The Call to Endure

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10 If anyone is to be taken captive,
    to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
    with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

The revelation John had been given had increasingly intensified, so he was not shocked by the two beasts he now sees in this chapter, nor by the fact that most in the world seem to follow after, even worship the beast and the dragon, which had given him such power over the world. He is not shocked that they are allowed to "make war on the saints and to conquer them."  After all, John himself was in exile and many of his fellow believers were suffering persecution.  Yet, he gives an exhortation for believers to endure and stand fast in their faith.  No matter what happens, no matter for how long, may we continue to trust Christ.