Excursus 06 – From the face of God into the lake of fire – the four stages of Satan.




Satan in heaven.

Satan on the earth.

Satan in the bottomless pit.

Satan in the lake of fire.


Satan in heaven.

Satan was an angel of God, this is a fact all interpreters undoubtedly agree upon. And to be more precise, not some angel, but as emerges from Job 1,6, he was among the "sons of God" and we can proceed from the assumption that he himself was a son of God, too.

In Job 38,4-7 we find the first hint at the fact that these sons of God – or "morning stars" as they are also called here -, were already present when the earth was created.

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.

Job 38,4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 38,5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 38,6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 38,7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38, 4- 7;


The text below from Isa 14,13-14 is addressed to the "king of Babel". But obviously it is not Nebuchadnezzar who is meant by it, but the king of Babel of the last days, whose power makes us recognize the Babylon of the Revelation and who is nobody else but the "great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan" (Rev 12,9). He is "the beautiful morning star", who wanted to ascend above the stars (angels) of God and who wanted to make himself like the Most High.

I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high.

Isa 14,13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; 14,14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isa 14,13-14;


Here below, in Job 1,6, we learn that Satan came before the Lord among the sons of God. In answer to the question of the Lord "Whence have you come?" he says, "From going to and fro on the earth". And from the following discourse between God and Satan a thing or two can be learned about the relationship of the two to one another.

When the sons of God came before the LORD, Satan also came among them.

Job 1,6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

1,7 The LORD said to Satan, "Whence have you come?" Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 1,8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 1,9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nought? 1,10 Have you not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 1,11 But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." Job 1, 6-11;


We perceive on the one hand that God was very proud of his servant Job. He praises him, "..there is none like him on the earth..". It also seems as if God wanted to point out this fact just to Satan not without any reason. For as we learn later on, when Satan and his angels are defeated in heaven by Michael and his angels and are thrown out of heaven, it was he who accused men day and night before God.

The accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Rev 12,10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Rev 12,10;


And we realize also here, in Job 1,9-11, that the Devil only was aiming at accusing Job before God. He picked him to pieces and prophesies God that Job will let him down immediately as soon as God takes away his blessing hand from him.

So, we can perceive so far that Satan was a son of God, a beautiful morning star, and a guardian cherub, but that he in spite of his perfection and beauty – or perhaps just because of that - developed the ambition to rise above his Creator.

In addition, it becomes clear from Job 1,9-11 and the following passage from the Scriptures Zech 3,1-2 that he had developed into the accuser of men. He does not have mercy and he does not know love. He has known since Adam and Eve that man is weak and sinful. And he also knows that God cannot tolerate sin. That is the reason why he accuses men relentlessly.

And Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

Zech 3,1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 3,2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?" Zech 3, 1- 2;


We learn an interesting detail in passing from the two texts in Zech 3,2 and Jud 1,9. In both passages from the Scriptures Satan is facing angels of God. And although the Devil is scolded by his antagonist in both cases, neither the "angel of the Lord" nor the archangel Michael dares to punish him. Maybe this is a consequence of his still persisting status in heaven as a son of God.

The archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses.

Jud 1,9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." Jude 1, 9;


Satan on the earth.

We could notice above that Satan developed more and more into an opponent. He was quarreling with the other archangels and he obviously did not miss any opportunity to accuse men who had found favor in the eyes of God – and apparently the number of those men was not exceedingly high even as early as in those days.

But by means of this strategy Satan caused something else as well. He achieved a split among all the angels. No matter if he now actively strove to convince his fellow creatures of his views, or if they themselves deemed his actions good – they backed him in any case, and thus were in opposition to God and the remaining angels.

We now learn from Jn 12,31 and 14,30 that in the meantime Satan has become the "ruler of this world". So, he had and has all power and authority over this, our world.

Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out.

Jn 12,28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 12,29 The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 12,30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 12,31 Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out. Jn 12,28-31;


Also the fact that Satan, as can be seen below, in Lk 4,5-8, offered Jesus the dominion over the whole world trying to make him falling away from God, presupposes, of course, that he is the prince and ruler of this world.

