- Rebellion returns and Satan finally defeated: (20:7-10): Although Satan’s intervention is not there during the 1000 years, the inhabitants in the millennial kingdom would still possess the sinful human nature. During successive generations the sin nature is passed to each generation. Although many will come to the saving faith of the Lord, many others would love their sin and reject Christ. Even the utopian conditions of the millennium will not change the sad reality of human depravity. Many will refuse the grace and reject the Lordship of Christ.
After the end of 1000 years, Satan is released, he will set out on his final act of rebellion. Many unsaved descendants who are unmoved by the peace, joy and righteousness of the millennium will be further deceived by Satan. Satan will collect the deceived nations from the 4-corners of the earth (Isa. 11:12) i.e. the rebels come from all over the world and join together and invade Israel, a term used by prophet Ezekiel as “Gog and Magog” (Eze. 38-39). Gog is a general title for an enemy of God’s people. The number of rebels will be like the sand of the seashore. The ideal conditions of prosperity and peace coupled with the long life spans of inhabitants would become a massive population explosion. Vast number of people would join Satan in his final rebellion against God. They surround the camp of saints and the beloved city “Jerusalem” the place of Messiah’s throne and the centre of the millennial world. Here the saints will be enjoying the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ when the attack takes place.
Just like Armageddon, a 1000-year earlier period (19:11-21), the battle will take place and in reality it will be a human-execution. As the rebel forces move into to attack, “fire will come down from heaven and devour them. Satan’s forces will be physically killed and their souls will go straight to abyss (a temporary punishment place) and their final destination would be the lake of fire after the judgement. Satan will be at once defeated and thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone. There he will join the beast and the false prophet, who by that time will have been in that place of torment for a 1000 years (19:20). The punishment in the lake of fire is for eternity (1 Thess. 1:9).