War with the Saints Revelation 13:7

John the apostle shared how he, “stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven”, and in chapter thirteen and verse seven of Revelation John shared how the beast was given the ability to “make war with the saints, and to overcome them” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:” John began with the words, “and it was given” which means “it was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied” “unto him” or “to the beast or the antichrist” “to make war” which means “to battle, dispute, quarrel, have strife and fight” “with the saints” or “with the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated”, “and to overcome them” which means “and to conquer, have victory over and prevail against the saints”. John shared how the “antichrist” shall go to “battle” with the “saints” who are living at that time and be able to “conquer” them.

The verse continues, “and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” John added the words, “and power” which means “and strength, ability, liberty and physical and mental power” “was given him” or “was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to the antichrist” “over all kindreds” which means “upon, across and against each, every, the whole and everyone of the tribes, nations and people groups”, “and tongues” or “and languages or dialects used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations”, “and nations” which refers to “multitudes who are associated or living together, companies, troops, tribes or people groups”. John shared how the “antichrist” will be given “ability and rule” over every people group in the world.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we may marvel that one man shall have so much power. All the people of the world shall be subject unto him, and those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” during the “tribulation period” shall be fought against by this awful “beast”. These “saints”, who are not the “church”, shall be “conquered” (See Matthew 16:18 concerning the church), and anyone who lives shall be subject to this man's rule. It is important to remember the phrase, “it was given unto him” because there is a power greater than the “antichrist” who was able to extend this “power” to him or else he would not obtain it. That power was ultimately allowed by God, who rules and reigns over all things and desires to have a relationship through His Son Jesus with every person. May all who read these words consider the “power” given to the “antichrist” and remember there is one more powerful than him who allowed it.

Next time John shares how it was, “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.