Revelation 13:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The forty-two months signify that, by God's permission, he will have power to blaspheme God and oppress the saints for three and a half years.

By these forty-two months we understand the time of the final persecutions. "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God." Clearly this signifies those who have gone out from the catholic Church. Though it seemed earlier that they secretly held the supposedly right faith within the Church, now in persecution they utter blasphemy against God with open mouth. "And His dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven," that is, this is blasphemy against the saints contained in the Church, who are called heaven, for they are the dwelling of God.

When all submitted and fell under his feet, "there was given him a mouth speaking proud and blasphemous things." Given by whom? By men deceived and worshiping him. For boasting comes from arrogance. What is worse than this? What is worse than the words: "I will ascend into heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne" (Is 14:13)? And a little below: "I will be like the Most High" (Is 14:14). Isaiah mocks him because these words are blasphemy against God. "And authority was given him to act for forty-two months." We have previously accepted that forty-two months signify a short time. For every time is short in comparison with the endless ages, even if it seems very great. Dionysius of Alexandria referred these verses to the persecutions of the Church by the emperor Valerian.

These months make three years and six months, which above signified the character of the present time, but here foretell the severity of the last persecution. Here Primasius follows Tyconius. For if you multiply the four known regions of the world by the ten commandments of the law, which signify perfection, you obtain forty. And if to this you add the fulfillment of the twofold commandment of love, the result must be forty-two. For words spoken without being confirmed by deeds are of no help at all. It is said of the Church that for a time she was protected as though by the wings of an eagle, having fled from the snares of the dragon into the wilderness, to be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days. These make forty-two months.

St Andrew says that for three and a half years, by God's permission, Antichrist will have power to blaspheme God and His saints. The dwelling of God is an image of the Incarnation, and also of God's abiding in the saints. Antichrist will utter blasphemy against them, as also against the Angels.

The dominion of the antichrist will last only three and a half years. For in the book of the prophet Daniel it is said: "He shall be given into his hand until a time, times, and half a time" (Dan 7:25; cf. Dan 12:7). And in the Apocalypse: "Authority was given him to act for forty-two months," and "they will trample the holy city for forty-two months" (Rev 11:2). In the same place, concerning the two witnesses whom God will send to oppose the antichrist, it is noted that "they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days" (Rev 11:3).

The seer of mysteries observes that one of the beast's heads seemed to have been wounded unto death. Yet this mortal wound was healed. This circumstance amazed the whole earth, which followed the beast, and it subjected frightened men both to the dragon who gave authority to the beast and to the beast himself.

All worshiped him, saying, "Who is like this beast, and who can make war with him?" All this may mean that the Antichrist will not receive his power without cost. At first there will likely be destructive wars, which he will have to wage for this power against hostile kings and authorities.

In these wars he will first have to suffer a certain defeat. Afterward his astonishing victories will follow, and his reign over the world.