“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13).

The seven heads of the beast were described in a unique sequence in verse 10, revealing to us life and death issues regarding its kingdom leaders. The number seven is a metaphor that they acted by divine authority.[1] The symbol of the seven hills disclosed to us that the location of this power is Rome – the center of religious apostasy.

Now another part of the beast is described. The horns give it undisputed power. This reminds us of the ten horns of Daniel 7:7-8, 20-25. Then “one of them that stood by” (7:16 – the Son of man or the Ancient of Days) told Daniel: “The ten horns … are ten kings” (Daniel 7:24).

“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings” (vs 12)

We must look elsewhere in Revelation for clues as to who these are.

Out of the mouths of the dragon, beast and false prophet come “spirits of devils” which go to the “kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle” (16:13-14).

The heads were kings of the Vatican kingdom. The horns on the beast are kings of earthly kingdoms – apparently involving the whole earth (cf. 16:13-14, 17:2, 18, 18:3-4, 19:19). This is the story of how Babylon comes to its end (17:1). The above references (16:13-14) precede that end (16:19). Satanic powers influence the kings of the whole world. These horns reveal that they give power and control to or defend that beast!

Ten is symbolic for the sum total of anti-Christian power.[2] But who might these world leaders be? What kingdoms do they rule over? It appears that they collectively rule with the beast in a final world empire. Since the beast is initially the Vatican – this “Roman Kingdom” will rule the world just before Christ’s final parousia.[3] Then it will cooperate with Satan in a final, brief coalition. A vast confederation is in view.

1.     “With whom [the harlot] the kings of the earth have committed fornication” (17:2)

2.     The woman reigns over “the kings of the earth” (17:18)

3.     “The kings of the earth have committed fornication” with the harlot (18:3).

4.     “The kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her” (18:9)

5.    “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army” (19:19).

These ten horns represent those kings – clearly anticipated to reign over
kingdoms.

This world movement is bonded “deliciously” and appears in prophecy to have a singular end-time objective – to war against Christ and His people. This links to the little horn of Daniel 8:10-11 and is soon to be graphically described in 17:14 and later in 19:19! There is an issue that turns the world against Christ and His people. We get amazing clues elsewhere. When Satan makes war against the remnant, John states that they keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus (12:17). Then it notes the same for the saints in 14:12 – but, then, they have the “faith of Jesus.” They can’t be moved. No persecution, coercion or even death alters their commitment to God.

Then it says something most interesting about these kings:

“which have received no kingdom as yet;” (vs 12)

That means that this is a prophecy of ten kings/kingdoms to yet emerge future to the king which “is.” That is the setting for this prophecy. At the time of Pope John Paul II those kings and kingdoms were yet to develop or be defined.

In 13:1 the beast’s horns have crowns. They clearly represent kings with kingdoms. Between 17:12 and 13:1 something changes in the world support of the beast; these ten kings and kingdoms emerge. What happens? What is altered on the world scene?

There is a link between the number “ten” and the number of “kings” that give direct support to the Vatican (and its leaders and church). Has the world been divided into ten regions? Are leaders anticipated over a new world order?

In 1968 The Club of Rome was begun as a think tank to address the long-range challenges of the world (population, environment, trade, food, economics, etc.). Details of its origins and membership are scant. But it is well funded and has a website (clubofrome.org). In 1972 it commissioned a team of individuals at Case Western Reserve University to address many of these issues and to divide the world into ten regions. This was called “Regionalized and Adaptive Model of the Global World System.”

This is the map they devised:

The United Nations soon revealed its own ten world divisions based on food growth and distribution.[4]

Soon geography books adapted a socio-political model of ten world divisions.[5]

Then in 1997 the World Trade Organization did the same.[6]

In 2000 UNESCO independently divided the world into similar regions.[7]

All these regional areas are similar. The concepts are based on shared resources/wealth and common good. That is part of a deep philosophical tenet of the Roman Catholic Church and is outlined in their Catechism.

The Club of Rome celebrated its 40^th anniversary on June 15, 2008. Intense networking with world governments, the United Nations and a myriad of organizations were under way. The Club set a “time capsule” for one hundred of its elite members and affiliates to come up with what they expect to see on the world scene by 2018.[8] The deadline to have their recommendations submitted was March 16, 2009.

That is most interesting. 2018 is exactly 40 years after the pope that “is” came to power – or – one generation.

