Thinking Thursday

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 

This beast will be anti-God and he will say all kinds of rotten things about God.  But God, will only allow this for a period of time:  42 months=3 1/2 years=1,260 days.  Then it is times up for the beast.

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

Nothing will be off limits to the beast's blasphemies:  God as a person, His name, Heaven and all those associated/belonging to God.

7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,

It will be a trying time for the saints, as the beast will have his temporary authority over everyone.  But God will see His people through. 

8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. [Rev 13:5-8 ESV]

Saints will be in the minority because everyone else is going to think the beast is worthy of worship.  But he isn't.  Only the triune God is.  That's my position and I'm sticking to it no matter what.  I hope you do too!