Still, why do we hear of “Gog and Magog” at the end of the 1,000-year Messianic Kingdom? As described in the symbolic Book of Revelation—an attack will be made on Jerusalem, the “Beloved City,” by “Gog and Magog.” (Revelation 20:8) However, this host is not the same as those who attacked Jerusalem previously. (“Gog and Magog” are symbolic of God’s ancient enemies just as are “Babylon” and “Jezebel.” Revelation 18:2,10; 2:20) When Satan is loosed after the Thousand Years of his binding (Revelation 20:1- 3,8), he will attempt to deceive the fully resurrected and blessed world of mankind. God will allow this final temptation on Mankind. Passing that test will assure them eternal life.

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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 they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:7-9)

However, really only a small minority gathered from the “four quarters of the earth”—called “Gog and Magog”—will rebel against God’s Kingdom. Why? Because the majority of mankind whose great number as originally promised to Abraham will then be “as the sand…upon the sea shore.” (Genesis 22:17). The vast majority will not be deceived. They will have been brought into heart harmony with all the principles of righteousness. They will have accepted the Kingdom’s earthly administrators—as Judges and Princes. This majority of mankind will have come into the bonds of Israel’s New Covenant—blessed by the seed of Abraham. (See also Hebrews 8:8-13)

The rebels—a small minority who will be deceived by a desperate Satan—will join the attack against the “camp of the saints,” the earthly administrators of the Kingdom in Jerusalem. But God will quickly destroy that rebellious attacking host. And Satan, as prophesied in Scripture, will be crushed and destroyed. (Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14) Then peace will reign forever in God’s Kingdom!