Revelation 13:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"And authority was given him over every tribe and tongue." He will use his authority against every tribe and people, but he will gain possession only of those whose names are not written in the book of life.

As I have already said, he received authority from those men who of their own will submitted to his destructive dominion. Well is it said, "And all who dwell on the earth will worship him."

For apart from God-fearing Israel, which had already undergone this, every other race of men and every tribe worshiped the sinner.

"Whose names are not written in the heavenly book of life of the One slain from the foundation of the world." The vision sets very clear limits. Although it is said that all who dwell on the earth will worship the apostate devil, there were also many who did not stain themselves by serving him.

Some were from the nations and some from Israel, such as Job, his four friends, Melchizedek, the holy prophets of Israel, and those whose piety is witnessed in the Old Testament.

The words, "he opened his mouth," show that the Antichrist appeared with shameful bravado. What he had earlier blasphemed in secret, he now dared to blaspheme openly, when he dared to claim for himself the honor given uniquely to Christ.

He speaks impious words arrogantly because he is Christ's enemy and desires to be received as Christ. He does this either by forcing himself upon men or by subjecting them through deceit.

For a time he will receive authority, using it for evil and wishing to harm the Body of Christ. Yet Christ is glorified all the more by persecutors through the suffering inflicted upon Him. For this reason Christ is crucified ever more mercilessly with His saints.

The beast will torment and rule over the pious, as tormentors did before him. He will deceive many, not among those who are mindful of God, but among those who only seem pious. They are called those who dwell on the earth, that is, those who cling to what is earthly and corruptible. Such people he draws into impiety in the same way as tyrants before him drew many away from piety, persuading them to worship the devil.

The ideology of paganism bitterly drove Christianity out of every province of every state in all times. The disciples of Christ were ready for this (cf. Mt 10:23). Yet a time will come when no genuine Christians remain. St Andrew says: "The beast will use evil authority over every tribe and tongue, but he will rule only those whose names are not written in the book of life."

The trial for God's saints will be dreadful. The persecutor's malice, hypocrisy, and miracles will strive to deceive and beguile them. Subtle persecutions and constraints, devised and concealed by treacherous ingenuity, and the tormentor's unlimited authority, will place them in the most difficult position. Their small number will seem insignificant before all mankind, and special weakness will be attributed to their opinion. Common contempt, hatred, slander, oppression, and violent death will become their lot. Only with the special help of divine grace, and under its guidance, will God's elect be able to withstand the enemy of God and confess the Lord Jesus before him and before men.

The Antichrist will raise up a fierce persecution against Christians. He will demand divine worship for himself from all, will draw many after him, and will put to death those who do not follow him.

"And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" (cf. Dan 7:21). "And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (v. 8).

"And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (Rev 13:15).

He will be marked by blasphemy and by every kind of violence against those who do not submit to him, that is, against the saints. "He will open his mouth for blasphemy against God," saying, for example, that He is not the one true God.

He will blaspheme the name of God, that is, His nature and attributes. He will say, for example, that He is not almighty, not holy, and the like. He will open blasphemous lips against His dwelling, that is, against the holy Church of the Lord.

In Scripture, the Church is also called the dwelling or temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17). He will even spew blasphemy against those who dwell in heaven, that is, against those who have departed in piety and faith in Christ.