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NASB | Revelation 17:10 and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 17:10 and they are seven kings: five of whom have fallen, one exists and is reigning; the other [the seventh] has not yet come, and when he does come, he must remain a little while. |
Bible Question:
Hello Kalos, My question is that if you believe the kings in Rev. 17:10 are people, how do you come to that conclusion? And with that information I see no reason why six of the kings could not be identified. Where as Seiss brings forth many points to uphold his position that the kings are world powers and could not be persons. As he has identified the six in the verse, then the seventh should be the one world government of the end times. As Seiss (Seiss Apocalypse ) pointed out the six world powers (Rome in John's day, Greece, Persia, Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt ), have all carried the idolatrous Harlot Woman, and so will the seventh. This position of the kings being world powers also harmonizes Daniel's visions and John's visions. Understandable due to the fact that both have the same Source. Trying to fully understand all the verses of the Bible is trying to understand the Mind of Christ. As much as this pea-brain human can understand, and yes I want to know. Still searching the Mind of Christ, Brian |
Bible Answer: Hi Brian, I am the same as you in that I also wish to know and understand all that can be known and understood about the Bible. While I think that it is possible John was speaking in the same manner as Daniel in personifying kingdoms, the fact remains that while Daniel was using symbolic language that could be applied however the originator of the symbol (God) intended, and then explained these symbols using words of both individuals and corporate groups (kings and kingdoms), John used plain language identifying kings, without additional explanation that these kings were actually kingdoms. I would need to see the textual basis for interpreting "kings" as "kingdoms" before becoming dogmatic about it. The fact that someone can put together a list of empires that seems to fit the bill does not carry the same weight as Inspired Scripture, nor does another's inability to compile such a list of persons. If it's kingdoms, it kingdoms, no matter whether or not someone can, correctly or incorrectly, name 7 kingdoms, and by the same token, if its kings, its kings, regardless of someone's ability or inability to name them. Not to mention, each of those empires Seiss names had a ruler who displayed particular characteristics that could qualify them for this dubious honor. Nero, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Hamon (by virtue of the signet), Pharoah at the time of the exodus, Nimrod (I'm not as familiar with the Assyrian rulers, although given their extreme brutality, I'm certain it came from somewhere!) One that was not yet at John's time, that would continue for a short time may have been Hitler. These rulers displayed insane animosity towards the people of God, as well as extreme pride, again to the point of insanity. Personally, I think these 7, and the eighth, are specific rulers with a particular agenda against God's people. Love in Christ, Mark |