Bible Question:
Why is Satan going to be let loose for a short time at the end of the Millennium?
Bible Answer:
Revelation 20:7-10 refers to Satan being released from prison after the millennial kingdom.
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. Revelation 20:7-8 (NASB)
But why will Satan be released after the kingdom? What follows explains this very important event.
Satan Gathers the Nations For War
Satan rebelled against God either before the creation of the world or shortly after Adam and Eve were created (Isaiah 14:; Ezekiel 28:12-17). Consequently, God cast him out of heaven.
He is now the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he prowls about after us like a lion (1 Peter 5:8). He is the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30) and the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2). When the tribulation arrives, he will attempt to defeat God at the battle of Armageddon, which he will lose. As a result, Satan will be cast into a prison called the abyss (Revelation 20:1-3). Satan will be released from the abyss after being bound in prison for 1,000 years. When he is released, he will not repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
This wicked angel will have no sorrow, no remorse, and no regrets after 1,000 years in a place where he did not want to be. Yet, he will try it all over again. He will deceive the non-Christians of the world, and bring them to Jerusalem in an attempt to defeat God. God will destroy the armies of the world with fire.
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:9-10 (NASB)
So, why will God allow Satan to be released? First, Satan will prove to every created being that he will not repent of his wickedness even after 1,000 years in prison. It is obvious that his release will also motivate those on the earth to reveal their true sinful hearts. The rebellion will not occur until he is released and he is able to deceive the unbelievers of the world.
The more important question is, “Why will the people of the world reject God?” There will be peace in the kingdom. Life will be wonderful, but some will not like God’s moral law because they will be evil and will not love Him. That is the situation today in our world. It appears that God will allow this to occur in order to prove how utterly evil men and women really are. Men and women love their sin, and they hate God. This rebellion after the wonderful kingdom will be just one more justification for God sending anyone who rejects Jesus to the lake of fire.
Conclusion:
We must not forget that God loves all of His created beings. (John 3:16). But a holy God must eventually punish self-centered, rebellious men and women. Yes, God loves us, but He is also holy and just.