Satan’s Final Rebellion.

Sermon 1: Satan's Final Rebellion After the Thousand-Year Reign:

Revelation 20:7-10

Introduction:

The Millennial Kingdom, a thousand years of Christ's peaceful reign, will be unlike anything the world has ever seen. Satan will be bound, and righteousness will flourish. But Scripture tells us that after this peaceful age, Satan will be released for one final rebellion. Today, we will explore why this happens, what this rebellion looks like, and what it reveals about the human heart and the ultimate justice of God.

1. The Release of Satan (Revelation 20:7)

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison…

A. Why Satan Is Released:

It seems strange that Satan is released after a thousand years of peace. However, this is part of God's plan to show that, despite living in a perfect environment under Christ's reign, some people's hearts will still choose rebellion. This reveals a critical truth: human sinfulness runs deep, and even the best conditions cannot change a heart unless Christ transforms it.

B. The Deception of the Nations:

When Satan is released, he immediately begins deceiving the nations. This shows us the depth of his influence and the willingness of people to follow him, even after witnessing Christ's reign. Those who follow Satan have lived under Christ's rule, yet they choose rebellion when given the opportunity.

**Application**: Sin is not simply the result of external circumstances. Even in perfect conditions, without Satan's influence for a thousand years, the human heart, apart from true transformation, is prone to rebellion. This should drive us to examine our own hearts and recognize the need for ongoing sanctification and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

2. The Gathering of the Nations for Battle (Revelation 20:8)

> "...and will go out to deceive the nations in the earth's four corners—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number, they are like the sand on the seashore.

A. The Nature of the Rebellion:

Satan's deception leads to an army as numerous as the sands on the seashore. He gathers these people, known as "Gog and Magog," for a final attempt to overthrow Christ's kingdom. This echoes the rebellion described in Ezekiel 38-39, where Gog and Magog represent nations hostile to God's people.

B. The Surprising Size of the Rebellion:

Despite a thousand years of Christ's reign, many will still choose to rebel against God. The sheer number of people who join Satan is staggering, indicating that even a perfect environment does not guarantee allegiance to God. This reminds us that a change in environment doesn't change the human heart; only God can do that.

**Application**: This truth should challenge us today. The allure of rebellion against God can still appeal to many, even after experiencing His blessings. We must continually guard our hearts and ensure our allegiance to Christ is rooted in true faith and transformation.

3. The Final Battle and Defeat of Satan (Revelation 20:9-10)

"They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city He loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

A. The Swiftness of God's Judgment:

Satan gathers his army to surround the camp of the saints, likely Jerusalem, but before any battle can occur, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the rebellious forces. God's judgment is immediate, total, and just.

B. Satan's Final Destination:

Satan is finally cast into the lake of fire, joining the beast and the false prophet. His torment is eternal, marking the end of his rebellion and influence forever. This is the ultimate justice—Satan's power is destroyed, and he faces everlasting judgment.

**Application**: The swiftness of God's judgment should remind us that God's patience will not last forever. There is a day when sin and rebellion will meet their end. We are called to stand firm in faith, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord and that His justice will prevail.

4. The Purpose of This Rebellion:

Testing the Hearts of Men: Satan's release and the final rebellion expose the true condition of the human heart. Many who follow Satan will have lived under Christ's peaceful rule, yet their hearts remain unchanged. This shows that the problem of sin is not merely environmental but deeply rooted in human nature.

- **God's Ultimate Victory**: This final rebellion ends with God's decisive victory. Satan is defeated once and for all, cast into the lake of fire. His influence is over, and God's kingdom reigns supreme forever.

**Key Point**: Satan's release and final defeat underscore the depth of God's justice and mercy. It shows us that, while rebellion is a reality, God's victory is inevitable.

Conclusion:**

While brief and quickly defeated, this rebellion shows the depth of sin and the reality of God's ultimate justice. Even after a thousand years of perfect rule, human hearts, untouched by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, are prone to rebellion. But God's justice is sure, and Satan's defeat is final.

As believers, this should motivate us to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, knowing that external conditions cannot save us—only a heart genuinely transformed by the Gospel can. It should also encourage us that, no matter the rebellion we see in the world today, God's victory is inevitable, and His justice will be established forever.

Call to Action:

Are our hearts fully surrendered to Christ, or are there areas where rebellion still lurks? This passage reminds us of the importance of genuine, lasting transformation through the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for a heart aligned with God's will, and let's share the Gospel with urgency, knowing that the time of grace will one day end, and judgment will come.

---

This is 1st of a 7 Sermon Series. The 2nd Sermon: The Great White Throne Judgment** is next.