To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me.

Lk 4,5 And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 4,6 and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 4,7 If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours."

4,8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’" Lk 4, 5- 8;


But it was bound to happen that Satan and his angels apparently became more and more "rebellious". This finally led to an untenable situation. It had to come to a fight between the two groups. And it was clear from the start who would win this fight, and who would be thrown out of heaven. Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that as well when he announced his Disciples in Jn 14,28-31 that he would go to the Father.

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming.

Jn 14,28 You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 14,29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 14,30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 14,31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence. Jn 14,28-31;


In Rev 12, 3-9 things have come to the point where the archangel Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and his angels. And here we also learn that it was a third of the angels who had joined Satan.

Satan lost this fight and was thrown out of heaven down to the earth with all his angels.

His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven.

Rev 12,3 And another portent appeared in heaven; behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads. 12,4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; Rev 12, 3- 4;

The dragon and his angels were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

Rev 12,7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 12,8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

12,9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Rev 12, 7- 9;


As we can perceive especially from the texts from the Gospels this event took place during the lifetime of Jesus on earth. The Lord says in Jn 14,30, "… the ruler of the world is coming" and in Jn 12,31, "… now shall the ruler of this world be cast out". In the texts below, Lk 10,18 the Lord says then already, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.". And in Jn 16,11, "… because the ruler of this world is judged".

I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Lk 10,17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" 10,18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Lk 10,17-18;

He will convince the world concerning judgment: because the ruler of this world is judged.

Jn 16,7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 16,8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 16,9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 16,10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 16,11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. Jn 16, 7-11;


We find the proof of the fact that the heavens are from that time on free from satanic forces, which are opposed to God’s will, in the Scriptures, in the text from Rev 12,10-12 following upon the one about the fight in heaven:

Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come.

Rev 12,10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 12,11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12,12 Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" Rev 12,10-12;


But we can also conclude from the prayer, which the Lord instructed us to pray, that God’s will is already done in heaven. In the Lord’s prayer "Our Father" the Lord Jesus himself prays:

Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Mt 6,9 Pray then like this: Our Father who are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Mt 6, 9-10;


For the formulation "… On earth as it is in heaven" implies that God’s will is already done in heaven. But this would not be completely the case if Satan and his angels were still there. Consequently it proves that at that time Satan is not in heaven any more with his angels.

And in order to preclude misunderstandings: In the Greek original text it does not say "Your will be done in heaven and on earth", which could lead to the wrong supposition that both things would lie still in the future, but explicitly "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". And this simply presupposes that the will of the Father is already done in heaven.

However, men will experience the fulfillment of this petition only thousands of years later, after the sound of the seventh trumpet. Only then also the kingdoms of the world will be also the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ.

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.

Rev 11,15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever." 11,16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 11,17 saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were, that you have taken your great power and begun to reign. Rev 11,15-17;


Even though Satan and his angels are now defeated in the fight with Michael and the angels of God and are thrown out of the heavenly dimensions, in particular the text above, in Jn 16,11, indicates that the actual victory over Satan has not been achieved in the fight in heaven. This fight was only an execution of the judgment. Satan has already been judged. The decisive battle was fought by our Lord here on earth, on Golgotha. And he won that battle in a way as a battle has never been won before. He defeated the enemy by his own death. For, as long as sin was undefeated in the world, man was separated from his God.

As sin came into the world and death through sin.

Rom 5,12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned. Rom 5,12;

And sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.

Jam 1,14 but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 1,15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. Jam 1,14-15;

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1Jn 3,7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous. 3,8 He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1Jn 3, 7- 8;


But the Lord defeated sin by his death, and thus he took the power away from the one who had hold on the sin: the devil.

Through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

Hbr 2,14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 2,15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. Heb 2,14-15;


But with that also a fundamental change of the relationship between men and their God set in. The "Condemn them, for they are guilty" of Satan was replaced by the "Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" of the Son of God. The accuser was chased away – now we have an advocate sitting on the right of God.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star!

