Tuesday, 16 March 2021
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Revelation 13:5
The words of this verse are referring to the beast of the previous verse. It was asked, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” The world will look to this great power and follow after it because of its great authority. A great power is generally noted as such because of a great leader. This is not always the case. For example, the United States has been considered a great power even with really crummy leaders.
However, at times, a nation or group of nations is thought as great because of its leader. Such was the case with Nazi Germany. One can hardly think of it without also associating it with Hitler. In the case of this great end-times beast, it too will be great, but it will have a leader that will be the focus of it. Its power will be wielded by him. And more, John says of the beast, “And he was given a mouth speaking great things.”
This is a reference to what is said in Daniel 7:8 –
“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.”
The term “pompous words” is literally translated from the Aramaic “great things.” This end-times leader will be charismatic and able to utter words to convince all of his own greatness, and that the power he yields is without match. John also says, “and blasphemies.”
This indicates that this ruler (the man of sin of 2 Thessalonians 2:3), who is the antichrist, will speak against God. He will claim that it is he who is the savior of the world. Paul clearly states this of him in 2 Thessalonians. He says it is he “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Understanding this, John next says, “and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.”
The words, “and he was given,” speak of allowance. In other words, he only has what he has received, and he has received only because God has allowed it to be so. Recorded millennia ago, the prophecies of Daniel 9 foretold these events would come, and that they will occur in connection with the presence of this man of sin. Paul then gives more details for the world to understand who he would be and what the state of the world will be like. After that, John has confirmed the allowed span of time saying that his authority will continue for forty-two months.
This is exactly what the first half of Daniel 9:27 said would occur –
“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.”
A week here means seven years. Seven years are granted, but at the halfway mark of those seven years, this antichrist will sit “as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” One-half of seven years is forty-two months. The timeline has been given, the details have been explained, and John confirms the overall scenario for the end times once again in Revelation.
This is the time of disaster that Jesus spoke of for the Jews of the end times. Everything needed to understand the scenario has been given. If they will pay heed, they will be prepared to make their flight into the mountains.
Life application: The words of Daniel 9 are directed to the people of Israel. Jesus was speaking to the people of Israel when He referred to these coming events in the synoptic gospels. Paul’s timeline clearly shows that the church will not be present when these events occur. And John’s words now in Revelation fully support the notion that the main events of Revelation are focused on the nation of Israel.
For those who believe the church has replaced Israel, there is a sad disconnect between their understanding the covenants and of the faithfulness of the Lord in relation to those covenants. It is no wonder pastors and preachers teach that one can lose his salvation. If covenant faithfulness is up to us, such would be the case. But it is not. When the Lord speaks, He will be faithful, even when those He covenants with are unfaithful.
Have faith in the promises of the Lord, even when you fail Him. He has been faithful to unfaithful Israel for millennia, and He will be faithful to see you through the end that He agreed to when you received His offer of pardon and peace. That was the day you received JESUS.
Lord God, thank You for our hope. Thank You for the giving of Your Son so that we have full, final, and forever restoration with You because of Him. We thank You and praise You for our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.