Lesson Three

Chapter 17:12-14

The Meaning of Ten Horns

a) The Beast: Revelation 17:9-18 describes further the beast and his followers from chapter 13-16. In revelation 17, it describes three aspects of the beast. The first aspect of the beast in Revelation 17 is to be the Antichrist (17:8). The second aspect of the beast is described as the final kingdom of complete evil (17:9-11). Now this verse speaks of the third aspect of the beast associated with “the ten horns.”

b) Verse 12

- “The ten horns you saw are ten kings” This builds on the ten horns of Dan. 7:7-8, 20-25, among which the little horn appeared. In Daniel, these are the kings who arise form the final kingdom and prepare for the little horn to take power. Since Rome divided its empire into ten provinces, it is common to suppose that these are the governors of the ten provinces. They draw their authority from a higher power and yield it to the beast. They follow him into war.

- “not yet received the kingdom…”

o The events here are being held back by God until the appointed time. Revelation 7:1 shows the four angels at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of destruction.

o These ten kings “have not yet received their kingdom” connects them to the “kings of the east” in Rev 16:12.

o When these winds are loosed, it is obvious that God’s judgment will have arrived. It is then the Euphrates will dry up according to Rev 16:12-13, allowing the “kings of the east” to come and bolster the forces of the beast to join the kings with the beast in preparation for war.

o This is where the false trinity sends out their unclean “spirits like frogs” to call the “kings of the the whole world” (not the same as the kings from the east” but rather the rulers of the nations) to “gather together for battle” at Armageddon (16:14).

- “one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast”

o This speaks how these kings will be given power and authority by the beast as the beast was given this by the dragon (13:2). But keep in mind according to 13:2 the actual source of that authority is God, not the dragon or the beast.

o The “one hour” (17:12) speaks about a short period of power of persecution of the saints and the final battle—also call the “great tribulation” period (7:14). This is where they will reign for three-and-a-half year period of the beast (13:5-8).

o The dragon and the beast go to war against the saints (cf Rev 12:17; 13:7; Dan 7:21). These texts refer to the terrible period of persecution that typifies the final period of history.

c) Verse 13: “The have one purpose… give their power and authority to the beast”

o These the kings are united with one mind… one single purpose… they are in one accord like in the building of the tower of babel in Genesis, but this time yielding their authority to the beast. They follow him whole heartedly, giving him their absolute support, agreeing with everything he does.

o The receive “authority” but now return that authority along with their power to the Antichrist, forming a united from.

o There is a unity of four groups: the Antichrist, the earth-dwellers who worship him, the ten kings who give their total support, and the rest of the kings of the earth who join their coalition (16:14, 16).

d) Verse 14

- “They will wage war against the Lamb” The “single purpose” behind their actions is not revealed: to make war against the Lamb. There verb is future tense, stressing certainty of the events. Here are the kings who are aligned with the dragon and the beast to go to war against the Lamb. This refers to the final battle (16:14, 16; cf. 19:19).

- “but the Lamb will triumph over them… Lord of lords and Kings of kings”

o The emphasis on the “Lamb” here builds on the fact that they Lamb has “seven horns” in 5:6, transforming him into conquering ram—“the wrath of the Lamb” (6:16). While the kings “make war,” the victory of the Lamb is instantaneous (19:19-21).

o The reason for this victory is because the Lamb is Lord of Lords and kings of kings. The Roman emperor was called the “king of kings” because he presided over the vassal kings of the empire. But his absolute reign was pretence in light of the absolute sovereignty of the Lamb—the true “Lord of Lords.” This is a title normally for God in the OT (Deut 10:17; Dan 2:37, 37; 4:37) and in NT (1 Tim 6:15). This is showing how the Lamb as one with God. This is in stark contrast to the kings of Babylon, Rome and to Babylon the Great.

- “and with him will be called chosen and faithful followers” The description of these are who God owns. Who God owns he preserves. We are God’s possession and he seals his chosen people. The proof of God’s chosen people is in there faithful witness in the midst of trials (2:17; 17:14; cf 13:10b 14:12; 16:15). Participation in the heavenly army demonstrates faithfulness to the “commands of God and the testimony of Jesus” (12:17; 14:12).