The phrase “four corners of the earth” expresses the notion of universality; that is, by referencing the extremities John is describing the whole thing (think of the expression from head to toe
). This is also how the phrase is used in the OT (Isaiah 11:12). This of course is also precisely the range of the work of the Rider on the white horse (Matthew 28:19–20; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:6–7). The Holy Spirit would have us know that Satan addresses the same people as Jesus did with his gospel. Of course, not all who heard the gospel came to faith in Jesus Christ. Among the “nations” are both the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent (Matthew 13:30).
8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.