All the people of the world were amazed and followed the beast. They worshiped the serpent because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight a war with it?” The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and insulting things. It was given authority to act for 42 [ 3 and 1/2 years] months.

     It opened its mouth to insult God, to insult his name and his tent [those who are living in heaven]. It was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Everyone living on earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life. That book belongs to the lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world.