Randy Nettles
In my last article, The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part II :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready, we examined who or what the seven heads and ten horns of the beast in Revelation 17 are. To recap: The seven “heads” (or mountains per Rev. 17:9) are seven world empires, six past and one future, that Satan will have used throughout history to enhance spiritual apostasy and persecute the children of Israel and the saints of God.
Most scholars believe the six heads from the past represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The yet-to-come seventh head is the kingdom of the ten kings (or horns) and Antichrist, as mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. When the Bible uses “horns” symbolically, they generally represent kings, as in Revelation 13 & 17, and Daniel 7:20, 24.
The seven-headed, ten-horned beast/s appears earlier in Revelation 12 & 13. However, the description of this end-time beast kingdom, and the true power that controls it, differs subtly within these chapters (and in Daniel 7). Let’s examine these subtle differences.
In Daniel 7:19-20, the “fourth beast” in Daniel’s vision has one head with ten horns. The fourth beast is Rome (preceded by Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece). The future “revived Roman Empire” is the “ten-horn” or “ten kings” kingdom that will arise in the last days from the territory of the ancient Roman Empire and beyond. The “one head” of Daniel 7:20 is the future seventh head of Revelation 12, 13, & 17. It has ten horns or kings.
Revelation 12:3 describes the great red dragon, Satan, as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns upon his (seven) heads. Notice that the beast rising out of the sea in Revelation 13:1 has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns on its (ten) horns. Revelation 12:3 describes Satan as having seven crowns on its seven heads, whereas Revelation 13:1 describes a beast with ten crowns on its ten horns.Of course, we know Satan is the true power behind the Antichrist. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast” (Rev. 13:4a).
Both creatures have seven heads (world empires) and ten horns (kings or kingdoms), but they differ in the number and placement of their crowns. I believe that Revelation 12:3 is describing Satan when he is still in heaven before he is kicked out of heaven shortly before the midpoint of the Tribulation.
Rev. 12:3 could be a picture of Satan’s authority over the earth before the Tribulation begins. The Tribulation begins when the Antichrist has enough authority to confirm or strengthen the covenant with “the many” (including Israel) for seven years, as Daniel 9:27 stipulates.
I believe Revelation 12:3 is described differently from Revelation 13:1 because the ten horns are not yet kings (they are not pictured as wearing crowns). Instead, the ten horns are ten regions/kingdoms under the United Nations’ control that will form their long-dreamed-of New World Order after the Rapture. I believe the Rapture will greatly speed up the formation of the ten-horn kingdom.
I wrote about this three years ago in The Second Horn :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready. In this scenario, the world will be divided into 10 regions, similar to the Club of Rome’s 1973 proposal (other maps exist as well). At first, each region will have its own government and currency but will likely follow United Nations directives, or possibly the E.U.’s leadership, as they are the first of the ten horns. Many scholars think Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:26-27 stipulates that the Antichrist (“the prince that shall come”) will be of Roman or European descent.
So, Satan’s seven heads (including the seventh head, the ten regions’ government) will wear seven crowns. Initially, the ten “horns” are kingdoms or regions (not kings), under the E.U. or U.N.’s authority. Basically, they share the seventh crown. This is why Rev. 12:3 describes Satan as having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads at this time.
After a major event or war (possibly the Gog-Magog war) that the U.N. cannot manage, the ten-region government will eventually form into a one-world government ruled by an oligarchy of ten kings. They will also implement a one-world currency. A one state-sanctioned religion will also be established (Mystery Babylon). The ecumenical Roman Catholic Church will help the ten kings acquire power and influence. They might even control the masses more than the ten kings.
These ten kings are the “ten horns” mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah, also notes that the revived Roman Empire (the seventh head) will have several stages, including a “one world government” and a “ten horn” kingdom. The last stage will be the Antichrist’s 3.5-year-long reign.
Regarding the covenant in Daniel 9:27, the “U.N./ten-regions” government or the “ten kings” government may make a covenant with “the many,” and the A.C. will later confirm or strengthen it for seven years. Because of these different stages of world government after the pre-tribulation Rapture, a significant gap of time (perhaps months or even years) could occur before the Tribulation begins, as the Antichrist will not appear right away.\
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