Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

As elsewhere in the Apocalypse, to “make war” does not mean to wage a military campaign but refers to hostility against and destruction of God’s people in whatever manner and through whatever means the beast may choose (11:7; 12:7, 17; 16:14; 17:14; 19:11, 19; 20:8; 2 Corinthians 10:4). “To conquer” them refers not to the subversion of their faith but to the destruction of their physical lives (cf. Matthew 10:28). Their apparent defeat by the beast and his victory turn out in reality to be the victory of the saints and the defeat of the beast (15:2). Messiahlike universal dominion was given the beast by the dragon .