Revelation 13:7; Power to Overcome Them

Revelation 13:7 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. 

Making war and overcoming the saints are the same concepts as in Daniel 7:21, 23 where the dismal prospect is counter-balanced with the consolation of Daniel 7:22.

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 

Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 

Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 

Overcoming the saints in this case is a termination of their physical lives (cf. Revelation 13:15) (Johnson). The use of the word “overcome” or (nikao) is ironic here, because in the end it is the martyrs who are the victors (cf. Revelation 12:11; 14:1-5; 17:14).

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

Revelation 14:1-5 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him arecalled, and chosen, and faithful. 

The beast’s permitted authority over every lineage, nation, language group, and racial group is explicitly worldwide in its extend (cf. “the whole earth” Daniel 7:23). The Lamb died to redeem people from the same four groups as this ruler will dominate politically (cf. Revelation 5:9).

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

This last ruler will have accomplished what every ruler has ever dreamed about. That is to have total world domination (Backwith, Walvoord). This was his commission from the dragon (Revelation 13:2b). The all-inclusive scope of this statement prohibits an application of it to any past ruler or empire (Morris).

[Robert. L Thomas, Moody Press, 1995, 163]