An eighth king…the beast figures he can do it better
11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. (Revelation 17:9–ESV)
The beast that the world will marvel at in some manner becomes a world leader. We are not told how this develops or how it happens. It is an extension of the 7 early kings though. It will make sense when it is manifest, but it is only temporary. It may rise from the ashes like the Phoenix, but it will not soar forever. It will again crash and it will go to destruction. It will not rise again.
Beyond the heads are ten horns
12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:12-14–ESV)
There is a reference to the greatest of all wars here. It is part of verse 14. In that verse the Lamb is a conqueror and he has with him his own followers. Such an event is spoken of in other places in scripture, but here it is tucked alongside language of the beast and ten rulers.
There is another thing about the rise of this beast that needs to be raised. How do you think the beast is able to rise from the Abyss? It did not just come from there when it was ready. The Abyss is not like an evil equivalent of Batman’s Batcave, a place from which he comes and goes at will to do his evil biddings. The Abyss is a jail, more like a city jail where one is held before being transferred to a state or federal prison.
So the rising of this character from the Abyss is more like a jailer permitted release. God is the one who holds the keys and upon his decision this evil spirit will be released, and it will be a sight for the sore eyes of the wicked.
Here in verse 12 are ten other individuals. Note how they are described in verse 12. The angel said that they had “not yet received royal power,” the NIV says, “not yet received a kingdom.” Then the angel goes on to say that they are to receive such power and it is to be alongside of the beast, the 8th kingdom like unto the 7 priors.
These men of the earth are given power as kings. Verse 13 says they are of one mind and hand their authority and power over to the beast.
It seems clear to me that the neither the beast nor these 10 kings are in control of their destiny. They are in control, perhaps, of their allegiance, their way of looking at things, but they do not of their own accord do their thing on earth. God permits the beast character to rise from the Abyss. He permits ten men of world influence to become rulers. God lets them have their way for a time. It is as if God says, “Ok, you want this fight, you can have it. We will close out the world, and I will allow you to come in a sense of your own dominance.”
But what happens? The Lamb of God utterly destroys them. Armageddon happens and Jesus as King over kings and Lord over lords bests the kings and lords of the earth. From there these fallen kings will go to destruction.
Do we really need to know more than this? Is it constructive to try and assign world leaders to these roles? I think not. It is like grasping oil with the hand to use a phrase of Solomon. It is far better to look upon this prophecy and accept it as a token of Satan as a one with a short term. His minion may rise from the Abyss, but only when permitted. He will rise and the rulers of the earth will gather together to take their stand against the Lord and against his Holy One, but being vastly outmatched they will be unequivocally and eternally destroyed. They won’t get to rise again.
Jesus Christ is a God we can serve. It is our blessing to be allowed to serve him. To him we owe a great debt, a debt unpayable, but paid all the same, and by him. God allows Satan’s minions to rise and go to their deaths. He allows us to rise and join him. He made a way. We must lay down our own independence, but my how that act is rewarded.
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