Revelation 13:7 (KJV)

What does Revelation 13:7 mean?

Revelation 13:7 describes how authority is given to a powerful figure to wage war against God’s people (“the saints”) and to defeat them, and this figure is also granted power over every group of people across the world. The verse emphasizes the global reach and temporary success of this adversary over believers.

In the book of Revelation, John is describing a vision where a beast rises to power. This beast is allowed to attack the faithful and is given authority over all nations, languages, and peoples. The verse highlights a period of intense struggle for believers and sets the stage for the broader conflict between good and evil described throughout this section of Revelation.

The Greek behind Revelation 13:7

• The word for “war” is πόλεμον (polemon), which means open conflict or battle. This shows that the opposition faced by the saints is not just social or verbal, but an active and aggressive campaign.
• The word for “overcome” is νικῆσαι (nikēsai), often understood as “to conquer” or “to prevail over.” The Greek here carries the sense of actual defeat, not just a temporary setback.
• The word for “power” is ἐξουσία (exousia), meaning authority or the right to act. This suggests that the beast’s actions are not just by force, but with a kind of permitted authority.
• The terms for “kindreds,” “tongues,” and “nations” (φυλὰς, γλώσσας, ἔθνη; phylas, glōssas, ethnē) stress the worldwide scope, showing that no group is outside this figure’s influence.

Why Revelation 13:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that the suffering and defeat of the saints is not accidental, but something allowed for a time within God’s larger plan, which can help readers understand the context of hardship.
• The global authority given to the beast connects this passage to the wider themes in Revelation about the scope of evil’s reach and the eventual need for God’s intervention.
• By emphasizing both the defeat and the worldwide power of the adversary, the verse sets up the dramatic tension that runs through the rest of Revelation, highlighting the seriousness of the conflict and the hope for ultimate victory.