Isa 14,12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! Isa 14,12;

(See also Table 09: "God’s plan of salvation and its effects on Creation.")


Satan in the bottomless pit.

Satan is now banished to the earth with his angels. He is the ruler in the air and "the god of this world" (2Cor 4,3). And indeed, he still has enormous power among the "sons of disobedience" (Eph 2,2).

There is no material weapon against these powers. Neither worldly power nor human intelligence protects the unfaithful from their influence. Only and solely the belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in his expiatory death for our sins can protect and save us from the "world rulers of this present darkness" (Eph 6,12).

V

The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.

2Cor 4,3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4,4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. 2Cor 4, 3- 4;

The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

Eph 2,1 And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins 2,2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Eph 2, 1- 2;

The world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the places under the sky.

Eph 6,12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the places under the sky. Eph 6,12;

The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.

1Pet 5,8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 5,9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 1Pet 5, 8- 9;


This is the status quo so to speak, the present state of the world. But Satan does not give up. Shortly before the Millennium he will try to attract the whole power of this world. And he will also succeed in it. He will finally be the autocrat of this world with two creatures, whom he adapts especially for his purposes and whom he invests with his power and authority, and who will "bewitch" the entire unfaithful mankind by signs and wonders.

And the dragon stood on the sand of the sea.

Rev 12,17 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. Rev 12,17;

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea.

Rev 13,1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems upon its horns and a blasphemous name upon its heads. Rev 13, 1;

Men worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast.

Rev13,3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth followed the beast with wonder. 13,4 Men worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" Rev 13, 3- 4;


The first creature, the first "beast" is the Antichrist. He will work miracles and will force the world under his control by the power and authority, which is given to him by Satan. The second creature, the second beast, is the false prophet. He is a servant of his lord, of the first beast, and will make men to worship an image of the first beast as God.

(See also Chapter 03: "The Great Tribulation.")


Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth.

Rev 13,11 Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 13,12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. Rev 13,11-12;


And then he will start a repeated attempt to gain power again in heaven as well. He knows that the "gate" of heaven is Israel and Jerusalem on earth. Jerusalem was, is and will always be the city of God, no matter if it is inhabited by saints or by Gentiles. The one who seizes Jerusalem, has shown that he can defy God. And this is exactly what Satan will try to do in the last days. He will gather a huge army from all over the world and will go to war against Jerusalem with it.

Three foul spirits issuing from the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.

Rev 16,13 And I saw, issuing from the mouth of the dragon and from the mouth of the beast and from the mouth of the false prophet, three foul spirits like frogs; 16,14 for they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 16,15 ("Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed!") 16,16 And they assembled them at the place which is called in Hebrew Armageddon. Rev 16,13-16;


Armageddon is the name of the place in Israel, where Satan will assemble with his army. And although Satan and his two assistants send out their spirits to assemble the kings of the whole world with their armies there, it is in actual fact again God, who "turns them about" and leads them to Israel, as we can read here below, in Eze 39,2.

I will turn you about and drive you forward, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.

Eze 39,1 "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; 39,2 and I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel; 39,3 then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand.

39,4 You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples that are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the wild beasts to be devoured. Eze 39, 1- 4;


We will realize a little bit later, in the course of the "Last Fight" (Eze 38) that the "Gog" mentioned in this text is identical with Satan. But also God has made his army ready for action. It is the Lord Jesus who goes to the front with the army of heaven. He is "The Word of God" and "King of kings and Lord of lords". And a sharp sword issued from his mouth with which to smite the nations.

Then I saw a white horse and he who sat upon it is called Faithful and True.

Rev 19,11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 19,12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed which no one knows but himself. 19,13 He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 19,14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses.

19,15 From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 19,16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev 19,11-16;


And it comes as it was to be expected. The army of the nations was slain by the sword that issued from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, and the two creatures of Satan were thrown into the lake of fire – this is the second, the final death.

(See also Chapter 07: "The Battle of Armageddon.")


And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered.

