Revelation 20:7-8 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

This period is at the end of the Millennial reign. One thousand years of Jesus on earth ruling. The environment is peaceful; people have no desire for war and man walks with the wild beast in peace. Then Satan is unbound and is allowed to come back in. In this time of peace and harmony, Satan leads a rebellion against Jesus once more. This is such a surprising and eye-opening turn of events that we can learn a couple of lessons from.

First, it is often said that the environment one is around has the greatest influence over them. We see through this scripture that after being in a peaceful atmosphere with Jesus ruling that some people are convinced to rebel. This shows the true depravity of man. Second, this uprising against God is influenced by Satan. An old wise saying I heard is true in this case. If you lay with dogs, you rise with fleas. The ones that we allow around us will influence us more than anything.

This prophecy is an example of why the people we choose to place in our lives is so important. Either we will choose the bad influence to be around to lead us to evil, or we will choose the good influence that will encourage us to walk the Godly path. The ultimate influence in our lives to live for Jesus is His word. The second is a Christian friend. These two will lead you to give your life over to a loving God. Choose wisely.