Revelation 13:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The dwelling of God means the Incarnation of God the Word, His abiding in the flesh, and His rest in the saints. Against them, as against the angels, the beast will direct his blasphemy.

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 at his feet, "there was given to him a mouth speaking proud and blasphemous things." Given by whom? By the men who had been deceived and had worshiped him. For boasting comes from arrogance.

What is worse than this? What is worse than the words, "I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" (Is 14:13)? And a little below: "I will be like the Most High" (Is 14:14). Isaiah mocks him, since these words are blasphemy against God.

"And authority was given to him to act for forty-two months." We have already accepted that forty-two months signify a short time. For every span of time is short when compared with the endless ages, even if it seems very great.

These months make three years and six months. Above, they signified the character of the present age. Here they foretell the severity of the final persecution.

If you multiply the four known regions of the world by the ten commandments of the law, which signify perfection, you obtain forty. If you add to this the fulfillment of the twofold commandment of love, the result must be forty-two.

For spoken words, if not confirmed by deeds, are of no help at all. It is also said of the Church that for a time she was protected as if by eagle's wings. She fled from the dragon's snares into the wilderness, to be nourished for twelve hundred sixty days.

These days make forty-two months. Therefore the same calculated number need not be without a new meaning.

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.

He will be marked by blasphemy and by every kind of violence against those who do not submit to him, that is, against the saints. "He will open his mouth for blasphemy against God," saying, for example, that He is not the one true God.

He will blaspheme the name of God, that is, His nature and attributes. He will say, for example, that He is not almighty, not holy, and the like. He will open blasphemous lips against His dwelling, that is, against the holy Church of the Lord.

In Scripture, the Church is also called the dwelling or temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17). He will even spew blasphemy against those who dwell in heaven, that is, against those who have departed in piety and faith in Christ.