Rev 19,19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who sits upon the horse and against his army. 19,20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.

19,21 And the rest were slain by the sword of him who sits upon the horse, the sword that issues from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. Rev 19,19-21;


Satan himself is an exception here once more. He is not yet thrown into the lake of fire for the time being. For the Lord needs him for another judgment. Therefore he is bound and thrown into the bottomless pit. In the following one thousand years during which the Millennium, the Kingdom of Peace of our Lord Jesus lasts on earth, he will not have any possibility to influence men. Therefore it will be – not least also for this reason – a peaceful time on earth.

And he seized the dragon, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Rev 20,1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. 20,2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 20,3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. Rev 20, 1- 3;

You said in your heart ‘I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol.

Isa 14,9 Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come, it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. 14,10 All of them will speak and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ 14,11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are the bed beneath you, and worms are your covering. 14,12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

14,13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; 14,14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ 14,15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit. Isa 14, 9-15;

Is this the man who made the earth tremble and made the world like a desert?

Isa 14,16 Those who see you will stare at you, and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 14,17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ 14,18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; 14,19 but you are cast out, away from your sepulchre, like a loathed untimely birth, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the Pit, like a dead body trodden under foot. Isa 14,16-19;


Satan in the lake of fire.

After these one thousand years Satan "must be loosed for a little while" according to Rev 20,3. We realize here again that Satan is not really liberated, but only "loosed", like a wild beast, which is allowed by its keeper to run about. God always leads this former cherub by the rein, even if Satan does not admit it to himself in his hunger for power.

When the thousand years were ended, he must be loosed for a little while.

Rev 20,1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain.

20,2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 20,3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. Rev 20, 1- 3;


During the one thousand years of the Millennium the Lord Jesus rules in absolute justice. But not all people love justice. However, they finally have to "bear" it, because otherwise they would be punished. But they would prefer much more a ruler who would be corrupt and bribable and who would give them then all the things that they are lawfully not entitled to.

And they finally get such a ruler. It is Satan, who is now loosed for a little while, so that all those men can come out and disclose and declare themselves who dissembled their true nature for fear of being punished during the Kingdom of Peace. These men now run up to Satan in crowds. Entire nations "convert" to the new ruler and cheer him.

And now he, Satan, is again powerful. And even now he cannot give it up. He has not understood anything yet in thousands of years. He again assembles "his nations". And, of course, it is again Israel against which he goes to war.

And he thinks his chances are better this time. In the Millennium there were neither wars nor was there a production of arms. Israel lies there without any protection. The cities do not have any walls and the land does not have any defense. The people living at that time never were professional soldiers. They do not have any idea how they shall defend themselves.

I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army.

Ez3 38,1 The word of the LORD came to me: 38,2 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 38,3 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;

38,4 and I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords; Eze 38, 1- 4;


As it was already the case at the Battle of Armageddon, also here, at the Last Fight, it is, however, not Satan, who carries out his plan, but God, who turns him about.

He will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth.

Rev 20,7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison

20,8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. Rev 20, 7- 8;


In Rev 20,8 John calls Satan the one who gathers the nations from Gog and Magog for fight. And in Eze 38,3 we finally learn that he, Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (or "prince of Rosch, Meshech and Tubal"), is put hooks into his jaws and is turned about by God.

In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war.

Eze 38,5 Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 38,6 Gomer and all his hordes; Bethtogarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you. 38,7 "Be ready and keep ready, you and all the hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. 38,8 After many days you will be mustered; in the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land where people were gathered from many nations upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste; its people were brought out from the nations and now dwell securely, all of them.

