Revelation 20:8

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

And {G2532} shall go out {G1831} to deceive {G4105} the nations {G1484} which {G3588} are in {G1722} the four {G5064} quarters {G1137} of the earth {G1093}, Gog {G1136} and {G2532} Magog {G3098}, to gather {G4863} them {G846} together {G4863} to {G1519} battle {G4171}: the number {G706} of whom {G3739} is as {G5613} the sand {G285} of the sea {G2281}.

and will go out to deceive the nations in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for the battle. Their number is countless as the sand on the seashore;

and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.

and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Commentary

Revelation 20:8 describes a pivotal moment in end-times prophecy, immediately following the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, often referred to as the Millennium. It details Satan's final act of rebellion and deception before his ultimate judgment.

Context

This verse is part of a sequence that begins with Satan's release from his prison after the millennial reign. Despite having witnessed Christ's righteous rule for a thousand years, many nations will still be susceptible to deception. Satan, though bound for a millennium, retains his deceptive nature and immediately seeks to rally forces against God and His people. This sets the stage for the final, decisive conflict described in the subsequent verses.

Key Themes

  • Satan's Persistent Deception: Even after being confined for a thousand years, Satan's nature as a deceiver remains unchanged. He swiftly goes out to mislead the nations, highlighting the ongoing spiritual battle and the enemy's relentless opposition to God's kingdom. This underscores the power of spiritual blindness when hearts are not fully yielded to God.
  • The Universal Rebellion: The phrase "nations which are in the four quarters of the earth" emphasizes the global scope of this final rebellion. It signifies that evil is not confined to one region but can arise from anywhere, demonstrating humanity's fallen nature and susceptibility to sin when given opportunity.
  • Gog and Magog: While these names appear in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 as specific historical or future enemies of Israel, in Revelation 20:8, "Gog and Magog" are generally understood as symbolic representations of all the nations and peoples who ultimately align themselves against God and His saints at the end of the age. They embody the sum total of all ungodly forces gathered for a final, futile assault.
  • Innumerable Foes: The description "the number of whom is as the sand of the sea" is a biblical idiom signifying an immense, countless multitude. This emphasizes the overwhelming scale of the rebellion and the vast number of those who will choose to follow Satan in opposition to God, even after a period of unparalleled peace and righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Gog and Magog" (Greek: Gōg kai Magōg) here serves as a powerful symbol. While in Ezekiel, it refers to a specific northern power and its confederacy, John's use in Revelation seems to broaden its meaning to encompass all the world's rebellious forces. This symbolic usage highlights the ultimate, final conflict between good and evil, representing the culmination of all who reject God's rule. The idiom "as the sand of the sea" is commonly used in the Old Testament to denote an innumerable quantity (e.g., Genesis 22:17).

Practical Application

Revelation 20:8 serves as a stark reminder of the enduring presence of evil and the constant need for spiritual vigilance. Even after a period of peace and divine rule, deception can still find fertile ground. It underscores the importance of a personal relationship with Christ and being rooted in His truth, so as not to be swayed by the schemes of the enemy. Ultimately, this verse also reinforces the certainty of God's final victory and the ultimate defeat of all who oppose Him, as seen in the subsequent verses describing the destruction of the rebellious forces and Satan's eternal doom. It provides a glimpse into the final spiritual battle that will precede the eternal state.

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Cross-References

  • Revelation 16:14 (8 votes)

    For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

  • Ezekiel 38:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

  • Ezekiel 39:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

  • Revelation 20:10 (6 votes)

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • Revelation 20:3 (6 votes)

    And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

  • Hebrews 11:12 (4 votes)

    Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

  • Isaiah 10:22 (3 votes)

    For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.