And when they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the pit [See 13:1ff; 17:3,7] will wage war against them, and overpower and kill them.
And he was given [the power] to wage war against the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] and to conquer them; and he was given authority over every tribe, race, language group and nation.
And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox [Note: This is a metaphor signifying the sly, cunning nature of King Herod], ‘Look, I am driving out evil spirits and performing [miraculous] healings today and tomorrow, but on the third day I will be finished.’
And I will give [authority] to my two witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, wearing sackcloth” [i.e., a black, coarse cloth made of goat’s hair].
But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God’s unearned favor [through Christ].
After drinking some of the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,” [i.e., His work of dying for the sins of mankind] and gave up His spirit [i.e., to God. See Luke 23:46].
And the evil spirits begged Jesus not to require them to go away into the “pit” [Note: This appears to be the place reserved for the devil and his evil spirits. See Rev. 9:1-11; 20:1-3].
Then the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to wage war against the rest of the woman’s offspring, who obey God’s commandments and who remain true to their testimony about Jesus.