38,9 You will advance, coming on like a storm, you will be like a cloud covering the land you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you. Eze 38, 5- 9;


In the above text, Eze 38,8 and the following verses we also have the confirmation of the fact that the events described in this chapter actually belong – as far as the dating in time is concerned – to the "Last Fight" at the end of the Millennium and not to the Battle of Armageddon, before the Millennium as some people think. It says there "After many days you will be mustered; in the latter years …". These "latter years" are also the last years of the Millennium, the last period of mankind in the universe of time.

another statement of this text corroborates this view of things: He, Gog, will "go against the land (namely Israel) that is restored from war". We know from the prophecies for the Millennium that at the beginning of this period Israel will very well fight against all nations all around and will defeat all of them. Then, however, they will reforge their weapons, as it says in Isa 2,4- 5:

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Isa 2,4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

2,5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isa 2, 4- 5;


So, henceforth men will not learn how to make war any more. As this takes place rather at the beginning of the Millennium, men will live almost a thousand years in peace and prosperity.

(See also Chapter 10: "The Millennium.")


The inhabitants in Israel will also multiply in such a way that the cities are inhabited without any walls, as it is described in Zech 2,7- 8:

Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men in it.

Zech 2,3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, 2,4 and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. Zech 2, 3- 4;


And in Eze 38,11 it is also said of Gog, he "will go up against the land of unwalled villages; he will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates".

I will go up against the land of unwalled villages.

Ez 38,10 "Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme 38,11 and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages; I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates’ 38,12 to seize spoil and carry off plunder; to assail the waste places which are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth.

38,13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to seize great spoil?’ Eze 38,10-13;


Furthermore, it is also said in Eze 38,12 that at the time of this raid the people of Israel has already been gathered from the nations, and that the previously destroyed villages have been restored and inhabited again. Also these hints confirm a dating in time of this event in the Millennium, since all these conditions will not be fulfilled before this kingdom which will last for a thousand years. So, there is no doubt that the event described here, in Eze 38, is an event which takes place at the end of the Millennium, when no wars have been waged any more for hundreds of years and when men, in particular also the people in Israel, dwell quietly and securely.

So, at the end of these one thousand years, Gog comes with his army and wants to assault and plunder Israel which lies there unsuspectingly.

In the latter days you will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land.

Eze 38,14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, you will bestir yourself

38,15 and come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army; 38,16 you will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. Eze 38,14-16;


He will come up against Israel "like a cloud covering the land" (Eze 38,16). He comes from his place "with many peoples, all of them riding on horses" (Eze 38,15). The expression "on horses" induces some exegetes to conceive a symbolic interpretation. The horses are interpreted as horse power or kilowatt. They speak of tanks and cannons, airplanes and battleships. But at that time all these things have been broken to pieces, have fallen apart and have been forgotten for more than a thousand years.

In the course of the heavy and worldwide earthquake on the Day of the Lord not only all cities and buildings were destroyed, but even all material was burned down and devastated. And even if here and there one or the other tank or airplane would have survived that time – there is plainly and simply no fuel any more. The stocks and reserves on the surface fell a prey to the flames and all existing oil fields exploded in the course of this global catastrophe.

The mountains shall be thrown down, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.

Eze 38,17 "Thus says the Lord GOD: Are you he of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who in those days prophesied for years that I would bring you against them? 38,18 But on that day, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord GOD, my wrath will be roused.

38,19 For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath I declare, On that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; 38,20 the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the ground, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground. Eze 38,17-20;


Even before the huge army of Satan would have begun to fight, a great confusion will come upon them. They will not know any more against whom they shall fight and will kill each other. The remaining people will lose their lives due to hail, fire, and the plague.

Every man’s sword will be against his brother.

Eze 38,21 I will summon every kind of terror against Gog, says the Lord GOD; every man’s sword will be against his brother. 38,22 With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples that are with him, torrential rains and hailstones, fire and brimstone.

38,23 So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Eze 38,21-23;


John summarizes this in Rev 20,9 in short words in the sentence "And fire came down from heaven and consumed them".

They marched up over the broad earth, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Rev 20,7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison 20,8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

20,9 And they marched up over the broad earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city; but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. Rev 20, 7- 9;


The strange formulation at the beginning of verse Rev 20,9: "And they marched up over the broad earth" corresponds to the future geological situation in the Millennium. Before the Millennium, on the Day of the Lord, when heaven and earth are reorganized, Israel will become a flat land, a plain where everything is on the same level, due to the impact of earthquakes. All mountains will be made low and the valleys will be lifted up. Only Mount Zion will rise as the highest mountain and will carry the temple of God.

