The nations had trampled the courts outside the temple for 42 months (Revelation 11:2), and for the same period, 1,260 days, the witnesses had prophesied of the Lord’s gospel despite the trampling (Revelation 11:3) and demonstrated their superiority (Revelation 11:5f). Now that this season for prophesying is over, the beast from the abyss arises to destroy the church. Here is the battle that was first mentioned in Genesis 3:15 where the seed of the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman. This battle has continued ever since, including the centuries between Jesus’ ascension and his return. Always there has been an ebb and flow in history, a season for prophesying and a season for oppression.
7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,