They will make war on the Lamb: this includes the ten kings and the beast, so it may be better to say explicitly “the beast and they” or “the ten kings and the beast.” For the verb “to make war” see 2.16.

The Lamb: see 5.6.

A comparison between Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation shows that Good News Bible has not followed the order of the Greek text. It seems best to join the Lamb’s followers to the Lamb in the statement about the Lamb’s victory over the beast and the ten kings, and many translators may wish to follow Good News Bible‘s model here. The text implies that they take part in the battle and share in the Lamb’s victory—which Revised Standard Version does not make clear. Translator’s New Testament has “will share his victory” at the end of the verse, which follows the order of the Greek text. And New Jerusalem Bible translates “the Lamb will defeat them, he and his followers….” However, in languages where dependent clauses always precede the main clause, it will be necessary to reorder these sentences; for example, “but the Lamb, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, will with his called, chosen, and faithful followers defeat the beast and the ten kings.”

For he is Lord of lords and King of kings: this is a way of expressing the superlative “the greatest Lord, the mightiest King,” “the Lord and King of all.” This is the reason why he will defeat his enemies. The same kind of language is used of God in the Old Testament (see Deut 10.17; Dan 2.47). In certain languages this will be expressed as “he is the most powerful ruler and highest chief of all.” On the translation of king see 1.5 and elsewhere.

Those with him are called and chosen and faithful: the meaning may be expressed by “his followers are those whom God has called and chosen, and who are faithful to him.” For faithful see 1.5; 2.10.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• The beast and the ten kings will attack (or, fight against) the Lamb, but the Lamb and his followers will defeat them. This is because he is the greatest Lord, the almighty King, His followers are those whom God has called and chosen, and who are faithful (or, loyal) to him.”

Or:

• … and his followers will have the victory over them. The Lamb will defeat the beast and the ten kings because he is the most powerful ruler and highest king (or, chief) of all, and his followers….”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .