There is a problem with the text of this verse. It can be translated in two different ways and one finds these differences already in the oldest manuscripts. The first version is the one quoted above, which is also similar to the Authorised Version: “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” This reminds us of texts such as: “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind,” as God said to Noah.2 Also: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword,” the Lord Jesus said to Peter, who wanted to defend Him by force of arms.3
The Revised Standard Version says of Revelation 13:10: “If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if any one slays with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.” It looks as if verse 10a should be translated in this way—for that is what it says literally—“If anyone [is destined] to captivity, to captivity he goes.” Does this not remind us of what the Lord says through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah: “Then the Lord said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me (to plead again), My heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from My presence! Let them go! And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.”’4 Imprisonment and/or death await them. There are no other options. It simply must and will happen. There is no other way. Know about it and be prepared for it. ‘Whoever has an ear, let him hear’ and we can make the strong decision: I will persevere, for I want to be among the ‘victors’, the ‘overcomers’.
Verse 10b should be translated: If anyone will kill with the sword, that person must himself be killed with the sword. That is a comfort: the executioners will not escape their due punishment in God’s judgment. That is also a warning against armed resistance in those days in this text, for the saints will be defeated.5 It will be either imprisonment or death, but not a victory by armed resistance as in the time of the Eighty Years’ War or the Second World War. ‘This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people’.
It was against the background of the situation in the Roman Empire in which John, and all his fellow-partakers in the tribulation (Revelation 1:9), found themselves, when he received and wrote the Book of Revelation. An historic setting that serves as a model for the ‘great tribulation’. It becomes very clear and it is completely comprehensible that John does not mean ‘armed resistance’, but meek, spiritual resistance like turning the other cheek, Luke 6:29.
Holding on to Christ and His Word, loving those who are persecuting you—this is even how the Roman Empire was rolled up from within by the patiently endurance of the Christian martyrs, after a few centuries. Whatever persecutions the Romans tried: the blood of the Christian martyrs became the seed of the Church, and finally even ‘conquered’ the Roman Empire within a few centuries. Suffering, trial unto death, imprisonment, the sword, and then holding on to what you have (Revelation 2:25; 3:11): this calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. Victory lies in subjection, not in avoidance. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”6
• The Revised Standard Version is correct as far as verse 10a is concerned; the NIV translation and the Standard Version are correct as far as verse 10b is concerned. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is Mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.7 His Coming is very near. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.8
• The Eighty Years’ War (Dutch: Tachtigjarige Oorlog; Spanish: Guerra de los Ochenta Años) or Dutch War of Independence (1568–1648) was a revolt of the Seventeen Provinces. The Seventeen Provinces were the Imperial states of the Habsburg Netherlands in the 16th century. They roughly covered the Low Countries, i.e. what is now the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and most of the French departments of Nord (French Flanders and French Hainaut) and Pas-de-Calais (Artois) against Philip II of Spain, the sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands.
• Many in the Netherlands fought for their freedom of religion. Many in Holland followed the ideas of John Calvin and other Reformers against the suppressing Spanish Roman Catholic powers.
Bible References:
1.NIV 2.Genesis 6:9 NIV 3.Matthew 26:52 NIV 4.Jeremiah 15:1–2 NIV 5.Revelation 13:7; Daniel 7:21 6.Revelation 22:12 7.Romans 12:9–21 8.Revelation 2:10; 3:11
