“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation - the beast's dominion appears absolute and universal, suggesting the final empire of human rebellion. Yet 'given' authority implies a limit set by God; the beast operates only within divine permission.
Church Fathers on Revelation 13:7
“And I saw a beast rising up from the sea, like a leopard.” This signifies the kingdom of that time of Antichrist, and the people mingled with the variety of nations. “His feet were as the feet of a bear.” A strong and most unclean beast, the feet are to be understood as his leaders. “And his mouth as the mouth of a lion.” That is, his mouth armed for blood is his bidding, and a tongue which will proceed to nothing else than to the shedding of blood. * * * * * * * *
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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