^13:5And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

This verse begins the fourfold purpose of the "sea" beast. It is to

1. Defy the God of heaven (verse 5).
2. Destroy the saints of God (verse 7).
3. Dominate the nations of the earth (verse 7).
4. Delude the masses of mankind (verse 8).

And there was GIVEN to him a MOUTH speaking ARROGANT WORDS and BLASPHEMIES;

It is not enough that the "sea beast" (Antichrist) exists, but now it is given a mouth. Remember that the devil has been kicked out of heaven (Revelation 12:9), and therefore has no more access to God. So the most that he can do is SPEAK OUT on earth. He will be a slick orator, and people will hang on every arrogant and blasphemous word.

Check out the influence that his word will have (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

and AUTHORITY to act for forty-two months WAS GIVEN to him.

God permits this kind of talk to go on for 42 months (Revelation 11:2). The time period is the same as 3 1/2 years (Revelation 12:14) or 1260 days (Revelation 12:6).

Watchman Nee points out in his book "Come, Lord Jesus" that 42 is 7 times 6. Seven is the perfect number (creation completed, etc.), while six is the Satanic number (verse 18). Hence 42 as a conflict between these two numbers results in wandering (during the Exodus, Israel passed 42 stations as written in Numbers) and judgment (42 lads killed (2 Kings 2:23-25)). This 42 month period during the tribulation is no different.....people deceived (wandering, verse 14), and if not deceived, killed (judgment, verse 15).