Revelation 17:14; Called and Chosen and Faithful
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
The “called, and chosen, and faithful” who are with the Lord of lords and King of kings, our Lord Jesus at His return, will over the kings of the earth. The contextual consideration imply the sense that they will overcome. Otherwise, the words have no relevance to the subject of the rest of the sentence.
Those described by the three adjectives must be the same as the armies which are in heaven that return with the triumphant warrior-king in Revelation 19:14 (cf. Jude 14). (Charles, Scott, Simth)
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Jude 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
This agrees with the promise to the overcomers in Thyatira, that the saints will share in this victory (Moffatt).
“Called”, “chosen” and “faithful” can apply only to saints, not to angels (Scott). The word “called” and “chosen” occur together in Matthew 22:24, where Jesus’ statement is “many are called, but few are chosen”.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
To be chosen by God is more than being called by Him. In order of time “call” comes first”, but in order of moral significance “chosen” precedes “call” (Swete).
Not all who are called are chosen, but all the chosen are first called (cf. 2 Peter 1:10). (Alford)
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
In Paul’s writing, however, the call of God is always effectual. It amounts to an effectual call in this verse too, because the “chosen” applies to all the “called” in this triple designation. “Faithful” indicates the fulfilment of the human response by this select group. The faithfulness of the saints climaxes the calling and election by God. It is their inevitable response to His initiative. Such a choice group will be fitting associates of the Lamb in His great victory.
[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 303]