Revelation 13:7
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints

God allows the beast to persecute believers for a limited time, yet the beast remains under divine authority. Daniel saw the same conflict when the little horn made war with the saints (Daniel 7:21, 25). Faithful followers of Christ will face intense opposition because their allegiance to the Lamb rejects the beast’s claims to worship and rule.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war…
Dan 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress…
Mat 24:9 Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted…

and to conquer them,

The beast’s victory concerns earthly power, including imprisonment, exclusion, and martyrdom, not the loss of the saints’ salvation. Revelation later shows those slain for Christ reigning with Him and sharing in His final victory (Revelation 20:4). Jesus prepared His disciples for such hostility and called them to endure faithfully to the end (Matthew 24:9–13).

Rev 11:7 When the two witnesses have finished their testimony…
Dan 7:21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints…
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive…

and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

The beast will exercise worldwide political and religious influence, gathering humanity in rebellion against God. His counterfeit dominion stands in direct opposition to Christ, whose redeemed people come from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). Though the beast’s authority appears comprehensive, it is granted only for its appointed season, and the kingdom of Christ will endure forever.

Dan 7:14 And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship…
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You”…
Rev 7:9 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Beast
A symbolic representation of a powerful, evil entity or system that opposes God and His people. In the context of Revelation, the beast is often associated with oppressive governments or leaders that demand worship and allegiance contrary to God's will.

2. The Saints
Refers to the believers in Christ who are faithful to God. They are the ones who are targeted by the beast in its war.

3. Every Tribe, People, Tongue, and Nation
This phrase emphasizes the global scope of the beast's authority and influence, indicating that its power extends across all human divisions and categories.

4. War Against the Saints
This event signifies a period of intense persecution and tribulation for believers, where the beast is allowed to temporarily overcome them.

5. Authority Given
The beast's power is not inherent but permitted by God for a specific purpose and time, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty even over evil.
Teaching Points
Understanding Persecution
Believers should be aware that persecution is a reality for the faithful. It is important to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that trials are part of the Christian journey.

God's Sovereignty
Even when evil seems to prevail, God is in control. The beast's authority is permitted by God, reminding us that He has a purpose and plan, even in difficult times.

Global Perspective
The influence of the beast over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation calls Christians to be vigilant and discerning about global events and ideologies that oppose God's truth.

Spiritual Warfare
Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle. It is crucial to put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6, to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

Hope and Endurance
Despite the temporary victory of the beast, believers have the assurance of ultimate victory in Christ. This hope should inspire endurance and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the description of the beast in Revelation 13:7 compare to the beasts described in Daniel 7, and what can we learn from this comparison?

2. In what ways can Christians prepare for and respond to persecution, as suggested by the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty over the beast's authority provide comfort and assurance to believers facing trials?

4. What are some modern-day "beasts" or systems that challenge our allegiance to God, and how can we discern and resist them?

5. How can the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6 help us to stand firm in our faith amidst the challenges described in Revelation 13:7?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 7
The vision of the four beasts in Daniel parallels the imagery in Revelation, where a beast is given authority and wages war against the saints, indicating a prophetic connection and fulfillment.

Matthew 24
Jesus speaks of a time of great tribulation and persecution for believers, which aligns with the events described in Revelation 13:7.

Ephesians 6
Paul discusses the spiritual warfare believers face, reminding us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
Safety in Times of Worldly OppressionR. Green Revelation 13:1-10
Admiration of the BeastF. D. Maurice, M. A.Revelation 13:1-18
His Deadly Wound was HealedThomas Fuller, D. D.Revelation 13:1-18
The Domain of AntichristD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 13:1-18
The Domain of AntichristD. Thomas Revelation 13:1-18
The Two Wild Beasts; Or, the World and its WisdomS. Conway, B. A.Revelation 13:1-18
The Two Wild Beasts; Or, the World and its WisdomS. Conway Revelation 13:1-18
Christ Sacrificed in EternityD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 13:7-8
Eternal AtonementR. D. Hitchcock, D. D.Revelation 13:7-8
The Lamb SlainAmerican National PreacherRevelation 13:7-8
The Place of the Cross in the WorldG. Matheson, D. D.Revelation 13:7-8
War with the SaintsW. Burkitt, M. A.Revelation 13:7-8
People
John
Places
Patmos
Topics
Allowed, Authority, Conquer, God's, Kindreds, Language, Languages, Nation, Nations, Overcome, Permission, Power, Saints, Tongue, Tongues, Tribe, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 13:7

