REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE - Chapter 17 - Verse 14

Verse 14. These shall make war with the Lamb. The Lamb of God—the Lord Jesus, (Barnes on "Re 5:6";) that is, they would combine with the Papacy in opposing evangelical religion. It is not meant that they would openly and avowedly proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically do this in sustaining a persecuting power. It is unnecessary to show how true this has been in history; how entirely they sustained the Papacy in all its measures of persecution.

And the Lamb shall overcome them. Shall ultimately gain the victory over them. The meaning is, that they would not be able to extinguish the true religion. In spite of all opposition and persecution, that would still live in the world, until it would be said that a complete triumph was gained.

For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. He has supreme power over all the earth, and all kings and princes are subject to his control. Compare Re 19:16.

And they that are with him. The reference is to the persecuted saints who have adhered to him as his faithful followers in all these protracted conflicts.

Are called. That is, called by him to be his followers; as if he had selected them out of the world to maintain his cause. See Barnes on "Ro 1:7".

And chosen. See Barnes on "Joh 15:16; 1 Pe 1:2".

In their stedfast adherence to the truth, they had shown that they were truly chosen by the Saviour, and could be relied on in the warfare against the powers of evil.

And faithful. They had shown themselves faithful to him in times of persecution, and in the hour of darkness.

{b} "make war with the Lamb" Re 19:19 {a} "shall overcome" Jer 50:44 {b} "Lord of Lords" Re 19:16; De 10:17; 1 Ti 6:15

{c} "they" Mic 5:8,9 {d} "called" Ro 8:30,37 {e} "chosen" Joh 15:16 {f} "faithful" Re 2:10