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 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).
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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