Revelation 13:7 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The beast is permitted to wage war on the saints and to prevail outwardly, with authority extending over every people.
What Does Revelation 13:7 Mean?
The beast is allowed to make war with the saints and even to overcome them, and its reach spreads over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. For a season the faithful appear to be defeated, and the beast's dominion looks universal.
This is among the hardest lines in the chapter: the holy ones are overcome. Yet to be conquered in body is not to be conquered in truth. Throughout this book, those who lose their lives are shown afterward standing victorious before the throne. The war waged here is permitted, bounded, and ultimately overturned. The reader is prepared not to measure faithfulness by outward survival, but to hold fast knowing that the Lamb has already secured the deeper victory.
Revelation 13:7 in the Original Language
hagioi (ἅγιοι), 'saints' -- the holy ones, those set apart as belonging to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 13:7
What does Revelation 13:7 mean?
The beast is permitted to wage war on the saints and to prevail outwardly, with authority extending over every people.