Revelation 13:10; Here Is the Patience of the Saints

Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

The first two lines are loosely taken from the prophecy of Jeremiah. God said through the prophet, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword” (Jer. 15:2; 43:11).

Jeremiah 15:2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. 

Jeremiah 43:11 And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword. 

Jeremiah wrote this passage to the wicked people in Jerusalem and Judah who no longer could count on divine help and deliverance. God would no longer listen to intercessions for His sinful people but was about to punish them with death, the sword, famine, and exile. By contrast, John addresses suffering Christians who are experiencing the scourge of imprisonment and loss of life. He writes to encourage the saints in their suffering for the Lord.

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 385). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

This proverb contains important practical truth for those believers alive at the time of Antichrist’s persecution. They are to depend on God’s providence and not take matters into their own hands. Those believers destined by God’s sovereign plan for captivity (imprisonment) are to accept that incarceration as God’s will. They are not to resist or fight against Antichrist. Amazingly, the passage upholds the divine institution of capital punishment even by Antichrist’s evil government, warning that if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed (cf. Gen. 9:5–6; Matt. 26:52).

Genesis 9:5-6 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 

Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

God’s people must not retaliate against their persecutors; there is no place now, and there will be no place then, for militant, aggressive, violent believers terrorizing their persecutors.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 

Instead of reacting violently, believers must exemplify the perseverance and the faith of the saints. They must be like the Lord Jesus Christ, who “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himselfto him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23).

When believers follow Christ’s example, noted Peter.

1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 

1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2000). Revelation 12–22 (p. 51). Chicago: Moody Press.

The resistance of the Christians is not by wielding of the sword. But to wait upon God for deliverance and glory.

Recall the words of Jesus:

Matthew 26:51-54 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out hishand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

The saints are to endure, be steadfast and persevere, keeping faith during these times of tribulation. Amen.