The ten horns that you saw are ten kings. These have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. Rev. 17:12, 13.
Previously we have encountered the seven kings. Now John mentions 10 kings! What is going on here? The 10 kingdoms are end-time characters without a pedigree. Receiving their dominion along with the beast in the final period of earth's history, they exist in the time of the "eight king" (Rev. 17:11).
If the beast represents the combined political and economic powers of the world, the 10 horns symbolize a significant subgroup of the world's nations. Crucial to the final events is a worldwide unity of political and economic power. In order for that unity to happen, this powerful subgroup has to sign on. Only time will reveal the identity of the 10 kings. Those who observe this prophecy with care will want to watch for a move toward world unity by a major subgrouping of the world's nations, possibly in the context of the United Nations or some similar organization.
If such an action occurs in the reasonably near future, two major candidates for the role described in this passage might be NATO and the G8 nations. NATO is a military alliance made up of the United States, Canada, and 24 European countries (including Turkey, which is partly Europe). It was the outgrowth of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949. The treaty's initial purpose was to provide a political and military counterbalance to Soviet power in Europe. With the collapse of Soviet Communism, NATO has become the chief military and political power in the world. Worldwide union would be inconceivable without its support.
The G8 nations, on the other hand, are more of an economic group than a political or military one. Since 1975 the leaders of the major industrial democracies have been meeting annually to deal with significant economic and political issues. The six countries at the first summit were France, the Untied States, Britain, Germany, Japan, and Italy. Canada joined in 1976 and Russia in 1998. While NATO is the more powerful organization on paper, the G8 countries together can dominate NATO.
Whatever the makeup of the 10 kings, the giving of their authority to the beast results in war with the Lamb (Rev. 17:14). The good news is that the end is not in doubt and that the outcome is clear. The Lamb wins, and the powers of the the world lose.
Lord, I feel confident knowing that in relationship with You I am on the winning side at the end of history. May this confidence motivate me to live boldly for You today.
Previously we have encountered the seven kings. Now John mentions 10 kings! What is going on here? The 10 kingdoms are end-time characters without a pedigree. Receiving their dominion along with the beast in the final period of earth's history, they exist in the time of the "eight king" (Rev. 17:11).
If the beast represents the combined political and economic powers of the world, the 10 horns symbolize a significant subgroup of the world's nations. Crucial to the final events is a worldwide unity of political and economic power. In order for that unity to happen, this powerful subgroup has to sign on. Only time will reveal the identity of the 10 kings. Those who observe this prophecy with care will want to watch for a move toward world unity by a major subgrouping of the world's nations, possibly in the context of the United Nations or some similar organization.
If such an action occurs in the reasonably near future, two major candidates for the role described in this passage might be NATO and the G8 nations. NATO is a military alliance made up of the United States, Canada, and 24 European countries (including Turkey, which is partly Europe). It was the outgrowth of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949. The treaty's initial purpose was to provide a political and military counterbalance to Soviet power in Europe. With the collapse of Soviet Communism, NATO has become the chief military and political power in the world. Worldwide union would be inconceivable without its support.
The G8 nations, on the other hand, are more of an economic group than a political or military one. Since 1975 the leaders of the major industrial democracies have been meeting annually to deal with significant economic and political issues. The six countries at the first summit were France, the Untied States, Britain, Germany, Japan, and Italy. Canada joined in 1976 and Russia in 1998. While NATO is the more powerful organization on paper, the G8 countries together can dominate NATO.
Whatever the makeup of the 10 kings, the giving of their authority to the beast results in war with the Lamb (Rev. 17:14). The good news is that the end is not in doubt and that the outcome is clear. The Lamb wins, and the powers of the the world lose.
Lord, I feel confident knowing that in relationship with You I am on the winning side at the end of history. May this confidence motivate me to live boldly for You today.
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