What do the ten kings of Revelation 17 represent?

Author: BibleAsk Team


Revelation 17:12-16

About the Ten Kings, John wrote, “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”

The Ten Kings

The ten kings symbolize the nations of the world. The ten toes of the image of Daniel chapter 2 and the ten horns of the monster beast of Daniel chapter 7 symbolized the ten kingdoms of Europe. However, the meaning is broadened in Revelation chapters 11 through 18 to mean all “the kings of the earth” or “all nations.” John also adds, “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14 also 18:3).

Religio-Political Unity

The “kings” are the political powers of earth which call the nations of earth to unite in a crusade against God. The nations of earth, represented by the ten horns, here purpose to unite with the “beast” (Revelation 17: 3) in forcing the inhabitants of earth to drink the “wine” of Babylon (verse 2), that is, to unite the world under her control and to obliterate all who refuse to cooperate (verse 14 and Revelation 16:12–16). Thus, it will be a universal religio-political unity (Revelation 17:3). And it will include the nations of both East and West (Revelation 17:12).

For a study on who is the beast, check the following link: Who is the Beast of Revelation 13?

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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