v. 7-10 – Satan’s Final Overthrow – evil enemies gather against God – destroyed

 

v. 7 – After 1000 years, Satan is released TO DECEIVE the Nations once more (final). An angel doesn’t release him.  He is just released – symbolic 1000 years.

 

v. 8 – Satan’s purpose is stronger than ever – He is released to Deceive nations.  HE does this – doesn’t send frog demons to do his deeds this time.  Gog & Magog – all the nations against God – symbolizes the forces of evil.  Bible accounts

Gog – in genealogy (1 Chron. 5:4) – prophecy (Ez. 38-39) and Revelation 

Magog – in genealogy (Gen. 10:2; 1 Chron. 1:5) – the land where Gog came from (Ex. 38:2)

Later Jewish apocalyptic writings – all evil forces in general

In Rev. – John refers to hosts of wicked of all the earth – Gog and Magog

Satan gathers the greatest number of forces possible as his army against God.  This is the final battle of evil vs. God (17:14; 19:19).

 

v. 9 – The huge evil army surrounds the camp of God’s people and the “beloved city” (contrast wit “the great city”).  A very threatening situation – We are poised for a great battle to begin – but – doesn’t happen.  Like 19:19-21 – John jumps right to the annihilation of the wicked.  Fire came down from Heaven and “consumed them” on the spot.  John shows the power of God as so overwhelming that nothing can stand against Him – God wills to destroy evil and it is destroyed.

 

v. 10 – The Devil – “who had deceived” them (the nations) was thrown into the “lake of fire” to join the beast and the false prophet already there.  There is torment forever – no intermission and no end.

 

 

v. 11-15 – The Last Judgment – The Great White Throne

All the dead are judged – the final overthrow of evil in creation including death and the grave.  Ch. 6-19 is the judgment of God in history – Here – the judgment of God on History

 

v. 11- A Great White Throne – majestic and awesome – and God on the throne – “He who sits on it” (5:1, 7, 13).  Father judging through the Son (Jn. 5:22).  The Creator on the throne, awe and power can be sensed.  So ominous that the earth and heaven flee from His presence.

 

v. 12 – The dead, small and great – none omitted – all the dead are here.

The books are opened (Dan. 7:10) – no explanation given or needed – deeds of the people!

They were judged based on their works or deeds done while alive (N.T. thing)

Another Book – The Lamb’s Book of Life, is opened.  The names of all to whom God has given Eternal Life through the sacrifice of the Son, Jesus Christ. 

 

The sea and death and Hades (the grave) – even give up their dead – all dead included for all history – wherever they are – wherever they died – all are a part of this great judgment – all humanity who ever lived and died.  All are judged according to what they had done!

v. 14 – The beast, the false prophet and Satan himself have all been thrown into the lake of fire – Now death and Hades are thrown in with them.  Death and Hades are now just as powerless as any other evil leader.  There remains no power except God’s power.  All else is powerless “This is the second death.”

 

v. 15 – Anyone whose name is NOT found in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire – the Second Death. 

Clear distinction between the saved and the lost.  It’s a black and white conclusion – either Heaven (life) or Hell (death) in the lake of fire forever.  The choice is ours.