The revolt of the Millennium rebels Revelation 20v8-9.
We have already stated that the purpose of allowing Satan to be loosed was to reveal the incurable wickedness of the heart of man. It also reveals the incredible wickedness of Satan, who, having been bound helpless for one thousand years persists in his evil ways that he has done from the beginning of time. This period of time of one thousand years is for a very definite purpose because verse 7 commences with the phrase "when the thousand years are expired (finished). The purpose could be said to show a number of things; the hardness of the human heart, the extreme wickedness of fallen angels, the wonderful lavish grace of God to all, and finally the power of God to bring all His purposes to a conclusion.
- Consider first the ability of Satan to deceive the minds of men. "He shall go out and deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth." From the very beginning he has been the arch deceiver. He deceived the first woman Eve in Eden (Genesis 3v2-6). The New testament confirms this deception in 2nd Corinthians 11v3 and 1st Timothy 2v14. In Luke 22v3 it is recorded that "Satan entered into Judas surnamed Iscariot being of the number of the twelve." This man has just spent three and a half years in public service with the Son of God and with the other eleven apostles. The devastating truth is that Satan was able to take over his heart after all this. In 2nd Corinthians 4v3-4 it is recorded that he is active today in blinding the minds of them that believe not. In 2nd Corinthians 11v14 he is said to be "transformed into and angel of light." He can enter the hearts of people at will and blind their minds who are not subject to the Lord Jesus Christ. His powers of deception are incredible and have lasted as long as time itself, and now, even after imprisonment for one thousand years, he is able to go forth into the world and deceive the nations from all parts of the earth.
- Gog & Magog. This is the name given to the people in the millennium who will be deceived by Satan to rebel against God and think to overcome the Lord Jesus Christ and so gain the earth for themselves. The term "Gog & Magog" are undefined in the chapter, but it appears before in Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39. What is described there is different to Revelation chapter 20 for there will be other rebellions previous to this final one in the millennium. It appears that Gog is the name of the ruler and Magog describes his followers. The footnote in the Amplified Bible in Ezekiel chapter 38 is helpful, "Gog is a symbolic name, standing for the leader of the world powers antagonistic to God." Such is the antagonism of this rebellious group, and, such is their number, that they gather together to take on the armies of the living Christ. Their number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the "breadth of the earth" and they were allowed to encompass the camp of the saints. The expression "the camp of the saints" is a military term and suggests that the forces of Christ were arrayed against them outside Jerusalem. The place where they will gather is described as "the beloved city" which can only be Jerusalem. God allowed them to surround the gathered saints and the eternal city. And then it was all over, fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them, and so the final revolt was over. There was no battle, God finished them like He finished Sodom and Gomorrah. The message is loud and clear to anyone who will listen; do not oppose the living God!
Countless millions of people who experienced and enjoyed millennial bliss, perished in a moment. They were blessed beyond measure by the beneficence of God, and they chose to follow Satan to his doom, which will be our next consideration. In a short blog such as this it is impossible to convey the astonishing scenes described here; I pray the readers will ponder long these epoch-ending events of world history.
Amazon bookshelf George Neilly
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