Revelation 17:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there are {G1526} seven {G2033} kings {G935}: five {G4002} are fallen {G4098}, and {G2532} one {G1520} is {G2076}, and the other {G243} is {G2064} not yet {G3768} come {G2064}; and {G2532} when {G3752} he cometh {G2064}, he {G846} must {G1163} continue {G3306} a short space {G3641}.

Complete Jewish Bible

five have fallen, one is living now and the other is yet to come; and when he does come, he must remain only a little while.

Berean Standard Bible

There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.

American Standard Version

and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:10, part of the angel's explanation to John regarding the vision of the great harlot and the scarlet beast, unveils the symbolic meaning of the beast's seven heads as "seven kings." This verse provides a chronological snapshot of these oppressive earthly powers, noting that five have already fallen, one is currently reigning, and another is yet to come, whose dominion will be notably brief. It underscores the transient nature of all human authority in contrast to God's eternal sovereignty, revealing that even the most formidable adversaries of God's people operate within divinely appointed limits and timelines.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17 is a pivotal chapter within the book's apocalyptic narrative, specifically detailing the judgment of "Babylon the Great," depicted as a harlot riding a scarlet beast. This vision serves as an interpretive key to understanding the forces opposing God's kingdom. The angel's dialogue with John, which begins in [Revelation 17:7](/revelation/17-7 "Revelation 17:7 - The Angel Explains the Mystery"), clarifies the complex symbolism. Verse 10 specifically deciphers one aspect of the beast's seven heads, which are simultaneously identified as "seven mountains" (often associated with Rome) and "seven kings." This dual interpretation highlights the multifaceted nature of the oppressive power, encompassing both geographical and political/temporal dimensions. The verse sets the stage for the subsequent description of the beast's final phase and its ultimate destruction, emphasizing that these earthly powers are not random but part of a divinely orchestrated sequence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Revelation was written during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Empire, perhaps during the reign of Emperor Domitian (late 1st century CE). The "seven kings" likely allude to a succession of Roman emperors or imperial powers that were hostile to God's people. The phrase "five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come" would have resonated with John's original audience, providing a contemporary anchor for the prophecy. While specific identifications of these kings remain debated among scholars, the underlying message would have been clear: the current oppressive power (the "one is") was part of a historical sequence, and its reign, like those before it, was finite. This context of imperial cult worship, where emperors demanded divine honors, makes the portrayal of the beast and the harlot as anti-God powers particularly potent and relevant to the suffering church.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 17:10 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **God's Sovereignty over History**. Despite the apparent might and longevity of earthly empires, this verse emphatically declares that their rise and fall are under divine control, not arbitrary human will. This echoes themes found in books like Daniel, where God is portrayed as the one who "[removes kings and sets up kings](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")". Another key theme is **The Transient Nature of Evil Powers**. The succession of kings, with their finite reigns, particularly the last one's "short space," highlights that no earthly opposition to God's kingdom is eternal. This provides immense comfort and hope to believers facing persecution, assuring them that their suffering is temporary and that their oppressors will ultimately face judgment. Finally, the verse reinforces the **Symbolic and Apocalyptic Nature of Prophecy**, where numbers and figures represent broader realities rather than strict literal individuals or events, inviting the audience to discern the spiritual truths beneath the imagery.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kings (Greek, _basileús'_):** This term refers to a sovereign ruler, a monarch, or one who holds supreme authority. In the context of Revelation 17, these "kings" are not merely individual monarchs but represent successive political powers or empires that embody opposition to God and His people. Their collective identity as "seven kings" underscores a complete, though temporary, sequence of anti-God authority.
* **fallen (Greek, _píptō'_):** This verb literally means "to fall" but is used here in a figurative sense to denote collapse, overthrow, or demise. It signifies that these five kings/kingdoms have been decisively defeated or have ceased to exist as dominant powers. This past tense indicates a completed action, emphasizing God's active hand in bringing down oppressive regimes.
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This impersonal verb signifies necessity or obligation, indicating that something "must" or "ought" to happen. Here, it conveys a divine imperative or a predetermined outcome. The fact that the final king "must continue a short space" implies not a suggestion, but a divinely ordained, inescapable limitation on his power and duration, highlighting God's ultimate control over the unfolding of prophetic events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there are seven kings:"** This introduces the primary interpretation of the beast's seven heads. These "kings" are symbolic, representing a complete series of world powers or rulers hostile to God's kingdom throughout history, or leading up to the end times. The number seven often signifies completeness or perfection in Revelation, suggesting a full cycle of these anti-God authorities.
* **"five are fallen,"** This clause indicates that, from the perspective of the vision's timeline (or John's contemporary context), a significant portion of these oppressive powers have already come and gone. Their "fall" signifies their defeat, demise, or the end of their dominant influence, underscoring the impermanence of earthly power.
* **"and one is,"** This crucial phrase anchors the prophecy to a specific point in time. It refers to the reigning power or empire at the moment the vision is being revealed or interpreted. For John's original audience, this would have likely pointed to the Roman Empire, the dominant persecuting power of their day. This demonstrates God's immediate knowledge of current events and powers.
* **"[and] the other is not yet come;"** This looks to the future, indicating that one more significant oppressive power is yet to emerge in the sequence. This highlights the progressive nature of God's prophetic plan, where events unfold according to His predetermined schedule.
* **"and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."** This final clause provides a critical detail about the last of the seven kings. His reign, though significant enough to be mentioned, is explicitly limited in duration ("a short space"). The word "must" (Greek: _deî_) emphasizes divine necessity, meaning this brevity is not accidental but divinely ordained. This serves as a powerful assurance that even the final, most formidable earthly opposition will be temporary and ultimately subject to God's sovereign control.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:10 is rich in **Symbolism**, a hallmark of apocalyptic literature. The "seven kings" are not literal individuals but represent successive empires or political powers, embodying the forces opposed to God throughout history. The number seven itself is highly symbolic, often denoting completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, suggesting a full, divinely ordained sequence of these powers. The phrase "five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come" employs **Prophetic Foreshortening** and **Chronological Sequencing** to provide a divine perspective on history, anchoring the vision to a specific point in time while revealing past and future events. The description of the final king's reign as "a short space" utilizes **Contrast**, highlighting the finite nature of earthly power against the backdrop of God's eternal dominion. This verse, like much of Revelation, functions as **Apocalyptic Literature**, using vivid, often enigmatic imagery to convey spiritual truths about cosmic conflict, divine judgment, and ultimate victory, offering hope and warning to its audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:10 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the rise and fall of nations. It assures believers that even the most formidable and persecuting earthly powers are not beyond God's control; their existence, duration, and eventual demise are all within His divine plan. This truth provides immense comfort and calls for steadfast faith amidst tribulation, reminding us that no earthly kingdom, no matter how powerful or oppressive, can ultimately thwart God's purposes or stand against His eternal reign. The temporary nature of these "kings" contrasts sharply with the eternal kingdom of God, offering a powerful message of hope and perseverance.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Humbles")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:10 offers a profound perspective for believers navigating a world often dominated by seemingly invincible powers and systems. It reminds us that every earthly authority, no matter how grand or oppressive, operates on a divine leash. The "five fallen" kings testify to God's past judgments, the "one is" affirms His present awareness, and the "one not yet come" with a "short space" assures us of His future control and the ultimate brevity of evil's reign. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of peace and patience, knowing that history is not spiraling out of control but is meticulously unfolding according to God's sovereign will. It calls us to resist despair and to place our ultimate trust not in the stability of nations or the strength of human leaders, but in the unchanging, eternal King. Our hope is not in the rise or fall of earthly empires, but in the unshakable kingdom of God that is coming and is already present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the knowledge of God's sovereignty over earthly powers (past, present, and future) impact your perspective on current global events?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to place your hope or fear in earthly systems, rather than in God's ultimate control?**
* **How does the promise that the final oppressive power will "continue a short space" encourage you in times of personal or collective tribulation?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live with greater confidence in God's plan, even when earthly circumstances seem overwhelming?**

