Rev 16:14, 17:12-14 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 14. For they are the spirits of devils . On the meaning of the word used here, . It is used here, as it is in , in a bad sense as denoting evil spirits. Compare Barnes on "Mt 4:1-2,24" . Working miracles . Working what seemed to be miracles; that is, such wonders as to deceive the world with the belief that they were miracles. , where the same power is ascribed to the "beast." Which go forth unto the kings of the earth . Which particularly affect and influence kings and rulers. No class of men have been more under the influence of Pagan superstition, Mohammedan delusion, or the Papacy, than kings and princes. We are taught by this passage that this will continue to be so in the circumstances referred to. And of the whole world . That is, so far that it might be represented as affecting the whole world--to wit, the Heathen, the Mohammedan, and the Papal portions of the earth. These still embrace so large a portion of the globe, that it might be said that what would affect those powers now would influence the whole world. To gather them . Not literally to assemble them all in one place, but so to unite and combine them that it might be represented as an assembling of the hosts for battle. To the battle of that great day of God Almighty . Not the day of judgment, but the day which would determine the ascendency of true religion in the world--the final conflict with those powers which had so long opposed the gospel. It is not necessary to suppose that there would be a literal " battle ," in which God would be seen to contend with his foes; but there would be that which might be properly represented as a battle. That is, there would be a combined struggle against the truth, and in that God would appear by his Providence and Spirit on the side of the church, and would give it the victory. It accords with all that has occurred in the past, to suppose that there will be such a combined struggle before the church shall finally triumph in the world. (d) "devils" (e) "miracles" (f) "whole world" (g) "battle"

Revelation of John 16:14

Verse 14. For they are the spirits of devils. On the meaning of the word used here, Rev 9:20. It is used here, as it is in Rev 9:20, in a bad sense as denoting evil spirits. Compare Barnes on "Mt 4:1-2,24".

Working miracles. Working what seemed to be miracles; that is, such wonders as to deceive the world with the belief that they were miracles. Rev 13:13-14, where the same power is ascribed to the "beast."

Which go forth unto the kings of the earth. Which particularly affect and influence kings and rulers. No class of men have been more under the influence of Pagan superstition, Mohammedan delusion, or the Papacy, than kings and princes. We are taught by this passage that this will continue to be so in the circumstances referred to.

And of the whole world. That is, so far that it might be represented as affecting the whole world--to wit, the Heathen, the Mohammedan, and the Papal portions of the earth. These still embrace so large a portion of the globe, that it might be said that what would affect those powers now would influence the whole world.

To gather them. Not literally to assemble them all in one place, but so to unite and combine them that it might be represented as an assembling of the hosts for battle.

To the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Not the day of judgment, but the day which would determine the ascendency of true religion in the world--the final conflict with those powers which had so long opposed the gospel. It is not necessary to suppose that there would be a literal "battle," in which God would be seen to contend with his foes; but there would be that which might be properly represented as a battle. That is, there would be a combined struggle against the truth, and in that God would appear by his Providence and Spirit on the side of the church, and would give it the victory. It accords with all that has occurred in the past, to suppose that there will be such a combined struggle before the church shall finally triumph in the world.

(d) "devils" 1Timm 4:1 (e) "miracles" 2Thes 2:9 (f) "whole world" 1Jn 5:19 (g) "battle" Rev 19:19

Revelation of John 17:12-14

Verse 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest. On the scarlet-coloured beast, Rev 17:3.

Are ten kings. Represent or denote ten kings; that is, kingdoms or powers. Dan 7:24.

Which have received no kingdom as yet. That is, they were not in existence when John wrote. It is implied, that during the period under review they would arise, and would become connected, in an important sense, with the power here represented by the "beast." For a full illustration respecting the ten "kings," or kingdoms here referred to, see Barnes on Daniel 7, at the close of the chapter, II., (2.).

But receive power. It is not said from what source this power is received, but it is simply implied that it would in fact be conferred on them.

As kings. That is, the power would be that which is usually exercised by kings.

