The notable abilities of the beast are blasphemy against God and deception of people. These activities also marked Antiochus Epiphanes, the prototype of Antichrist (Dan. 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 12:7).
13:5 God (cf. 6:4, 8; 7:2; 9:5; Dan. 4:17, 25, 32) will give authority to the beast to act as he will during the Great Tribulation, the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation.
13:6 He will blaspheme God by claiming to be God (2 Thess. 2:4). This is evidently what he will do throughout the Great Tribulation, not just at one point in it.427He will speak against God and God's dwelling place, His heavenly tabernacle (Dan. 7:25). The phrase "those who dwell in heaven"defines the tabernacle in terms of its inhabitants, namely, God and the holy angels. Apparently the beast will share the dragon's antagonism to God and the angels for having cast the dragon out of heaven (12:7-9, 12).
13:7 He will wage war against believers and overcome them (i.e., kill them, v. 15) and will become a worldwide dictator (Dan. 7:21, 23). No other ruler has ever been able to rule the entire world.
"Incidentally this shows that something more than the Neronic persecution is in mind, for that was not world-wide."428
"This verse furnishes a most important key to the proper understanding of events occurring during the tribulation period. Since authority is given to him [the beast] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nationsupon his ascent from the sea, any passage pertaining to rivalry of kings or conflict among kings in the time of the end' (such as Daniel 7:8, 24; 11:40-44) must refer to a time preceding this universal dictatorship and therefore to the first half of the tribulation."429
13:8 Unbelievers around the world will not only serve Antichrist but also worship him. The "book of life of the Lamb"contains the names of God's elect (cf. Eph. 1:4). These believers will not worship him (Matt. 24:24). The long and unusual description of unbelievers in this verse has the effect of assuring believers during this time that they are indeed secure.
