It Isn’t Supposed to End This Way

(Rev 13:7 KJV)  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.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

I am not a student of the end times.  I read Revelation and Daniel when they come up in order but I quickly get to the point where I just scratch my head.  This is one of those scratchy places.  

“Saints” (40) is the designation used to refer to the redeemed that make up the church.  The marginal reading says “holy ones”.  The Greek word means “holy” but here it is preceded by “the” which make “the saints” correct.  This “war” (4171) is not a figurative expression of general persecution or harsh talk.  It is a literal expression of battles and weapons.  If taken literally this seems to be saying that the part of the visible church that is God’s is going to lose.

So?  It isn’t supposed to happen that way, but there it is.  How much this is about actual killing and mayhem and how much is a figure of speech is beyond me.  I cling to the fact that I have read to the end and I know who wins.