One hour. It cannot be supposed that this is to be taken literally. The meaning clearly is, that this would be brief and temporary; that is, it was a form of administration which would be succeeded by one more fixed and permanent. Any one can see that, in fact, this is strictly applicable to the governments which sprang up after the incursion of the Northern barbarians, and which were finally succeeded by the permanent forms of government in Europe. Most of them were very brief in their duration, and they were soon remodelled in the forms of permanent administration. Thus, to take the arrangement proposed by Sir Isaac Newton,

(1) the kingdom of the Vandals and/klans in Spain and Africa;

(2) the kingdom of the Suevians in Spain;

(3) the kingdom of the Visigoths;

(4) the kingdom of the Alans in Gallia;

(5) the kingdom of the Burgundians;

(6) the kingdom of the Franks;

(7) the kingdom of the Britons;

(8) the kingdom of the Huns;

(9) the kingdom of the Lombards;

(10) the kingdom of Ravenna--how temporary were most of these; how soon they passed into the more permanent forms of administration which succeeded them in Europe!

With the beast. With that rising Papal power. They would exercise their authority in connexion with that, and under its influence.

(a) "ten horns" Dan 7:20, Zech 1:18-21 Verse 13. These have one mind. That is, they are united in the promotion of the same object. Though in some respects wholly independent of each other, yet they may be regarded as, in fact, so far united that they tend to promote the same ultimate end. As a fact in history, all these kingdoms, though of different origin, and though not unfrequently engaged in war with each other, became Roman Catholics, and were united in the support of the Papacy. It was with propriety, therefore, that they should be regarded as so closely connected with that power that they could be represented as "ten horns" on the seven-headed monster.

And shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Shall lend their influence to the support of the Papacy, and become the upholders of that power. The meaning, according to the interpretation above proposed, is, that they would all become Papal kingdoms, and supporters of the Papal power. It is unnecessary to pause to show how true this has been in history. At first, most of the people out of whom these kingdoms sprang were Pagans; then many of them embraced Christianity under the prevailing form of Arianism, and this fact was for a time a bar to their perfect adhesion to the Roman See; but they were all ultimately brought wholly under its influence, and became its supporters. In A.D. 496, Clovis, the king of the Franks, on occasion of his victory over the Allemanni, embraced the Catholic faith, and so received the title transmitted downward through nearly thirteen hundred years to the French kings as his successors, of "the eldest son of the church;" in the course of the sixth century, the kings of Burgundy, Bavaria, Spain, Portugal, England, embraced the same religion, and became the defenders of the Papacy. It is well known that each one of the powers above enumerated as constituting these ten kingdoms, became subject to the Papacy, and continued so during their separate existence, or when merged into some other power, until the Reformation in the sixteenth century, All "their power and strength was given unto the beast;" all was made subservient to the purposes of Papal Rome. Verse 14. These shall make war with the Lamb. The Lamb of God--the Lord Jesus, (Barnes on "Re 5:6";) that is, they would combine with the Papacy in opposing evangelical religion. It is not meant that they would openly and avowedly proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically do this in sustaining a persecuting power. It is unnecessary to show how true this has been in history; how entirely they sustained the Papacy in all its measures of persecution.

And the Lamb shall overcome them. Shall ultimately gain the victory over them. The meaning is, that they would not be able to extinguish the true religion. In spite of all opposition and persecution, that would still live in the world, until it would be said that a complete triumph was gained.

For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. He has supreme power over all the earth, and all kings and princes are subject to his control. Compare Rev 19:16.

And they that are with him. The reference is to the persecuted saints who have adhered to him as his faithful followers in all these protracted conflicts.

Are called. That is, called by him to be his followers; as if he had selected them out of the world to maintain his cause. Rom 1:7.

And chosen. Jn 15:16; 1Pet 1:2. In their stedfast adherence to the truth, they had shown that they were truly chosen by the Saviour, and could be relied on in the warfare against the powers of evil.

And faithful. They had shown themselves faithful to him in times of persecution, and in the hour of darkness.

(b) "make war with the Lamb" Rev 19:19 (a) "shall overcome" Jer 50:44 (b) "Lord of Lords" Rev 19:16, De 10:17, 1Timm 6:15 (c) "they" Mic 5:8,9 (d) "called" Rom 8:30,37 (e) "chosen" Jn 15:16 (f) "faithful" Rev 2:10