Blasphemy - Rumor notes 105

 Revelation 13

5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. 6 He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.

A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him

They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:4)

This blasphemy is part of what comes with the authority from the dragon. The dragon is a potty mouth, and the very name Satan means accuser, which is what he does incessantly. His derogatory accusations are blasphemy, for blasphemy means deliberately misrepresenting and attacking God's reputation. It involves intentionally lying about God, seeking to deface His reflection in creation, ruining His reputation and slandering His character.

The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch men with fire. People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory. The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. They didn't repent of their works. (Revelation 16:8-11)

Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. People blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe. (Revelation 16:21)

Whenever people insist that God must resort to using methods of the dragon to accomplish His will, defeat His enemies or protect His allies, they are aligning with the slander of Satan saying that God has selfish motives just like those in rebellion to His law of love. Doing so puts us in participation with this blasphemy inspired by the spirit of the beast.

Notice who it is screaming that the God of heaven is behind the scorching heat of the son, the cause of dreadful pains and sores and the instigator of the severe plague of hail. It is the people identified as blaspheming, those refusing to repent and give God glory who rehearse this mantra. Instead of believing the truth of God's consistent goodness, they continually blame Him for all the bad things happening to them. This was the problem of the Israelites in the desert. Sadly for too long we have joined them in similar accusations. It is time to reconsider what we accuse God of doing and being.

Additionally, indulging in lust and falling into temptation by those claiming to reflect God can encourage blasphemy in others.

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan said to David, "Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Whereas you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you. This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you; the daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you. Whom have you defied and blasphemed? and against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said, With the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars of it, and the choice fir trees of it; and I will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field. I have dug and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt.

Haven't you heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? now have I brought it to pass, that it should be yours to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as grain blasted before it is grown up. But I know your sitting down, and your going out, and your coming in, and your raging against me. Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance is come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came. (2 Kings 19:20-28)

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, "I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!" Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

By the way, how does he exalt his throne? This is a central part of blasphemy, and the following verse exposes the nature of his means of subverting honor and allegiance away from God.

Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, which brings about mischief by statute? (Psalms 94:20)

Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt, and had committed awful blasphemies; yet you in your manifold mercies didn't forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud didn't depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go. (Nehemiah 9:18-19)

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their back, and killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies. (Nehemiah 9:26)

How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever? (Psalms 74:10)

Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name. (Psalms 74:18)

Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake yourself from the dust; arise, sit on your throne, Jerusalem: loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion. For thus says Yahweh, You were sold for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money.

For thus says the Lord Yahweh, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what do I here, says Yahweh, seeing that my people is taken away for nothing? those who rule over them do howl, says Yahweh, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who does speak; behold, it is I. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!

The voice of your watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh returns to Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:1-10)

Notice particularly this method presented here for addressing the problem involving blasphemy. It is also how the salvation of God's reputation is accomplished. The solution to resolving all of these problems brought about by sin, distrust and separation from God, is the opposite of what causes sin and blasphemy in the first place. It is engaging the New Song, focusing on the only true source of strength which is soaking in and sharing the true gospel of God's goodness. This alone is the effective antidote to defeat all evil and to bring us into our true identity as overcomers.

Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments

Shake yourself from the dust; arise, sit on your throne

loose yourself from the bonds of your neck

know my name...know in that day that I am he who does speak; behold, it is I

beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns

lift up the voice, together do they sing

see eye to eye

Break forth into joy, sing together

This is how God's salvation is accomplished, when His reflectors on earth embrace the New Song which is revealing the real truth about God's heart so that evil loses all of its seductive, deceptive power over our hearts and minds. This is how the Lamb leads His followers to victory, when they overcome the same way Jesus overcame, by reflecting perfectly the agape love of God's heart continually in praise, gratitude, forgiveness, humility, kindness and love received into the heart and reflected to others without resistance at all times and in all circumstances.

But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. (Matthew 15:18-19)

Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. (Mark 3:28-29)

What is the reason for this condition of losing access to forgiveness? An eternal sin could be caused by perpetual resistance, meaning a person refuses to quit doing it, refuses to repent, to change their opinion, their thinking, their decided entrenched beliefs about God, thus resisting forgiveness.