(See also Chapter 08: "The reorganization of heaven and earth.")


And now the fate of Satan and of the people seduced by him is sealed: "Fire came down from heaven and consumed them". That is the end of the dream of the cherub. In the final analysis he was only the decoy for all those whose names are not written in the Book of the Lamb. All these people have trusted him and perished. And when the text below from Eze 28,15 says, "You were blameless (…), till iniquity was found in you", one cannot help feeling a certain consternation. A chosen creature of God, who was himself a son of God, turns against his Creator. And billions of people follow him.

I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

Eze 28,15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 28,16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and the guardian cherub drove you out from the midst of the stones of fire. 28,17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. Eze 28,15-17;


Although the text below from Eze 28,11-19, refers to the "king of Tyre", it can be recognized without any difficulty that this text is not about a man, but that this is the description of an unparalleled and perfect creature of God, a "guardian cherub" – that is to say an angel. And the statement "You were in Eden, the garden of God" reminds us of the fall of man. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, too, and the Fall also had to do with another creature of God: with Satan.

You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Eze 28,11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me: 28,12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

28,13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, topaz, and jasper, chrysolite, beryl, and onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and wrought in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 28,14 With an anointed guardian cherub I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. Ez3 28,11-14;

You have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more for ever.

Eze 28,18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought forth fire from the midst of you; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 28,19 All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more for ever." Eze 28,18-19;


With that Satan’s life – but not his existence! – is put an end to. He is thrown into the lake of fire, where his two assistants and all his angels ended up as well.

The eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Mt 25,41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! Mt 25,41; 

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur.

Rev 20,10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev 20,10;


Reading the above statements from Rev 20,10, it is difficult for us to have understanding for those – otherwise outright orthodox – Christians who want to see the lake of fire once more symbolically and think this "metaphor" does not mean everlasting punishment, but plainly and simply a "dissolution" of the human existence. They justify their point of view with the argument that this is after all a God of love, who cannot approve of everlasting torments of these lost people.

In objection to that it must be said that on the one hand the original text speaks expressly of "eternal" – that is to say everlasting – and that on the other hand also the promises for the faithful – who will then have "eternal" life – are expressed with the same Greek word. So, if "eternal life" is interpreted as an everlasting existence in the presence of God, one cannot speak at the same time of a dissolution of their existence in the case of the lost people using the same expression.

The first ones, who were thrown into this lake of fire, were the Antichrist and his false prophet, after the Battle of Armageddon, before the Millennium. Now their lord, Satan, follows them.

In the Universal Resurrection – the regeneration – all dead people come to life again and come before the great white throne at the Last Judgment.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.

Rev 20,11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

20,12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done.

20,13 And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. Rev 20,11-13;


All people, whose names are not written in the Book of Life, are also damned to eternal fire by this judgment. In the end Death itself is thrown into the lake of fire as well. This is the second, the final death.

Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.

Rev 20,14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; 20,15 and if any one’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 20,14-15;


But at the same time it is also the end of the age, the end of the First Creation, the end of heaven and earth and the beginning of the second, the New Creation and of eternity.

(See also Chapter 14: "The New Creation.")


Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.

Rev 21,1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 21,2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21, 1- 2;

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light.

Rev 21,22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 21,23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

21,24 By its light shall the nations walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it, 21,25 and its gates shall never be shut by day—and there shall be no night there; 21,26 they shall bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

21,27 But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Rev 21,22-27;


And here, at the end of the old and at the beginning of the New Creation, the similarity of the fate of Israel with the fate of mankind as a whole becomes apparent. Just as the promises for Israel could have been fulfilled not as late as in the Millennium, but as early as now almost two thousand years ago if they had not rebelled against their God by the rejection of the Messiah, also mankind could have also had experienced the blessings of this New Creation of God as early as at the very beginning of the First Creation if the first man had not turned against his God and had not brought the fall of man and death into this world by doing so.