Revelation 17:14

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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 - The ten powers of the beast must compose the secular kingdom of antichrist, for they make war with the Lamb, who is Christ Jesus. This is perfectly true of all popish states, for they have constantly opposed, as long as they have had any secular power, the progress of pure Christianity. They make war with the Lamb by persecuting his followers; but the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings - all lords have their authority from him, and no king can reign without him; therefore the ten Latin kings are God's ministers to execute his vengeance upon the idolatrous nations. But when these antichristian monarchies have executed the Divine purpose, those that are with the Lamb - the called, the chosen, and the faithful, those who have kept The Truth in the love of it, shall prevail against all their adversaries, because their battles are fought by the Lamb, who is their God and Deliverer. See Revelation 19:19, Revelation 19:20.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

These shall make war with the Lamb - The Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus (See the notes at Revelation 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 Revelation 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 the notes on Romans 1:7.

And chosen - See the John 15:16 note, and 1 Peter 1:2 note. In their steadfast 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.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect. This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

14. Make war. That is, join battle. With the world united (see on chs. 16:12-16; 17:13) under the leadership of the “beast” of vs. 3, 8, 11, the final stage of the agelong warfare against Christ and His people now begins. This stage of the conflict, termed “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (ch. 16:14), is described more fully in ch. 19:11-21 (see comment there). Under the sixth plague preparations are made for the battle (see on ch. 16:12-16), which is fought under the seventh.

The Lamb. See on ch. 5:6.

Overcome them. God’s faithful people, who have suffered so long at the hands of their enemies (see chs. 6:9-11; 12:13-17; 13:7, 15), are delivered when He who is “Lord of lords, and King of kings” lays bare His mighty arm and comes forth to champion their cause (see on chs. 11:15, 17; 18:20; 19:2, 11-21). Christ intervenes at the moment the forces of evil launch their attack on the saints, at the opening of the seventh plague (see GC 635, 636; see on ch. 16:17).

Lord of lords. The title “Lord of lords, and Kings of kings” is used in Scripture of Christ as He returns to earth to vanquish the hosts of evil and to deliver His loyal people (see 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16; cf. Matt. 25:31; Rev. 1:5; 17:14; GC 427, 428, 613, 614).

With. Gr. meta (see on v. 1), here meaning, “in company with.”

Called. Literally, “invited,” that is, in the NT, to obtain eternal salvation (see on Matt. 22:3, 14).

Chosen. Or, “selected.” Not all who are “called” qualify to be “chosen.” For the distinction between “called” and “chosen” see on Matt. 22:14; cf. on John 1:12.

Faithful. Or, “worthy of trust,” “reliable.” Those who have been “chosen” must remain “faithful,” even “unto death” (ch. 2:10) if necessary, in order to be counted “with him,” that is, with Christ. Addition here of the word “faithful” implies that it is not sufficient to be “called” and “chosen.” In other words, those who once enter into the experience of grace through faith in Christ must “remain” in grace if they are to be eligible to enter the kingdom of glory (see on John 3:18-20; Eph. 1:4, 5; cf. on 1 Cor. 3:15; cf. Eze. 3:20; 18:24; 33:12).

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 3, 392

There Will Be Laws Controlling Conscience—The so-called Christian world is to be the theater of great and decisive actions. Men in authority will enact laws controlling the conscience, after the example of the papacy. Babylon will make all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Every nation will be involved. Of this time John the Revelator declares: 3SM 392.1

“The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow” (Revelation 18:3-7). 3SM 392.2

One Universal Confederacy—“These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 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 17:13, 14). 3SM 392.3

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 3, 423.3

John in the Revelation writes of the unity of those living on the earth to make void the law of God. “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 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 17:13, 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” (chap. 16:13). 3SM 423.3

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7 (EGW), 982-3

13 (2 Timothy 4:7, 8). God Honors the Faithful Aged—There are living upon our earth men who have passed the age of fourscore and ten. The natural results of old age are seen in their feebleness. But they believe God, and God loves them. The seal of God is upon them, and they will be among the number of whom the Lord has said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” With Paul they can say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished by course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also which love his appearing.” There are many whose grey hairs God honors because they have fought a good fight and kept the faith (Letter 207, 1899). 7BC 982.1

2, 3 (Exodus 15:1-19; Deuteronomy 31:30 to 32:44; Isaiah 26:2). The Final Song of Victory—What a song that will be when the ransomed of the Lord meet at the gate of the Holy City, which is thrown back on its glittering hinges and the nations that have kept His word—His commandments—enter into the city, the crown of the overcomer is placed upon their heads, and the golden harps are placed in their hands! All heaven is filled with rich music, and with songs of praise to the Lamb. Saved, everlastingly saved, in the kingdom of glory! To have a life that measures with the life of God—that is the reward (Manuscript 92, 1908). 7BC 982.2

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 371

The heart of the true minister is filled with an intense longing to save souls. Time and strength are spent, toilsome effort is not shunned; for others must hear the truths that brought to his own soul such gladness and peace and joy. The Spirit of Christ rests upon him. He watches for souls as one that must give an account. With his eyes fixed on the cross of Calvary, beholding the uplifted Saviour, relying on His grace, believing that He will be with him until the end, as his shield, his strength, his efficiency, he works for God. With invitations and pleadings, mingled with the assurances of God's love, he seeks to win souls to Jesus, and in heaven he is numbered among those who are “called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14. AA 371.1

This chapter is based on the Epistle to the Romans.

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