Bible Question: The beast with seven heads and ten horns anyone know what it actually is in Revelations chapter 13 |
Bible Answer: A reference for that verse is Revelation 12:3 "... a great and fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems (crowns) on his heads." Revelation 17:9,10 "... The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen (at the time of John's writing), one is (Roman empire), and the other has not yet come... he must continue for a short time" These describe the seven beast empires that have today expired, but from which will come the 8th beast empire during the latter days. Revelation 17:12,13 "And the ten horns which you (John) saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast (antichrist) for one hour. These have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast". The 10 horns represent the eighth beast empire, which will consist of 10 kingdoms or "groupings". Daniel wrote "while I was contemplating the (ten) horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it, and behold this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts" (7:8). And he later explains "As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise, and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings" (7:23,24). The little horn of verse 8 is the same as "another" king of verses 23,24. So although the 8th beast empire will begin with 10 horns, three are taken over by the "little horn". That leaves "seven" leaders (represented by the crowns or diadems). |