What do the seven heads of the beast represent in Revelation 17:9?
The seven heads represent seven mountains—symbolized as kingdoms or nations—on which the woman sits, showing she has rule. The beast carrying her is linked to the Antichrist, Satan, and the revived Roman Empire, and verse 10 associates the heads with seven kings, five fallen, one present, one yet to come.
Les explains that the seven heads are identified in verse 9 as seven mountains, or kingdoms, or nations, on which the woman sits, meaning she has rule. He ties the beast that carries her to the Antichrist, to Satan, and to the Empire, describing a revived Roman Empire—a great political worldwide system headed by Antichrist—that subsidizes and supports the world church. In verse 10 he connects the heads to seven kings: five are fallen, one is, and one is not yet come; when he comes, he must continue a short space. Les also looks to the nations of Western Europe as the core of this system.
And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.