The [seventh king] has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled. (Revelation 17:10-14, 16-17, NIV 1984).
My Musings – The eighth king (“the beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king”) does not appear to be merely one of the seven restored, but a new power or person that proceeds from the seven. This king is a consummation of all the God-opposed features of the previous seven kings concentrated into one. The eighth does not fall like the seven but is destroyed personally by the Lord and is cast into hell forever.
Some view the seventh empire as a future Christian nation because it bears the Woman upon its back. This kingdom “must remain for a little while.” Afterwards, the beast (“who once was“) reappears as the eighth king in its true and undisguised nature as the sum (“he belongs to the seven“) of all the previous seven. Perhaps this is a way of distinguishing between the anti-Christ and his kingdom before the middle of the tribulation (and the fatal wound) and afterwards. Perhaps also this could be reference as to how the seventh could be a Christian nation before (or at least perceived as such) but becomes apostate in the eighth after the anti-Christ breaks his covenant.
Ten more kings “will receive authority as kings along with the [eighth].” The number ten is the number of the completed course of the world. Therefore, with the ten kings the last phase of political world-history plays out. The phrase “authority as kings,” implies that they reserve their sovereign rights in their alliance with the beast, but “they give their power and authority to” him. They have the title of kings (presidents, prime ministers, emperors), but not with undivided kingly power. They parallel the ten toes of Daniel’s image in Daniel 2:36–45, a future world confederation.
In John’s day, these kings had not yet received their power. It is reserved for the last days when this future empire comes to power. While it appears to the world that these rulers are dominant, they have received authority from the Lord only for a brief time (“one hour”). One hour means a definite time of short duration. It is likely the time that the devil is cast down to the earth, in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short. This is perhaps a reference to the last three and a half years of the tribulation. Note that these ten kings willingly give support to the anti-Christ in his battle against Christ and the saints.
“They will make war against the Lamb.” This war, actually a battle takes place immediately preceding Christ’s the second coming. The army following the Lamb are believers, since the terms “called, chosen and faithful” are not used for angels. The anti-Christ (who once carried the woman) and the ten kings will come to hate the prostitute (the apostate “church”). They will make war on her also and bring her to ruin. The exact time of this event is not given in this passage. It does not seem to be chronological, and likely occurs at the midpoint of the seven years when the beast will assume the role of world dictator by proclamation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).
When the anti-Christ takes on worldwide political power, he will also assume the place of God and demand that everyone worship him or else be killed (Daniel 11:36–38; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:8, 15). The apostate “church” present during the first half of the seven years is thus brought to an abrupt end. It will be replaced by the final form of world religion which will be the worship of the world ruler, Satan’s substitute for Christ.
My Advice – Satan may realize “for a little while,” his stated goal to be “like the Most High.” But he will never “be” the Most High for even moment. Still people will worship him as if he was. Some already do. That path is a dead end. An eternal death dead end. Just like all other paths that don’t lead solely to Jesus. Don’t be fooled. Satan will not prevail. His fate was never in doubt, but was sealed forever when Jesu exclaimed “it is finished.”
So, what now? Jesus says, “come follow me.” It’s the right path to follow.
Resources:
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 592). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 315-316). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 846). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1909). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 972). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 