John used a lot of old testament imagery (the best example is, "great Babylon came in remembrance," in Rev 16:19;) but they are completely separate events. The first "Gog-Magog" defeat occurred about 165 BC, and the other will occur in the future: soon, I hope. A quick analysis reveals that the event in Revelation 20 uses "armies" that come from the "four quarters" of the earth: not merely from the "north parts" as in Ezekiel 38:15. The armies of Satan go up on the "breadth" of the earth, which means the entire "width" of the earth. This is the definition of breadth in Merriam-Webster:
1. distance from side to side: width
2. something of full width
3. comprehensive quality: scope
The term "beloved city" is not used anywhere else in the Bible. But the "beloved people" are the Christians and the Saints, as Paul mentioned several times:
"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 1:7 KJV)
"As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved." (Rom 9:25 KJV)
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Col 3:12 KJV)
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2 Th 2:13 KJV)
The following passage from the Hebrews explains the components of the Church of the firstborn, which is the Church of God's beloved Son:
"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant..." (Heb 12:22-24 KJV)
Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the beloved city is the heavenly new Jerusalem, which is the Church!
The term "camp of the saints" is also not found anywhere else. But there is a significant reference to the Saints in this passage in Ephesians which explains the Holy Temple:
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Eph 2:19-22 KJV)
Note that Christians are fellowcitizens with the Saints, as well as the prophets; and are also a part of the Holy Temple.
Therefore, I have no alternative but to believe that Satan is coming after the Church, worldwide, and the final war is a spiritual war. I also believe that the war is happening now, and that it began when Christians started accommodating other religions about a century ago.
Philip
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.Notice that they were on earth. The New Jerusalem does not come down from heaven until after the second death.