Keraia
Revelation 20

Revelation 20:8

Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire · Revelation 20:7–10
Read Revelation 20

Translations

Modern
…and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together unto the war, of whom the number of them is like the sand of the sea.
Latin
Et ascenderunt super latitudinem terræ, et circuierunt castra sanctorum, et civitatem dilectam.

Original

Greek
English
…and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.

Notes

Revelation 20:8

  • Jewish traditions differ on where Gog and Magog are located. Symbolically, they are to the north (see Jeremiah 1:14–15), the direction from which enemies traditionally approached Megiddo and Jerusalem. The names represent nations and rulers from all over the earth that oppose God's people (see Ezekiel 38–39).

  • to assemble them for battle: This repeats earlier scenes where God's enemies gather for battle (Revelation 16:16; 19:19). Here, Satan makes a final attempt to confront God and his forces.

Revelation 20:7–8

When Satan is free to act (Revelation 20:7), he still tries to deceive. He will gather a large army (compare Ezekiel 38–39) in a final attempt to defeat God's people (Revelation 20:9).

Revelation 20:7–10

Satan's attempt to defeat God's people ends with his fiery destruction. This passage has two main purposes:

  1. to demonstrate God's complete justice, as Satan and his followers deserve punishment and will not change; and

  2. to highlight the corruption of those who follow Satan. Even after witnessing Christ's rule for many years, they still join Satan when he is released.

These reasons form the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11–15).

Revelation 20:1–10

This passage has three parts:

Four themes emerge:

  1. Satan's war is pointless—he cannot resist even an angel;

  2. God’s holy people will be justified and honored;

  3. God will achieve the final victory; and

  4. even when sinful people experience Christ’s good purposes, they still follow Satan when he gains some freedom to act.

Revelation 19:11–20:15

The drama reaches its peak: God's enemies face defeat and punishment in two episodes (Revelation 19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful enjoy a 1,000-year resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).

Places

Gog: A symbolic enemy of God's people in prophetic literature Magog: A nation that will attack Israel in the future

Glossary

Book of Revelation Corners of the Earth, Ends of the Earth Eschatology Gog Hades Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Lucifer Magog Millennium Suffering

Topics

Gog: A Scythian Prince: Prophecy Against Magog: Symbolical of the Enemies of God Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning Russia Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Devil: The Wicked: Deceived By Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment