Revelation 20:7-10

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.  And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 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.

It seems strange that after a thousand years of captivity Satan would be released once again.  What is even stranger is that after a thousand years of peace and prosperity on earth there would be such a large multitude to join him in that rebellion.  The only thing that is not strange in this passage is the result of that rebellion being judgment and annihilation.  

SATAN’S RELEASE: At the end of the thousand-year Millennial kingdom, Satan will be released for a short period of time.  The purpose of this release is simply to demonstrate how corrupt the heat of man really is.  Throughout history God has been progressively revealing more of Himself to mankind.  We have a greater revelation available to us than the Old Testament saints had.  The saints during the Millennium will have greater revelation than we have.  Christ will be physically present with them on the earth.  Additionally, they will experience peace and prosperity at an unprecedented level.  Even so, the corruption in man’s heart is so strong that there will be many who reject the revelation of Christ and choose to align with Satan.

SATAN’S REBELLION: Satan has just been tormented for a thousand years.  God has demonstrated His complete control over the universe and Satan has experienced the torment of God’s punishment.  Satan does not somehow escape from prison; God releases him.  One would think that after such a horrific experience, Satan would admit defeat, repent, and beg God for mercy and grace.  Instead, Satan immediately sets off to rebel against God and deceive the nations.  This is a part of his fallen nature.  He is a deceiver and he hates God and those who follow God.  He is also a destroyer, so he gathers all the rebellious unbelievers and seeks to attack those who are worshiping Christ.  The population during the Millennium will likely be massive due to prolonged lives and prosperity throughout the world.  All those born during the Millennium will need to choose between trusting and following Christ or continuing in their sin and trusting in their own “goodness.”  Amazingly, many will reject Christ and join in Satan’s rebellion.

SATAN’S RESULT: This will not end well for Satan and those who follow him.  As they surround the camp of the saints and the city of Jerusalem; they will think they have the upper hand.  They are mistaken.  God will send a supernatural fire down from heaven that will consume all those who are gathering to make war against Jesus.  Satan will then be permanently bound and cast back into the lake of fire where he along with all who follow him will be constantly tortured separated from God forever and ever.  God has the power to put down all rebellion against Him at any moment.  He graciously waits so more people will have time to repent and place their faith in Christ.

APPLICATION: Respond in faith to all the revelation we have of Christ.  Beware of Satan’s tactics to deceive and destroy.  Guard our hearts from this danger and recognize that many who live around us have fallen under his influence.  Rest in the assurance that our Lord is greater than all the evil that Satan and his followers can muster.

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