Revelation 17:10

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Revelation 17:10 is part of the angel's explanation to John concerning the vision of the great harlot sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. This specific verse focuses on the symbolism of the beast's seven heads, interpreted here as "seven kings."

Context

Chapter 17 describes the judgment of the "great whore" or "Babylon the Great," who sits on many waters, representing peoples and nations, and is supported by the scarlet beast (Revelation 17:1). The seven heads of the beast are given multiple interpretations by the angel: they are seven mountains (often seen as Rome) and also seven kings. This verse elaborates on the kings, placing them in a sequence relevant to the time of the vision or the events it depicts.

Key Themes

  • Symbolic Prophecy: The kings are not necessarily literal individuals but likely represent a sequence of powers, empires, or rulers hostile to God and His people throughout history or leading up to the end times.
  • Historical Succession: The statement "five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come" suggests a point in time within the prophetic sequence, indicating that God has a specific timeline and knowledge of these earthly powers. Various interpretations exist regarding which specific empires or rulers these represent, but the key is the sequence and the limited duration of each power.
  • Limited Power and Time: The final king is said to "continue a short space," emphasizing the temporary nature of all earthly opposition to God's ultimate plan. Even the most powerful earthly forces have their time limited by divine decree, a theme seen throughout prophetic books like Daniel.
  • God's Sovereignty: Despite the terrifying nature of the beast and the harlot, the detailed explanation of the kings underscores God's complete knowledge and control over the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms and their opposition to His will (See Daniel 2:21).

Reflection

This verse reminds us that while earthly powers may seem dominant and enduring, they operate within a framework set by God. The "seven kings" represent a succession of authority opposed to God, but their time is finite. The fact that five had fallen, one existed, and another was yet to come (for a short time) serves as a prophetic assurance that history is moving according to God's plan, not merely random events or the unchecked will of man. For believers facing persecution or feeling overwhelmed by worldly systems, this is a powerful reminder that the reign of Christ is eternal, and all earthly opposition will ultimately be brought to nothing (Read about Christ's ultimate victory in Revelation 19).

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.