20, 21. Who is Gog, and what will happen to him?

²⁰ As we saw in Chapter 17 of this publication, Ezekiel uses a prophetic title, “Gog of the land of Magog,” to identify the coalition of nations that attack us. (Ezek. 38:2) But the members of this coalition will be tethered to one another only by a thread. Beneath a veneer of cooperation, the spirit of rivalry, pride, and nationalistic ambition will continue to exist. It will be an easy thing for Jehovah to turn the sword of each one “against his own brother.” (Ezek. 38:21)

Jehovah will no doubt unleash heavenly armies and natural forces in such a way that he protects his loyal servants but eliminates his enemies.​—Read 2 Peter 2:9.

22, 23. Who will protect God’s people, and how will they no doubt feel about their task?

²² Think of how keen Jesus will be to lead the charge against God’s enemies and to protect those who love and serve his Father. Think, too, of the emotions that the anointed will then feel. At some point before Armageddon begins, the last of them remaining on earth will be raised to heavenly life so that all of the 144,000 can accompany Jesus into battle. (Rev. 17:12-14) Many of the anointed will no doubt have developed close personal friendships with members of the other sheep as they worked together during the last days. Now the anointed will have both the authority and the power to defend those who supported them so loyally during their trials.​—Matt. 25:31-40.

²³ Angels will also be part of Jesus’ heavenly army. (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:14) They already helped him remove Satan and the demons from heaven. (Rev. 12:7-9) And they have been involved in gathering those on earth who want to worship Jehovah. (Rev. 14:6, 7) How appropriate it is that Jehovah will allow the angels to protect these loyal ones! Most important, all in Jehovah’s army will feel honored to sanctify and vindicate his name, or reputation, by helping to destroy his enemies.​—Matt. 6:9, 10.