No matter how many unsaved survivors existed at the beginning of the Millennium, far more will populate the earth at the end. For they will multiply and have life-spans more like those of the pre-flood patriarchs. “And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed” (Isa. 65:20).
Therefore many will never die during those 1000 years. They will have abundant opportunities to receive Christ as their personal Lord. Furthermore, they will experience the manifold blessings of His direct rule over a renewed, increasingly healthy, and demon-free earth.
Yet they will still be born in mortal bodies with sinful natures. So when Satan gains his release after 1000 years, he will find great numbers of unrepentant unbelievers to deceive.
Satan loose again
“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.” (Rev. 20:7-8)
I find it puzzling that many scholars place the Gog-Magog rebellion in various time-frames before the Millennium. Revelation 20:7-10 places it clearly afterwards. While Ezekiel 38-39 describes the war in far more detail, it does not indicate any time-frame different than Revelation’s.
In fact, it follows a millennial passage, Ezekiel 37:15-28. And it sets the Gog and his multinational troops against Israel. Here we see Israel as a “land that is restored from the sword” where people “are living securely”, as Israel is during the Millennium (Ezek. 38:8).
Israel needs no walls at that time. Everyone lives an abundant, peaceful and unthreatened life of blessing under Christ’s rule.
Abundant life vs. widespread death
But Satan “comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Unfortunately, Satan deceives many to prefer his ways.
They “come against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates, to capture spoil and to seize plunder…” (Ezek. 38:11-12).
Their army will get as far as where the city wall will be, but no further. God Himself will act as their wall and their defender.
“…they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 20:9-10)
This rebellion had become so widespread that it takes seven months to bury the bones of the dead. And seven years to burn their weapons as firewood (Ezek. 39:9-16). After this final cleansing of the land, the stage is set for the Last Judgment.
ETG articles related to Gog-Magog rebellion:
Is there hope for those who are left behind?
Related sources for Gog-Magog rebellion:
Affirming Israel’s borders: Scripture & history
Bible supports Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
Keyword: Gog-Magog rebellion
Peace prevails until Gog-Magog rebellion:
