Rev 20:7-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 20:7-10: 20:7-10 Satan’s all-out attempt to conquer God’s people is followed by his fiery demise. This passage has two major purposes: (1) to show God’s absolute justice, because Satan and his followers are worthy of punishment and will never change; and (2) to show the depravity of people who follow Satan. In spite of viewing the nature of Christ’s reign in the world for many years, they still flock to Satan’s standard when he is freed. These factors are the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (20:11-15 ). Summary for Rev 20:7-8: 20:7-8 When free to act (20:7 ), Satan still seeks to deceive . He will gather a mighty army (cp. Ezek 38–39 ) in a final attempt to overwhelm God’s people (Rev 20:9 ).

Summary for Rev 20:7-10: 20:7-10 ^a Satan’s all-out attempt to conquer God’s people is followed by his fiery demise. This passage has two major purposes: (1) to show God’s absolute justice, because Satan and his followers are worthy of punishment and will never change; and (2) to show the depravity of people who follow Satan. In spite of viewing the nature of Christ’s reign in the world for many years, they still flock to Satan’s standard when he is freed. These factors are the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (20:11-15 ^b).
Summary for Rev 20:7-8: 20:7-8 ^c When free to act (20:7 ^d), Satan still seeks to deceive. He will gather a mighty army (cp. Ezek 38–39 ^e) in a final attempt to overwhelm God’s people (Rev 20:9 ^f).
20:8 ^g Jewish traditions vary regarding the locations of Gog and Magog. They are symbolically to the north (see Jer 1:14-15 ^h), the direction from which the enemies traditionally approached Megiddo and Jerusalem. The names represent nations and rulers from every corner of the earth that oppose God’s people (see Ezek 38–39 ⁱ).

• He will gather them together for battle: Repeating the earlier scenes in which God’s enemies assemble for battle (Rev 16:16 ^j; 19:19 ^k), Satan here makes a last-ditch attempt to confront God and his forces.
20:9 ^l Again, no battle occurs (see 16:16-21 ^m; 19:19-21 ⁿ), because fire from heaven came down . . . and consumed them as it did Sodom (Gen 19:24 ^o; see also 2 Kgs 1:10-12 ^p; Ezek 38:22-23 ^q; 39:6 ^r). The enemies of God cannot stand against him.
20:10 ^s they will be tormented ... forever: Rebellion against God has eternal consequences. While the concept of unending punishment repulses some, it is the message of Revelation and of Scripture generally that God will deal sternly with sin and rebellion by those who reject Christ’s saving work (see Matt 13:42 ^t; 25:41-46 ^u; John 3:18 ^v, 36 ^w; Rom 2:7 ^x). Perhaps more than any book in Scripture, Revelation illustrates that the unrepentant persist in their rebellion despite the consequences (Rev 9:20-21 ^y; 16:9-11 ^z; cp. Luke 16:31 ^aa). Revelation also emphasizes that God is just and deals with sin as it deserves.