Lesson 19

The last battle when humans go to make war against God and his people doesn’t take place until the end of the second resurrection period. This final battle will be the battle that ends all battles. After the first thousand years of Jesus’ reign has ended and the period, when the rest of the dead who were resurrected is closing, Satan will be freed from his prison for a short season. Some Christians think the rest of the dead will include Israelites only. Looking at those who are named from the nations of the world, like Gog and Magog, we can see those who are deceived by Satan will include people from other nationalities. Anyone who has ever lived and died will be the ‘rest of the dead’ who are resurrected after the first thousand years ends. They will be resurrected to live in the kingdom of God under the leadership of Jesus and his saints. Later on, many of these humans are deceived by Satan and decide to rebel against Jesus and those who are living with him in peace. This final battle is often confused with the battle when Jesus returns to the earth and defeats the Beast and False Prophet. These battles are at different times. One battle is won by Jesus with a  sword, the other by the fire of God that consumes those who would oppose him. Those who go out to fight God become ashes under the feet of the saints before they can ever deliver a blow. This is their second death.

Revelation 20:5 New Living Translation
5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)

Revelation 20:7-9 Living Bible
7 When the thousand years end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations of the world and gather them together, with Gog and Magog, for battle—a mighty host, numberless as sand along the shore. 9 They will go up across the broad plain of the earth and surround God’s people and the beloved city of Jerusalem on every side. But fire from God in heaven will flash down on the attacking armies and consume them.

Malachi 4:2-3 Lexham English Bible
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like fattened calves. 3 You will trample down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am going to act,” says Yahweh of hosts.

Most Christians look forward to going to heaven immediately after they die. Do all relevant scriptures support that belief? Have you ever thought about these different end time battles? How do these battles fit within your understanding of the kingdom of God and how it and paradise come to humanity?