     4029   world, human beings in
     5374   languages
     7155   saints
     8483   spiritual warfare, causes
     8484   spiritual warfare, enemies
     8795   persecution, nature of

Revelation 13:1-8

     4125   Satan, agents of
     4609   beast, the

Revelation 13:1-10

     2565   Christ, second coming

Revelation 13:1-18

     9115   antichrist, the

Revelation 13:4-7

     8787   opposition, to God

Revelation 13:5-7

     8401   challenges

Revelation 13:5-10

     8707   apostasy, personal

Library
He Shall not Keep Silent.
THE heavens have long been silent. It is one of the leading characteristics of this present age, the closed, the silent heavens. But they will not be silent forever. "Our God shall come and shall not keep silence" (Ps. i:3). In His divine Patience the Lord has been at the right hand of God for nearly two thousand years. He will not occupy that place forever. It is not His permanent station to be upon the Father's throne. He has the promise of His own throne, which He as the King-Priest must occupy.
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Letter xxxvii (Circa A. D. 1131) to Magister Geoffrey, of Loretto.
To Magister Geoffrey, of Loretto. [57] He asks his assistance in maintaining the Pontificate of Innocent against the schism of Peter Leonis. 1. We look for scent in flowers and for savour in fruits; and so, most dearly beloved brother, attracted by the scent of your name which is as perfume poured forth, I long to know you also in the fruit of your work. For it is not I alone, but even God Himself, who has need of no man, yet who, at this crisis, needs your co-operation, if you do not act falsely
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Guelf and Ghibelline. (ii)
[Sidenote: Honorius III (1216-27) and the Crusade.] The bull of summons to the Lateran Council of 1215 mentions as the two great desires of the Pope's heart the recovery of the Holy Land and the reformation of the Church Universal; and it is made clear that the various measures of reform to be placed before the General Council are intended to bring Christian princes and peoples, both clergy and laity, into the frame of mind for sending aid to Palestine. Moreover, at the Council it was agreed that
D. J. Medley—The Church and the Empire

The Third
refers to Exodus. The promise is, "I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it" (ii. 17). It is in this third Epistle, which refers to the wilderness period and Balaam's counsel, that we have a special reference to the manna, the wilderness sustenance, of which Exodus contains the record. "Bread from Heaven" and "Angels' food" (Ps. lxxviii. 24,25) are set over against the lusts of the
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

But Whilst the King Has not that Most Blessed Light...
But whilst the King has not that most blessed light, yet there are some things in which he can discriminate; and here are seven comparisons in which his unaided wisdom can discern which is the better:-- 1. A good name is better than precious ointment. 2. The day of death " " " the day of birth. 3. The house of mourning " " " the house of feasting. 4. Borrow " " " laughter. 5. The rebuke of the wise " " " the song of fools.
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

The Blessing of God.
NUMB. VI. 22-27. We have already seen the grace of GOD making provision that His people, who had lost the privilege of priestly service, might draw near to Him by Nazarite separation and consecration. And not as the offence was the free gift: those who had forfeited the privilege of priestly service were the males only, but women and even children might be Nazarites; whosoever desired was free to come, and thus draw near to GOD. We now come to the concluding verses of Numb. vi, and see in them one
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

The Seventh
refers to the throne, of which Solomon's was in every respect the ideal type. This, the highest promise, is given to the overcomers in the lowest condition of Israel's degradation, which is described as in danger of being "spued out." What that was we have already seen (page 89), and now we have the chiefest of all the promises. The overcomers in that last terrible condition of things are the ones who most need the greatest of Divine help and encouragement. Hence the highest promise is given. "To
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fifth vision "On Earth"
E5, xiv. 6-20. The Six Angels and the Son of Man. The next vision which follows "on earth," follows closely on the last, and is preliminary to the pouring out of the seven Vials. No angel has been seen or heard since the seventh angel sounded the seventh trumpet in xi. 15. This shows us that the passage xii. 1-- 8 is parenthetical, and constitutes one series or episode. This fifth vision on earth consists of the appearance of six angels consecutively, each having his separate mission, and all but
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The First vision "On Earth"
E^1, chap. vi. 1-- 8. The Six Seals, and the sealing of the 144,000 From the whole of the first Vision "in Heaven" (H^1, vi. 1-vii. 8) for the putting forth of power "on Earth" in the completion of the redemption of the purchased inheritance. The price has been paid in the shedding of the precious blood of the Lamb; and now, the necessary power is to be exercised so as to secure all its wondrous results, in wresting the inheritance from the hand of the enemy by ejecting the present usurper, and
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

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