Revelation 13:7-8 And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues… Observe — 1. A war proclaimed; the beast makes war upon the saints, by bloodshed and persecution, and by the force of those weapons overcomes them; that is to outward appearance and in the opinion of the world. But really do the saints overcome him by their patience under sufferings, and by adhering to the truth. 2. The large extent of the beast's power that was given him, namely, over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. Christ's flock is a little flock, compared with antichrist's herd: how wrong a note then is multitude of the right Church? 3. That as the power of the beast is universal, so is the worship also. "All that dwell on the earth shall worship him." 4. We have a number excepted, "Whose names are written in the book of life." Christ has His number of faithful ones, who are not defiled by antichrist's pollutions; a number whose conversations are in heaven. 5. The title here given to our Lord Jesus Christ, He is styled "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (W. Burkitt, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. |
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