Revelation 13:5-6; Blasphemies Against God (2)

Revelation 13:5-6 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 

“Blasphemies against God” are an elaboration of the “names of blasphemy” on the heads of the beast (v1). They in turn receive further elaboration “to blaspheme His Name and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven”. Blaspheming the name of God is to demean it directly or appropriate it for oneself. Blaspheming “the tabernacle” of God is a derogatory speech about His heavenly dwelling place. [Backwith, Apocalypse, 0. 637; Charles, Revelation, 1:352; Robertson, Word Pictures, 6:401; Caird, Revelation, p166]

Them that dwell in heaven refers to members of the angelic army who join their leader Michael in expelling the dragon from heaven (Revelation 12:7-9, 12).

Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, yeheavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 

The dragon in turn passed on his frustration and anger to the beast. So the beast’s blasphemous words direct themselves toward heaven where God and the holy angels reside.

[Robert. L Thomas, Moody Press, 1995, 162-163]