Revelation 17:14
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This verse doesn't just state that believers win; it reveals why they are on Christ's victorious side in the first place. Their "called, chosen, and faithful" status isn't earned by them but is an active description of their belonging to Him, highlighting their divinely initiated participation in His ultimate triumph. It's a powerful reminder that our involvement in God's work is rooted in His selection and unwavering faithfulness to us.
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse anticipates a final, climactic conflict where political powers allied with the forces of evil will directly oppose Jesus, referred to here as the "Lamb." This confrontation is not a surprise attack but the culmination of ongoing opposition, and it sets the stage for a divine victory. The passage emphasizes that Christ's ultimate triumph is assured because of His supreme authority as "Lord of lords and King of kings," and the unwavering loyalty of His followers, who are divinely called, chosen, and faithful.
Why does the text declare the Lamb will conquer? It's not just about might, but about ultimate authority. This verse reveals a cosmic truth about who truly reigns.
The central reason for the Lamb's victory is His supreme authority. The text exclaims, 'for he is Lord of lords and King of kings.' This isn't just a title; it's a declaration of His inherent power and dominion over all earthly rulers and powers. No king, no empire, no force can ultimately stand against Him.
This means that even when it looks like evil is winning, and when His followers face intense opposition, the outcome is already decided. His reign is not temporary or conditional; it is eternal and absolute.
Who are the 'they' who stand with the conquering Lamb? It's not an army of the powerful, but a specific group defined by their relationship with Christ.
The text doesn't just highlight the Lamb's victory; it also describes His companions: 'those with him are called and chosen and faithful.' This isn't about who they are in terms of worldly status, but about who God has made them.
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These three qualities ensure their participation in His victory.
Understand the original words
arnion · Greek Noun
A title for Jesus Christ, highlighting His role as the sacrificial offering who takes away the sin of the world and the victorious King who overcomes His enemies.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A sovereign ruler with supreme authority; in the New Testament, this title is applied to Christ to declare His ultimate supremacy over all human and spiritual powers.
basileus · Greek Noun
One who holds supreme, absolute rule over a territory or people; Christ is the ultimate King, to whom all other kings are subordinate.
klētos, eklektos, pistos · Greek Adjective
Those who have been invited by God into His kingdom, set apart for His purposes, and have proven constant and true in their devotion to Him.
This verse speaks to the ongoing cosmic conflict between Christ and the powers of evil, a struggle that began with His earthly ministry and will culminate in His ultimate triumph. The historical context highlights how earthly powers have historically opposed Christ and His followers, but assures believers that Christ's divine authority as Lord of lords and King of kings guarantees His final victory.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified, an event seen by believers as the ultimate sacrifice and the foundational act of the Lamb of God.
c. 30 - 33 AD
Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus is resurrected, appearing to his disciples, and then ascends to heaven, signifying his victory over death and his enthronement as Lord of lords and King of kings.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
The early church grapples with the inclusion of Gentiles, a key moment in defining the 'called and chosen and faithful' who follow Christ beyond ethnic lines.
c. 64-68 AD
Persecution under Nero
The first major imperial persecution of Christians begins in Rome, a historical instance of the world 'making war on the Lamb' through his followers.
c. 95 AD— this verse
Writing of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is written by the Apostle John, likely during his exile on the island of Patmos, to encourage persecuted Christians under Roman rule.
c. 313 AD
Edict of Milan
Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire and marking a shift from overt imperial persecution to a more complex relationship between church and state.
c. 476 AD
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
The traditional date for the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, a significant event leading to the rise of new political powers in Europe, some of which would later be seen as aligned with the 'beast' or opposing Christ's kingdom.
David, facing a mighty giant, declares that he fights not in his own strength, but in the name of the LORD of hosts, echoing the ultimate victory of the Lamb who is also Lord of lords.
Psalm 2:1-4This psalm describes earthly rulers conspiring against the Lord and his Anointed, a theme mirrored in Revelation 17:14 where opposing powers wage war against the Lamb.
1 Timothy 6:15-16This passage explicitly calls Jesus 'King of kings and Lord of lords,' directly reinforcing the title given to the Lamb in Revelation 17:14 as the ultimate authority.
John 15:16Jesus tells his disciples that he chose them, not the other way around, aligning with the description of the faithful followers in Revelation 17:14 as 'called and chosen.'
Revelation 19:11-16This passage provides a more detailed account of the Lamb's victory, showing Christ as the Word of God leading armies from heaven, fulfilling the promise of his triumph over those who war against him.
barnesRevelation 17:14: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
These shall make war with the Lamb - The Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus (See the notes at Revelation 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 practic…
pulpitRevelation 17:14: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
Verse 14. - These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; shall war against. This connects the description with Revelation 16:34 and with Revelation 19:11-21. This war between the Lamb and the powers of evil is that which extends throughout the history of the world (vide infr…
This verse doesn't just state that believers win; it reveals why they are on Christ's victorious side in the first place. Their "called, chosen, and faithful" status isn't earned by them but is an active description of their belonging to Him, highlighting their divinely initiated participation in His ultimate triumph. It's a powerful reminder that our involvement in God's work is rooted in His selection and unwavering faithfulness to us.
This verse anticipates a final, climactic conflict where political powers allied with the forces of evil will directly oppose Jesus, referred to here as the "Lamb." This confrontation is not a surprise attack but the culmination of ongoing opposition, and it sets the stage for a divine victory. The passage emphasizes that Christ's ultimate triumph is assured because of His supreme authority as "Lord of lords and King of kings," and the unwavering loyalty of His followers, who are divinely called, chosen, and faithful.
This verse anticipates a final, climactic conflict where political powers allied with the forces of evil will directly oppose Jesus, referred to here as the "Lamb." This confrontation is not a surprise attack but the culmination of ongoing opposition, and it sets the stage for a divine victory. The passage emphasizes that Christ's ultimate triumph is assured because of His supreme authority as "Lord of lords and King of kings," and the unwavering loyalty of His followers, who are divinely called, chosen, and faithful.
"They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”" — This verse doesn't just state that believers win; it reveals why they are on Christ's victorious side in the first place. Their "called, chosen, and faithful" status isn't earned by them but is an…
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Last reviewed October 2026