To summarize what we have looked at in relation to the meaning of blasphemy, here is a list.

Accusing God of being the source of plagues, torment and deliberate harm.

Claiming that God's character is reflected in the sins and exploitation done by His followers.

Defying God by asserting that ability to overwhelm God's chosen people proves that He is too weak to defend them, when it was actually God's power withdrawn that allowed it to happen.

Exalting one's self in importance in attempts to displace God's place of honor and esteem in the hearts of created beings.

Giving credit to other gods for the wonderful works of salvation provided by God.

Turning one's back on God's principles and laws and attacking the messengers sent by Him.

Foolish people mocking God's reputation and character.

Oppressing God's people without cause is continually blaspheming God's reputation.

Blasphemy, along with all other evil, originates in the heart and finds outward expression.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is impossible to forgive, not because God retains a spirit of offense, but because forgiveness can only be experienced by cooperation with the Spirit.

Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. (Daniel 7:25)

Most of these concepts have been reviewed extensively in previous studies. The nature of authority, both as exercised in God's original design as well as the counterfeit version we are accustomed to in hierarchy, have been discussed many times here. Likewise the concept of making war has been examined repeatedly and will continue to surface, both in this chapter and throughout the book. This war is an extension of the initial war carried out in heaven with Michael originally and now being repeated on earth, even after the invasion of heaven by the incarnation of God's Son to recapture lost territory. Also the 42 months is one of the various labels given to the same length of prophetic time that we have seen surfacing recently, and the phrase given to him has been reviewed recently in this same chapter and even the first part of this verse in our last study. Because of this I would like to move forward to other themes and insights maybe not so thoroughly examined as we move through the center of this book into even more turbulent metaphoric waters.

A pattern that may be noted here is that verses 5 through 10 could be seen as amplifying and expanding verses 1 through 4. This also coincides with a similar prophecy found in Daniel 7 where these same events are given in even more detail involving the little horn who greatly exalts itself by relying on dragon-like powers and with similar disposition.

He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God

This statement is a preamble for the following list of three specific items that parallels a similar list of three seen near the end of this chapter. This is no coincidence as they may well relate to the same thing. This list is God's name, His dwelling and those who dwell with Him. At the end of this chapter where we examine the meaning of the mark of the beast, what becomes more clear is that it is not merely a single mark that is dangerous to have but rather three different and distinct identifiers.

He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16-17)

How might these two lists align with each other?

If we put them side by side and observe what aligns, it could look like this.

God's name vs. the name of the beast

God's dwelling vs. the mark of the beast.

Those who dwell in heaven (144,000?) vs. the number (666) of the name of the beast.

First let's look at what the symbols may mean. God's name references His true character. This is in contrast to the opposite character of the beast reflecting the character of the dragon Satan, the devil, the archenemy of God. So the first pair could be summarized as relating to character or nature.

Next let's go to the end of the list and then come back to the second. Those who dwell in heaven refers to all who have chosen to embrace their true identity in Christ and consent for Christ to dwell in them. In doing so their ID from heaven's perspective is that they already dwell in heaven, for heaven is wherever the presence of God's Spirit is allowed to have full access. How could this correspond to the number of the beast? What if this number is like an address describing where one dwells? Those who embrace the ways, motives and methods of the Lamb exclusively, refusing to be sucked into the motives and methods of the dragon and his surrogates, have their address as located in heaven, not among all those who dwell on the earth. This theme runs throughout this book and is determined by who people have chosen to follow. Some have chosen to dwell in heaven, and the rest are those who choose to dwell on the earth. In the end these will be the only two classes of people left.

Now let's look at the second one, God's dwelling vs. the mark of the name of the beast. God's dwelling place is the hearts of all who are willing to be occupied by His Spirit alone. These are those who surrender to be transformed back into the true image of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. As a result their condition becomes conformed to their true identity as God's children. They learn to act like themselves because the same Spirit that actuated everything Jesus did while on earth actuates them. Thus the seal of God which is His Spirit, seals them as mentioned in chapter 7, and the glory of God's character reflected through them becomes permanent. This is in stark contrast to the mark which is evidence exhibited in the lives in all who embrace the identity of the dragon, his character of selfishness, rebellion and resistance to truth, mercy and the consistent kindness of God.

