What does the sequence of kings in Revelation 17:10 mean?
Revelation 17:10's sequence means seven kings correspond to the seven heads: three lost their identity, one is present, and one is yet to come for a short space. The beast then emerges as an eighth, identified as the revived Roman Empire under Antichrist.
Les explains that Revelation 17:10's seven kings are linked to the seven heads, which are seven mountains or nations with seven prime ministers or kings. The woman sitting on them is the religious system taught earlier in the chapter. Starting from ten, three kings were usurped or lost their identity by seven. One king is present, and another is not yet come; when he comes he continues only a short space. Les suggests this future figure will be another world leader or European leader entering in that interval. Then the beast that was—the seemingly dead old Roman Empire—comes back on the scene, headed by Antichrist, who is the eighth. Les also notes that numbers have scriptural value: three speaks of the Godhead, five of grace, six of man, seven of deity, and eight follows the completion of seven. These numbers fit with Daniel.
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
More Questions
Who is the king who must continue a short space in Revelation 17:10?
Les interprets the phrase 'when he cometh, he must continue a short space' as referring to a future world leader (probably European) who will come in the interval between the present king and the final beast.
What is the interpretation of the seven kings in Revelation 17:10?
Among the seven kings of Revelation 17:10, five have already fallen, one is currently evident, and the other has not yet come—there is one still to come on the scene.
How do the seven kings in Revelation 17:10 break down?
Les explains the seven kings in Revelation 17:10 as follows: five are fallen, one is currently present or evident, and one is not yet come but is still to appear on the scene.