SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:7
Y le fue dado hacer guerra contra los santos, y vencerlos. También le fue dada potencia sobre toda tribu y pueblo y lengua y gente.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 13:7
Verse 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them] "Who can make any computation," says Bishop Newton, "or even frame any conception, of the numbers of pious Christians who have fallen a sacrifice to the bigotry and cruelty of Rome? Mede upon the place hath observed, from good authorities, that in the war with the Albigenses and Waldenses there perished of these poor creatures in France alone a million. From the first institution of the Jesuits to the year 1580, that is, in little more than thirty years, nine hundred thousand orthodox Christians were slain, and these all by the common executioner. In the space of scarce thirty years the inquisition destroyed, by various kinds of torture, a hundred and fifty thousand Christians. Sanders himself confesses that an innumerable multitude of Lollards and Sacramentarians were burnt throughout all Europe, who yet, he says, were not put to death by the pope and bishops, but by the civil magistrates." The dragon in a new shape, or Roman empire of Germany, acted a very conspicuous part in this nefarious warfare against the remnant of the woman's seed, who kept the commandments of God, and had the testimony of Jesus Christ. See the imperial edict of Frederic II. against heretics, in Limborch's History of the Inquisition. And power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.] As the book of the Revelation is a prophecy of all that should come upon the Christian world till the end of time, all kindreds, and tongues, and nations, must imply the whole Christian world. That the Latin empire in the course of its reign has had the extensive power here spoken of, is evident from history. It is well known that the profession of Christianity was chiefly confined within the limits of the Greek and Latin empires, till the period of the Reformation. By means of the crusades the Latins extended their empire over several provinces of the Greeks. In 1097 Baldwin extended his conquests over the hills of Armenia and the plain of Mesopotamia, and founded the first principality of the Franks or Latins, which subsisted fifty-four years, beyond the Euphrates. In 1204 the Greeks were expelled from Constantinople by the Latins, who set up an empire there which continued about fifty-seven years. The total overthrow of the Latin states in the east soon followed the recovery of Constantinople by the Greeks; and in 1291 the Latin empire in the east was entirely dissolved. Thus the Latins have had power over the whole world professedly Christian: but it is not said that the whole world was in utter subjection to him, for we read in the following verse:-
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints , etc.] The remnant of the woman's seed, ( Revelation 12:17), whom God has set apart for himself, Christ has cleansed from sin by his blood, and the Holy Spirit has sanctified by his grace; and who under the influence of it live holy lives and conversations; against such Satan always bore an enmity; and it is an aggravation of the wickedness of the Romish antichrist, that he makes war with such, which he is stirred up to by Satan, with a malicious intent, and is permitted by God for the trial of the faith and patience of his people: this war of antichrist, with the saints, may be understood not merely spiritually, of his anathemas, excommunications, bulls, and the like, but literally, of his drawing the temporal sword against them; (see Revelation 13:10); and bringing of armies against them, and fighting pitched battles; and it is thought there may be a special regard had to his war with the Waldenses and Albigenses, in which war it is said that a million were slain; and may take in all his ways and methods of destroying the saints, by the bloody Inquisition, murders, massacres, and punishments of all sorts; and also his last war with the two witnesses, in which they will be slain, which is yet to come, ( Revelation 11:7); and to overcome them : not so as to submit to him, and to forsake the doctrines and ordinances of Christ, but by killing them; and who, by dying in the faith and cause of Christ, overcome Satan, get the victory over the world, and antichrist, and are more than conquerors through him that has loved them. And power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations ; in the Roman empire, which wondered after him, and worshipped him, and over whom he has reigned, and has exercised both a temporal and spiritual jurisdiction; (see Revelation 17:15,18).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The apostle, standing on the shore, saw a savage beast rise out of the sea; a tyrannical, idolatrous, persecuting power, springing up out of the troubles which took place. It was a frightful monster! It appear to mean that worldly, oppressing dominion, which for many ages, eve from the times of the Babylonish captivity, had been hostile to the church. The first beast then began to oppress and persecute the righteous for righteousness' sake, but they suffered most under the fourth beast of Daniel, (the Roman empire,) which has afflicted the saints with many cruel persecutions. The source of its power was the dragon. It was set up by the devil, and supported by him. The woundin the head may be the abolishing pagan idolatry; and the healing of the wound, introducing popish idolatry, the same in substance, only in new dress, but which as effectually answers the devil's design. The world admired its power, policy and success. They paid honour an subjection to the devil and his instruments. It exercised inferna power and policy, requiring men to render that honour to creature which belongs to God alone. Yet the devil's power and success ar limited. Christ has a chosen remnant, redeemed by his blood, recorde in his book, sealed by his Spirit; and though the devil and antichris may overcome the body, and take away the natural life, they cannot conquer the soul, nor prevail with true believers to forsake their Saviour, and join his enemies. Perseverance in the faith of the gospe and true worship of God, in this great hour of trial and temptation which would deceive all but the elect, is the character of thos registered in the book of life. This powerful motive and encouragemen to constancy, is the great design of the whole Revelation.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 εδοθη 1325 5681 αυτω 846 πολεμον 4171 ποιησαι 4160 5658 μετα 3326 των 3588 αγιων 40 και 2532 νικησαι 3528 5658 αυτους 846 και 2532 εδοθη 1325 5681 αυτω 846 εξουσια 1849 επι 1909 πασαν 3956 φυλην 5443 και 2532 γλωσσαν 1100 και 2532 εθνος 1484
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. The saints (twn agiwn). See on Acts xxvi. 10.
All kindreds (pasan fulhn). Rev., more literally and correctly, every tribe. See on ch. i. 7;v. 9. After tribe insert kai laon and people. See on 1 Peter ii. 9.
Nation (eqnov). See on 1 Pet. ii. 9.
