Big Mouth

The beast’s big mouth is a big deal. We see it emphasized in the characterization of the little horn (Daniel 7:8, 11, 20), in particular, what comes out of its mouth: “pompous words against the Most High” (v. 25).

Scripture defines blasphemy in two ways. One, blasphemy is claiming to be God (John 10:33). Two, blasphemy is claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21). The Catholic Church commits both. Catholicism puts mere mortals in the place of God. For instance, human priests forgive others’ sins. Pope Leo XIII even declared, “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”

As for God’s “tabernacle,” His temple, the term has different meanings in the Bible. Here are a few: the literal tabernacle in heaven and its copy on earth, the Jewish sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24); Christ’s physical human body (John 2:19, 21); the Christian church, Christ’s body of believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Catholic Church has blasphemed all three.

The sanctuary services were actually a blueprint of God’s plan of salvation (Psalm 77:13; Hebrews 9:8). The Catholic Church has changed the Bible’s teaching of salvation “by grace … through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) in Christ for a system of works. Take its penances and indulgences, wherein people can earn their ticket into God’s kingdom.

Then there’s the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, which posits that during the ordinance of communion, a priest can actually transport Christ into the eucharist in order to be sacrificed again. The Scriptures, on the other hand, state that Christ was sacrificed “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27).

The Catholic Church has also perpetuated a throng of idol worship, elevating men and women to so-called sainthood, that their graven images may be prayed to for intercession. The most famous of these is the Virgin Mary. The Bible, in contrast, plainly states that “there is … one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

This is not an attack on individuals; this is a warning about a system of belief that contradicts the Word of God.

Merciful Savior, forgive me for my own blasphemy, when I elevate myself as god of my life instead of elevating You.

For Further Study: Leviticus 20:1–3; Matthew 12:34; Romans 1:25

Key Bible Texts

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:6 KJV)