"Those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Ma′gog" in Rev 20:8 have, at least in more recent explanations by the WT, been seen as different from "Gog [of] the land of Ma′gog, the head chieftain of Me′shech and Tu′bal" of Ezekiel 38:2.
In the Ezekiel account, "Gog" is spoken to as if an individual prince who is manuevered to gather a coalition of nations (from both the north and south of the promised land) to invade a reinhabited Israel.
In the Revelation account Satan is let loose from his prison to gather "those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Ma′gog," who then "encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city."
Some commentators understand a fulfillment of the Ezekiel account just before the Millenium. (The WT is among these - see Revelation Climax chapter 40, page 292, par.22), with something similar to happen after the Millenium. Some commentators understand the Ezekiel account and the Revelation account to be referring to the same thing.
Back during the WWII and previous time the Society viewed "Gog" as 'Satan's right hand man' or Satan's general. For example, the 1940 WT (p.40) says:
- Satan exalts himself to the position of supremacy like unto that of the Most High, Jehovah. Gog, the chief officer of Satan, takes the place similar to that occupied by Jesus Christ, the Prince or Ruler or King of the great THEOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. he wicked angels, that have direct influence and power over the nations of the earth, are made to correspond to the angels of Christ Jesus that always serve him and are under his immediate command.--Matt. 25: 31.
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Bobcat