### FAQ

**What do the "seven kings" in Revelation 17:10 represent?**

Answer: The "seven kings" are widely understood as symbolic representations of successive world powers or empires that have historically opposed God and persecuted His people. While specific identifications vary among commentators (some point to Roman emperors, others to broader historical empires), the primary theological point is that these represent a complete, though finite, series of anti-God authorities. The angel's explanation in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Judgment of Babylon") clarifies that these heads also symbolize "seven mountains," which many interpret as a reference to Rome, known for its seven hills, thus connecting the political power to a specific geographical and historical context. The sequence "five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come" indicates a specific point in time within this prophetic succession, highlighting God's precise knowledge and control over the flow of history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 17:10, with its depiction of a succession of temporary earthly kings, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the eternal and supreme kingship of Jesus Christ. While the "seven kings" represent the transient nature of human power, often hostile to God, Christ is revealed as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). All earthly dominions, whether fallen, current, or yet to come, are ultimately subject to His divine authority. The "short space" of the final king's reign stands in stark contrast to Christ's unending kingdom, which "shall have no end" ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Never End")). Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has already triumphed over all principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), demonstrating that the true power lies not in human might but in divine redemption. This verse, therefore, serves to magnify Christ's ultimate victory and the certainty of His coming reign, when all earthly opposition will be definitively crushed and "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.