Revelation 13:5

“And there was given unto him a mouth, etc.] The beast is said to have a mouth before, like the mouth of a lion, (<661302>Revelation 13:2); but now he was moved and stirred up by the dragon, the devil, to open it, not only in a cruel and voracious way, but in a haughty, lying, and blasphemous manner: and this was given him, it was at the instigation of Satan, and by divine permission; his coming, speaking, and acting, were after the working of Satan, but not without the will of God; who, as he gave up many to a judicial blindness, to believe his lies and blasphemies, gave up him to speak them, as follows: speaking great things, and blasphemies; great swelling words of vanity; calling himself…”

“blasphemies--So ANDREAS reads. B reads "blasphemy." A, "blasphemous things" (compare Dan 7:8; Dan 11:25). power--"authority"; legitimate power (Greek, "exousia"). to continue--Greek, "poiesai," "to act," or "work." B reads, "to make war" (compare Rev 13:4). But A, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS omit "war." forty . . . two month--(See on Rev 11:2-3; Rev 12:6).”

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things - John does not say by whom this was given; but we may suppose that it was by the “dragon,” who is said Revelation 13:2 to have given him his power, and seat, and authority. The fulfillment of this is found in the claims set up by the princes and rulers here referred to - that mighty secular power that sustained the papacy, and that was, in some sort, a part of the papacy itself. These arrogant claims consisted in the assertion of a divine right; in the power assumed over the liberty, the property, and the consciences of the people; in the arbitrary commands that were issued; and in the right asserted of giving absolute law. The…”

“13:5-8 The four characteristics of the beast are that he (1) blasphemes God, (2) has authority for a limited time, (3) makes war against God’s people, and (4) rules the world. But God is in control. 13:5 The forty-two months are the three and a half years of persecution and evil domination (see study note on 11:2-3).”

“a mouth: Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:25, Dan 11:36 and power: Rev 11:2, Rev 11:3, Rev 12:6, Rev 12:14 to continue: or, to make war, Rev 13:7, Rev 11:7 Revelation 13:6”