Revelation 11:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when they have proclaimed all these things, they will fall by the sword, killed by the devil. They will complete their testimony, as Daniel also says of this. He foresaw that the beast ascending from the abyss would make war against them, that is, against Enoch, Elijah, and John. He would overcome them and kill them because they do not wish to give glory to the devil, that is, to the little horn that ascends. Having become puffed up in heart, he will finally begin to proclaim and glorify himself as God. At the same time, he will persecute the saints and blaspheme Christ (see Dan 7).

When the departure from his deception becomes known, the beast, that is, the antichrist, will come out from the dark and nether places into which the devil was cast. By God's permission, he will kill them, [...]

They testify that this one is not Christ, but a liar, deceiver, and destroyer. Soon the Son of God will come, in Whom one must believe as Savior and God. He will come to benefit mankind, both those who appeared before and those now appearing.

It is said: “the beast that comes up from the abyss.” He calls the antichrist a beast because of his cruelty, inhumanity, and bloodthirstiness. He calls human life an abyss, bitter and salty from sins, and troubled by the assaults of the spirits of wickedness. For the sinner is not born from some other essence, but from our human nature. The antichrist will be a man, “whose coming is according to the working of Satan” (2 Thess 2:9), as was just said.

John openly shows that all this will happen before the final persecutions, saying: “when they have finished their testimony.” At least, that to which they bear witness will occur before the manifestation of the beast, who will come forth from the hearts of the ungodly.

Relying on this testimony, they will fiercely contend with their opponents. Yet, according to tradition, at that time the gift of perfection will be taken from the Church, while the adversary will openly shine with lying wonders. As the Lord says, “terror runs before him” (Job 41:14).

By the abyss one should understand the present world. It is plunged into the darkness of ignorance of God, unstable, bitter and salty, and corrupt. It is deep with low-flowing passions, filled with base desires, and flooded and shaken by waves of cares. It resists and is storm-tossed by the winds of circumstance.

From this abyss the antichrist will arise, a man descended from the tribe of Dan, one of the sons of the Old Testament patriarch Jacob. He is a beast not in outward form, but in character, disposition, and state of soul. He rushes wildly and brutally against the saints.

If truth sometimes seems conquered for a time, and if its witnesses appear dishonored and destroyed, this is only so that truth may be given the opportunity to triumph. It will appear with new power, just as the Lord rose after being put to death on the Cross.