The Club of Rome Time Capsule

Is all this coincidental? At this time (writing August 2009) there are too many things coming together. With the unexplained instability in the U.S. economy (it is more than the mortgage market subprime loans), the move towards regionalization of the world into ten regions and the center of this activity in some “mysterious way” tied to Rome, we are on the verge of something dramatic. Revelation 13 clearly shows those horns with “kingdom power crowns.” Ten powers that are tied to the world will give strength/power to the papacy. Prophecy is precise. These events are moving quickly in that direction. A recent headline:

“Henry Kissinger: The world must forge a new order or retreat to chaos. Not since JFK has there been such a reservoir of expectations. The extraordinary impact of the President … on the imagination of humanity is an important element in shaping a new world order. The new administration could make no worse mistake than to rest on its initial popularity … a new world order is crucial.”[9]

“but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” (vs 12)

When this prophecy is fulfilled, these kings/horns will rule over kingdoms with the beast. Who gives them “power,” or better translated, “authority”? Throughout this apocalyptic book God permits evil to finish its course and provides Satan and his host one final period to reveal their true character. This is seen elsewhere (6:2, 4, 8; 7:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 13:5, 7; 16:8).[10]

“One hour” is also alluded to in the next chapter (18:10, 17, 19) as the time in which “Babylon the Great” comes into judgment by God. This echoes the words, “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour” (Daniel 4:19). This indicates prophetically a very “short time”[11] and must not be interpreted as a timing period. It was the shortest measure of time in the ancient world[12] and was used figuratively.

This alliance of “one hour” corresponds to the brief reign of the seventh head which “continues for a short space.”[13] This period of power is a maximum of three and a half years (Revelation 11:2, 12:14, 13:5), confirming the time of its coalition. E. G. White knew this:

“In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light, with great power and heavenly glory, and claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week; and as lord of the first day of the week he will present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment of the Revelator's prophecy. [Rev. 13:4-18, quoted.]”[14]

Included in her references is the 42 months of Revelation 13:5. This must be literal time since another 1260-year period at the end “after” Satan appears as an angel of light would be unthinkable.

“Ultimately the ten kings are ‘purely eschatological figures representing the totality of the powers of all nations on the earth, which are to be made subservient to antichrist.’”[15]

The ten horns symbolize naked might, not sanctioned by any claim of divine authority but by its own authority and ruling power. When they receive their crowns (kingdoms – 13:1), they are still shown as providing support to the beast.

“These have one mind,” (vs 13)

This is a fascinating phrase. “One mind” (mian gnomen) is an idiom out of John’s era from the political arena.[16] The leaders of these ten areas of the world are of one accord relative to yielding their authority to the papacy! This shocking prophecy reveals an unprecedented tie between church and state. But the “state” concept has burgeoned into the “world.”

“and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” (vs 13)

It is difficult to fathom the extent of support and servitude that this means. The world appears to give total allegiance to the papacy. They surrender everything to the beast.[17] They not only reign with Rome – they submit to its authority.[18]

We can view these kingdoms as supporting both the papacy and the dragon. However, the former is emphasized because of the vision narrative in Revelation 13.

What provokes this alliance? The next verse describes a war against Christ. But there is a reason behind the war. John was told that three “unclean [deceptive – evil] spirits,” “Spirits of devils” “working miracles” go forth to the “kings of the earth” and the whole world (Revelation 16:13-14). Purpose? To draft everyone into earth’s final war coalition!

“Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle and all the world will be on one side or the other of the question.”[19]

“Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven.”[20]

“A terrible conflict is before us. We are nearing the battle of the great day of God Almighty. That which has been held in control is to be let loose. The angel of mercy is folding her wings, preparing to step down from the throne and leave the world to the control of Satan. The principalities and powers of earth are in bitter revolt against the God of heaven. They are filled with hatred against those who serve Him, and soon, very soon, will be fought the last great battle between good and evil. The earth is to be the battle field – the scene of the final contest and the final victory. Here, where for so long Satan has led men against God, rebellion is to be forever suppressed.”[21]

The insights advanced above reveal horrific evil in the religious world. The Sabbath will be defied. The resulting persecution reflects the war against Christ and His followers.

This coalition reflects the time when the horns (kings) have received their kingdoms (seen with the crowns of Revelation 13). The word for “purpose” or “one mind” ties to Paul’s exhortation to the
Corinthian church (I Corinthians 1:10). That defines total unity – but, there, it is on God’s side.[22]

In 17:17 we will note that the horns and the beast alliance is not forced but by their own volition. It all emerges, however, through divine permission. Why? God is letting Satan and his followers demonstrate to the universe what his character is like when unbridled. Thus, the world will become divided into two camps. When Christ comes, the “selection” process will be easily defined (Matthew 25:31-33).

All the forces that rule with this antichrist beast will do so for only a short time. Christ’s deliverance (Daniel 12:1) and then coming (Revelation 19:16) will rupture Satan’s final confederacy.

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; Prophecy Research Initiative © 2009