Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 13:5

"and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months." — Revelation 13:5 (ASV)

And there was given to 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 respect, 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 language here used is the same as that which is found in Daniel (Daniel 7:8) when speaking of the little horn: In this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. For an illustration of the meaning of this, see Barnes on Daniel 7:8.

Compare to Barnes on Daniel 7:25.

And blasphemies. That is, the whole power represented by the "beast" will be blasphemous. See Barnes on Revelation 13:1.

Compare to Barnes on Daniel 7:25.

And power was given to him to continue forty and two months. Three years and a half, reckoned as months; or twelve hundred and sixty days, reckoning thirty days for a month; or twelve hundred and sixty years, regarding the days as prophetic days. For the evidence that this is to be so regarded, see Barnes on Daniel 7:25.

This is the same period that we encounter in Revelation 11:2 and in Revelation 12:6. See Barnes on Revelation 11:2 and Revelation 12:6.

This fact proves that the same power is referred to in these places and in Daniel; and this fact may be regarded as a confirmation of the views taken here that the power here referred to is designed to have a connection in some form with the Papacy. The duration of the existence of this power is the same as that which is everywhere ascribed to the Papacy in the passages that refer to it; and all the circumstances, as remarked before, show that the same general power is referred to by the two "beasts" which are described in this chapter.

If so, the continuance or duration may be supposed to be the same; and this is indicated in the passage before us, where it is said that it would be twelve hundred and sixty years. In regard to the application of this to the Papal power, and the manner in which the calculation is to be made of the duration of that power, see Barnes on Daniel 7:25 and the remarks at the end of that chapter.

The meaning in the passage before us I take to be, that the Papal power, considered as a civil or secular institution, will have, from the time when that properly commenced, a duration of twelve hundred and sixty years. In the Scriptures there is nothing more definite regarding any future event than this.

• Keywords: "power," "make war."
• "Forty and two months": (Revelation 12:6).