Robertson Word Pictures - Revelation 20:8 - 20:8

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Robertson Word Pictures - Revelation 20:8 - 20:8


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

To deceive the nations (planēsai ta ethnē). First aorist active infinitive of purpose of planaō, Satan’s chief task (chapter 12 to chapter 18, in particular Rev 12:9; Rev 13:14; Rev 19:20; Rev 20:3, Rev 20:10).

Which are in the four corners of the earth (ta en tais tessarsi gōniais tēs gēs). Clearly the reign with Christ, if on earth, was not shared in by all on earth, for Satan finds a large and ready following on his release. See Rev 7:1 (Isa 11:12) for “the four corners of the earth.”

Gog and Magog (ton Gōg kai Magōg). Accusative in explanatory apposition with ta ethnē (the nations). Magog is first mentioned in Gen 10:2. The reference here seems to be Eze 38:2, where both are mentioned. Josephus (Ant. I. 6. 1) identifies Magog with the Scythians, with Gog as their prince. In the rabbinical writings Gog and Magog appear as the enemies of the Messiah. Some early Christian writers thought of the Goths and Huns, but Augustine refuses to narrow the imagery and sees only the final protest of the world against Christianity.

To gather them together to the war (sunagagein autous eis ton polemon). Second aorist active infinitive of purpose of sunagō, a congenial task for Satan after his confinement. See Rev 16:14 for this very phrase and also Rev 17:14; Rev 19:19.

Of whom (hōn - autōn). Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Rev 3:8 and often (of whom - of them).

As the sand of the sea (hōs hē ammos tēs thalassēs). Already in Rev 13:1. Clearly then the millennium, whatever it is, does not mean a period when Satan has no following on earth, for this vast host rallies at once to his standard.