perfect environment cannot produce
a perfect heart.”[7]
GOG AND MAGOG (20:8)
The event of Gog and Magog is found in some detail in prophecy. This confederacy is found in Ezekiel 38:1-39:25; Daniel 11:40; Joel 2; Isaiah 10:12; 30:31-33; 31:8-9. It is commonly identified with Russia and its allies.[8]
There is a conflict
between the Old Testament prophecy and what is revealed by John. In prophecy,
it indicates it takes place before the Millennium, John places it at the end. Walvoord
points out:
Many contrasts can be
observed between this battle and that of Ezekiel in that Satan is prominent in
this whereas he is not mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39. The invasion of Ezekiel
comes from the north whereas this invasion comes from all directions. Ezekiel’s battle probably occurs previous to
the battle of the great day of God Almighty before the millennium, whereas this
occurs after the thousand years have been finished. The number of those who
rebel against God and fellow Satan is described as innumerable “as the sand of
the sea.”[9]
In addition, Ezekiel
(39:9) indicates a 7 year cleanup from the war. The events of Revelation 20 do
not allow such a time period. Upon the ending of the battle, Satan is consigned to the lake of fire. The judgment of the
White Throne for unbelievers, then the new heavens and earth. All of this
happens in immediate succession.
How can this be
reconciled? Or, can it be reconciled? There is no easy answer. The two events
cannot be reconciled; however, it can be duplicated. Pentecost notes that both
bear the same name “in that the purpose is identical in these two satanically
motivated movements: to destroy the seat of theocratic power and the subjects
of the theocracy.”[10]
MacLeod says,
that Antichrist is Gog
and will be defeated at the Second Coming….
Then at the end of the millennial kingdom the Gog and Magog ‘legend’ is applied
to a new historical situation, with Satan leading the new ‘Gog and Magog.’ Just
as Antichrist fulfilled the Gog and Magog prophecy at the beginning of the
millennium, so the rebellious millennial nation will fulfill it as well, at the
end of the one thousand years.[11]
THE FINAL WAR (20:9)
This is a war where there are no battles. The army of Satan
manage to surround the camp and the city, but they never fight. While they
gather for the battle (meaning armed conflict), they never engage. They
surround the beloved city of Jerusalem (cf. Ps. 87:2), The capital city during
the Millennium (Jer. 3:17). This army never enters the city. We could call this the war that wasn’t.
INTERVENTION OF INSTANT JUDGEMENT (20:9)
Before the enemy could fight, they are wiped out; not by
an army, but by the intervention of God Himself. “Fire came down from heaven
and devoured them” (Rev. 20:9) It is the climax
of the dispensations.[12]
Every dispensation has been building up to this final judgment. The picture of
this event is prefigured in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24).
Satan deceives the nations; God devours them.
Newell observes that
this is the “ending forever the sinning human race!”[13]
THE FINAL DOOM OF SATAN (20:10)
This passage is clearly
based on two fundament truths:
- Satan never reaches his goal to be God.
- Satan is not annihilated. The doctrine of annihilation is unscriptural.
·
His destiny— “the devil who deceived them was
thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone” (20:10a). This is a separate event
from those who followed him. It is also a different location from the abyss
that he was confined during the 1000-year captivity. He is now thrown into the
lake of fire. His history was being cast from the highest point of creation to
the lowest point of judgment and punishment. He will join his two henchmen (the
antichrist and false prophet), who are already in the lake of fire to greet
him.
·
His penalty— “they will be tormented day and
night forever and ever” (20:10b). The fire and brimstone may be picturesque language
but the torment is real. The word torment (basanizo) means suffering, affliction, or
painfulness. This pain and suffering will be
real, lasting day and night forever and ever.
It is eternal suffering. There is no relief! Nor are they consumed by the fire.
MacLeod suggests that one reason for this is that they have resurrected bodies,
not physical ones: “just as the redeemed will have bodies uniquely suited for
glory, these will have bodies uniquely suited for judgment.”[14]
The great enemies of
the believers are ever present with us until the end. It is these end time
events that will forever do away with the devil, the world, and the flesh. These will be condemned and perish in the judgments
of God. In believers, they will be replaced with the new nature of conversion.
We will be transformed by the power of God for eternal glory to enter the new
heavens and earth.
[1] David J.
MacLeod, “The Fifth ‘Last Thing”: The release of Satan and Man’s Final
Rebellion, BIBLIOTHECA SACRA, April-June 2000,
202.
[2] Grant R. Osborne, BECNT: REVELATION, [Grand
Rapids MI, Baker, 2002], 710.
[3] A.T. Robertson, WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT, [Nashville TN, Broadman, 1933]. 6:458.
[4] Grant R. Osborne, BECNT: REVELATION, 711.
[5] Quoted by David J.
MacLeod, “The Release of Satan and Man’s Final Rebellion,” 200-201.
[6] J. Dwight Pentecost,
THINGS TO COME, [Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1969], 551.
[7] Quoted by Thomas Constable, NOTES ON
REVELATION, [www.Soniclight 2008]. 187
[8] J. Dwight Pentecost, THINGS TO COME, 326-331.
[9] John F.
Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, [Chicago, Moody Press, 1966], 301.
[10] J. Dwight Pentecost, THINGS TO COME, 550-551.
[11] David J
MacLeod, “The Release of Satan and Man’s Final Rebellion,” 209.
[12] E.W. Bullinger, THE APOCALYPSE,[London,
Bagster & Sons, reprint 1972], 630, gives a good overall outline of the
plan of the dispensations.
[13] William R
Newell, THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION, [Chicago, Moody Press, 1935], 326.
[14] David J. MacLeod, “The Release of Satan and
Man’s Final Rebellion,” 213.
