Revelation 13:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

NIV: It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

NASB: And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

CSB: It began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme his name and his dwelling—those who dwell in heaven.

NLT: And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling — that is, those who dwell in heaven.

KJV: And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

NKJV: Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

The beast depicted here is the end-times figure known as the Antichrist. He shows utter contempt for God, insulting God by declaring himself divine (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The beast blasphemes not only God but also those who dwell in heaven. In Psalm 73, Asaph described arrogant, prosperous people as setting their mouths against the heavens (Psalm 73:9). And Psalm 74:18 calls "foolish" those who revile the name of God. The beast will blaspheme God and display enormous pride, but he is foolish to do so and ultimately will discover where his foolishness lands him.

In Leviticus, God pronounced the death penalty for anyone who blasphemed His name. He said, "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him" (Leviticus 24:16). The Lord will put a sudden end to the beast's blasphemy by consigning him to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

First Timothy 1:20 names two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul handed over to Satan so they would learn not to blaspheme. These scriptural references show how seriously God responds to blasphemy.

Revelation 13:5–10 further describes the actions of the figure most commonly called ''Antichrist:'' the first beast of this chapter and the sixth of seven major characters in this part of Revelation. This beast from the sea is both an empire and a ferocious ruler. He is also mentioned in Daniel 7:23–24 and Revelation 17:9–11. Matthew 4:8 demonstrates the fact that the Devil possesses the kingdoms and therefore can grant the final world empire to the beast from the sea. Daniel 2:36–41 predicts the beast's kingdom.

This chapter exposes two evil men, ''beasts'' who serve the Devil. The first beast arises from the sea, presumably the Mediterranean. The second beast arises from the land, possibly Israel. The first beast dominates the final form of the Roman Empire and sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This first figure is the one most often labelled as ''Antichrist.'' The second beast acts as prophet, priest, and king in Israel. As such, he imitates Christ, but he is a False Prophet. This corrupted religious leader sets up an image of the first beast in the temple and commands everyone to worship it. The false prophet executes those who refuse to worship the image. Further, he causes everyone to receive the name or the number of the first beast on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this identifying mark, no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is 666.

Revelation 13 introduces the last two major figures described in this extended section. Two ''beasts,'' which are actually evil, powerful men, corrupt Israel by forcing idolatry on everyone. While not explicitly given these names in the Bible, the two men mentioned here are most often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Later, The Lord sends the northern aggressor into Israel to punish their idolatry. This text also mentions two other infamous concepts: the mark of the beast, and the number 666, which are mentioned in later verses as identifying those who have rejected God in favor of Satan. Related Scriptures are Exodus 20:1–6; Daniel 2:31–43; 7:1–8; and Revelation chapters 9 and 12.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''