“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

Though there may be many reasons for this confederacy, the Bible focuses on a unified hatred against Christ and His people. It all sounds inconceivable, yet God said that it would occur. Though there are 2.1+ billion Christians in the world, the Sabbath issue will create universal hatred against Jesus and His loyal subjects.

In 12:17 and 13:7 we’ve been told that the dragon and the beast (Satan and the papacy), with the help of the earth beast, or United States, will war against the saints.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman” (Revelation 12:17a). Again, in this review chapter (prophetic interlude) we are reminded that a point will be reached which won’t be pretty. Only a “few” will remain firm – a remnant – what is “left over.”

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (12:11). They do not drink the abominations from the church’s wine cup. God called identity with that drink “infidelity” (17:2, 4). That wine becomes such an emotional issue, it leads to hatred.

“These shall make war with the Lamb,” (vs 14)

This is recounted later: “the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army” (19:19). These “battle” expressions came originally from Daniel’s prophecy:

As previously noted, this conflict appears in a commentary insert that is graphically portrayed in Revelation 16:13-14: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

There, they are being influenced and prepared for war; here in 17:14, we are told that part of their fight is against Jesus, Who is victorious.

“But the world at large … is under the control of Satan, Christ's bitterest foe. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense – because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife – that the gospel is called a sword.”[1]

“and the Lamb shall overcome them:”  (vs 14)

The Lamb was described for us in 5:6. He had seven horns. This represented a full expression of power. He will conquer and not be conquered. At the end, those “kings of the earth” and the whole world cry to the “rocks and mountains,” “hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb” (6:16-17). In Daniel 7:21 the little horn (papacy) conquers the saints; in Revelation 19:19-20 the Lamb conquers the beast and its followers.

“for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings:” (vs 14)

This is beautiful language. It draws a great contrast with the arrogant pretense that the beast with the earth’s kings make of their powerful positions!

Jesus, the “faithful and true” (Revelation 19:11) has written on His clothes and thigh “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (19:16). Such language is a title of God (Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:2-3; Daniel 2:37, 47; 4:37). “Jesus Christ” was earlier called “the prince of the kings of the earth!” (1:5). This imposing testimony is made more awe-inspiring when it is recalled that overcomers – you and I – will be given authority over nations and will “shepherd them” (Revelation 2:26-27). Jesus is the One who “hath made us kings and priests unto God and his
Father” (1:6).

It is hard to fathom the elevated nature of King Jesus. It is impossible to see how a sinner like me/you is slated, in God’s redemptive plan, to be one of His administrative assistants!

The prediction of the beast’s victory over the saints (Daniel 7:21) is ironically a type of its final defeat by the King of kings.[2] The world defiantly cried, “who is able to make war with him [the beast with the ten horns]?” (13:4). The answer: the “Lamb will conquer them” (17:14).

“Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15).

“and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (vs 14)

Jesus had said that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Those who fight with him are represented as “armies … in heaven … upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean” (19:14). They were called and chosen because they were faithful to the one called “Faithful and True” (19:11).

Chapter 17 doesn’t say that these saints “fought with or for the Lamb.” But it is suggested by the little phrase that King Jesus – the fighting Lamb – had an army of subjects at His side. It is almost invitational! If you want to be on the side that wins – be with Jesus! Incredible – the white horse, representing those saints (6:1-2), is seen going out conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:2).

This is likely the Messianic army of the 144,000.[3] This, intriguingly, ties to another harlot prophecy – the Thyatira church, sympathetic with the wicked Jezebel. The overcomers to that illicit relationship will (Revelation 2:26-28):

1.     Receive power over the nations (from Jesus)

2.     Rule with a rod of iron

3.     Get victory over adversaries just as the Father helped Jesus to do

Those “overcomers” are here called the “faithful.” This indicates the fulfillment of the human response to Christ’s invitation by this select group.[4]

This verse is a vast resource of end-time metaphors.

The Lamb is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is also the general of heaven’s army. The “called” are with that king at the time of victory (implied) when the dragon went to war against them (remnant) (12:17).

The power of the beasts, the kings and the dragon has been depicted. They have been characterized as brutal, ruthless and unjust within the context of persecution and even martyrdom. The verse now brings hope and assurance. The end of repression was prophesied long before.

“It shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7c).

This verse fulfills that prophecy.

References:

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; Prophecy Research Initiative © 2009