Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 13:7

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation." — Revelation 13:7 (ASV)

And it was given to him. By the same power that taught him to blaspheme God and his church. (See Barnes on Revelation 12:2, 5).

To make war with the saints. See this fully illustrated in Barnes on Daniel 7:21, and at the end of that chapter.

And to overcome them. In those wars. This was abundantly fulfilled in the wars with the Waldenses, the Albigenses, and the other sincere followers of the Saviour in the time of the Papal persecutions. The language used here is the same as that which is found in Daniel 7:21: The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.

And power was given him. (See Barnes on Revelation 13:2).

Over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. For the meaning of these words, see Barnes on Revelation 7:9.

The meaning here is that this dominion was set up over the world. . The fact that so large a portion of the kingdoms of the earth was under the influence of the Papacy and sustained it; and the claim which it set up to universal dominion, and to the right of deposing kings, and giving away kingdoms, corresponds entirely with the language used here.

(See Luke 4:6 regarding the word power).