Gog and Magog: Not Punishment

Shelah Hakadosh, parshas Shemos

The entire matter of Gog and Magog is for the sake of zichuch (refinement) and not like Nevuchadnezzar where the fear was a punishment. Instead, these are yissurim shel ahava (sufferings from love) which come [not as punishment] but to refine and weaken the physical aspect and to increase the inner knowledge of G-d.