Before going into a deeper study of the mark of the beast, we can see that the important thing about it is the nature of its disposition, more so than merely outward symptoms resulting from this disposition. The mark is simply evidence of what the character inside is like. So choosing to follow the Lamb wherever He leads will reflect the disposition of the Lamb, while those rejecting that version of God receive the mark that identifies them as having the same view of God as Satan asserts Him to be like. Thus in all who allow God's Spirit to dwell in them, the reflection of their life will be the glory of His character in sharp contrast with the mark of ugliness that results from the defacing of God's image in all who refuse a love of the truth so that they might be saved.

...those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

to blaspheme his name

What is God's name? Is it the string of sounds or syllables we use to identify who we imagine is in charge up in heaven? Many believe this is the most important thing to get right or He will be offended. Yet insisting that God will be offended if we say His name wrong, or we use the wrong language to address Him can be a distracting tactic of the enemy to keep us in constant fear of offending God. This is not the message brought to us by Jesus Christ the Son of God who brings the light of truth into the world resulting in judgment. It is the spirit of the accuser, and we must be weaned away from parroting his fears and superstitions in traditions that have manipulated our thinking and religion far too long. This view of God actually leads into danger of blasphemy, for those who follow the Lamb let go of all lies that darken their reflection of God's true character of pure agape love.

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. (Revelation 3:12)

His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called "The Word of God." (Revelation 19:12-13)

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)

Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask what my name is?" He blessed him there. (Genesis 32:29)

I want to interject that there are times when we miss huge opportunities to receive greater blessings from God because we fail to answer questions God brings to us. When we lose such opportunities, God respects our choice, yet He is likely saddened when we settle for something far less than what His magnanimous heart longs for us to experience if we would only respond to His questions.

Moses said to God, "Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you;' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' What should I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM," and he said, "You shall tell the children of Israel this: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:13-14)

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight: and consider that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." He said to him, "If your presence doesn't go with me, don't carry us up from here. For how would people know that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Isn't it in that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?"

Yahweh said to Moses, "I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." He said, "Please show me your glory." He said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." (Exodus 33:13-19)

Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Yahweh. Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, "Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation." Moses hurried and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. (Exodus 34:5-8)

This whole chapter is filled with references to blasphemy related to this beast. It is the very nature of this beast. Here is Strong's definition of the word blasphemy: vilification (especially against God):--blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

Here are a few more examples of what is involved in blasphemy.

yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. (2 Peter 2:11-12 NIV)

But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam's error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah's rebellion. (Jude 1:9-11 NRSV)

Blasphemy is denying or contradicting the truth about God, how God describes Himself and especially how His Son reveals Him specifically. Blasphemy is what Lucifer initiated in heaven where he first defamed God's reputation. One of our greatest temptations is to react in the same spirit as those who blaspheme, for this is not merely what is being said but also the spirit of the one communicating. It involves the motives which in turn reflect what we imagine God's disposition is towards us.

We are looking specifically at slandering God's name, His reputation. This means anything that misrepresents the truth about His character is to some extent under the category of blasphemy. But true blasphemy is intentional, motivated by the spirit of the original accuser, so we must guard against the contamination of the spirit rather than merely avoiding anything that slanders God's reputation. One can say good things about God while misrepresenting Him in a spirit foreign to the gentleness and kindness that defines the truth about God as revealed by Jesus.

his dwelling

The following passages make it clear that God's dwelling involves His people, not a location.

I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 21:3)

Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. (Revelation 7:15)

After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. (Revelation 15:5)

Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)

For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)

For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power; (Colossians 2:9-10)

Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. (Hebrews 3:6)

those who dwell in heaven

Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time." (Revelation 12:12)

"Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her." (Revelation 18:20)

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God: (Revelation 19:1)

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation; neither will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'Look, there!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)

Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)