Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?

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Many look at Europe and do not see a continent that will do much to affect the world.

Yet, Revelation 17:12-13 tells of two reorganizations that are to occur that will result in the rise of the final Beast power (a third happens later; cf. Revelation 17:15-17).

Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 currently existing nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to?

Those that do not understand this may find that they will not understand when the Beast power is about to start the Great Tribulation. This will prove disastrous for those who insist on a non-biblical position.

This article will examine the Bible, the position of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG), the position of the improperly named . Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), the position of the Living Church of God (LCG), and the position of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). (A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.)

What Does Revelation 17:12-13 State? What Does the Greek Show?

Let’s start by looking at what Revelation 17:12-13 states:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13, NKJV throughout unless otherwise specified)

These ten kings have no kingdom, but are to attain one. Thus, this is a type of reorganization in verse 12–and basically a type of major or great reset (see also Is a Great Reset Coming?). Since they give their power to the Beast in verse 13, this is a second reorganization. The Beast is the one who was the prince of Daniel 9:26 (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27). He is also the seventh king of Revelation 17:10, and becomes so with the fulfillment of Revelation 17:13. As far as the identity of the sixth king of Revelation 17:10, check out the article: The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17.

The “beast” is not shown to have much power prior to Revelation 17:12-13. This beast would seem to have Assyrian roots per Isaiah 10:5-11, and hence would likely be someone from Germany or Austria (see also Germany in Biblical and Roman Catholic Prophecy). This turnover power to him results in a dictatorship–likely similar to the one led by Adolf Hitler (see also European Unity to be like Hitler?).

Notice that Revelation 17:12-13 does NOT say that ten existing nations will give their power to the Beast, but that ten kings who had not had a kingdom will get power and transfer it. This, as I have written before (see Herman von Rompuy, the Greek Debt Crisis, and Where May this Lead?), means that a political/structural shift is expected to happen in Europe.

The Bible shows that fourth horseman of the apocalypse will result in death of a quarter of humankind (Revelation 6:8; watch also Fourth Horseman, COVID, and the Rise of the Beast of Revelation). This will cause MASSIVE FEAR around the world.

One or more crises, combined with fear, will be a factor in the rise of the prophesied totalitarian beast power who will be given power after a reorganization in Europe. Expect “troubles” (Mark 13:8), economic issues,migrant issues, and even trade issues to be factors. Revelation 17:13 itself will be fulfulled after the opening of the fourth seal and the start of the ride of the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse, but before the opening o the fifth seal

While nations will be involved, Revelation 17:12-13 looks to be referring to groups of nations, combinations of nations, and/or redrawn territorial borders. This European leader will one day push against those of Islam (Daniel 11:40-43).

The term translated in English from the Greek in Revelation 17:12, basileís (Greek characters βασιλεïς), as “kings,” essentially means “possessor of the highest office of a political realm” (Bauer’s A Greek Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Church Literature, 3rd edition. FW Danker editor. 2000, University of Chicago Press, pp. 169-170).

Also the biblical fact that these ‘kings’ had no kingdom prior to becoming kings also helps prove that this is not a reference to ten currently existing nations. Furthermore, the term translated in English as “kingdoms” from the Greek in Revelation 17:12, basileín (Greek characters βασιλεíαν), means “royal administrations” (Ibid, pp. 168-169) is not specifically referring to existing nations.

An Eastern Orthodox writer seems to agree that it is not ten currently nations as he wrote:

Therefore perhaps we should see in the ten kingdoms ten provinces of the future world government, “the New World Order”, which is to be ruled by the Antichrist. (Moss V. APOCALYPSE -THE BOOK OF THE END. 2018, p. 172)

Various European leaders have suggested a loss of sovereignty in Europe already. Notice something that German Chancellor Angela Merkel said November 2018 that was reported in English the following month:

Submitted by Tapainfo.com

“Nation states must today be prepared to give up their sovereignty”, according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who told an audience in Berlin that sovereign nation states must not listen to the will of their citizens when it comes to questions of immigration, borders, or even sovereignty.

No this wasn’t something Adolf Hitler said many decades ago, this is what German Chancellor Angela Merkel told attendants at an event by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-12-27/angela-merkel-nation-states-must-give-sovereignty-new-world-order

Do not think that the European Beast must be 10 currently existing nations!

Before going further, it is possible that the following may apply as this seemingly explains partially how this reorganization happens:

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24)

Daniel 11:23 could happen before Revelation 17:12-13 or be directly related to it. The small number of people could be related to the ten kings, one or more of which could have some affiliation with groups like the Freemasons (see also Freemasonry and the Destruction of Rome?).

It also should be noted that the Greek terms normally translated as “nation” or “nations” (Strong’s word 1484) is not used in Revelation 17:12. Although the term for nations is in that chapter (verse 15), it is not part of what is happening in Revelation 17:12 or 17:13. If God wanted to specify ten existing nations, He could have inspired Revelation 17:12 to be worded differently.

Yet, some have oddly concluded that Revelation 17:12 specifies that ten currently existing nations, and only ten currently existing nations, will turn their power over to ten new leaders (who will then give it to the final Beast). But that limitations on ten existing nations is not consistent with what the Greek states. And while one does not need to be an expert in Greek to understand the Bible, one should not insist that the Greek states something it does not if one truly wants to understand the Bible.

Notice also another prophecy from Daniel:

24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. (Daniel 7:24)

We see that that the ten kings are to arise from the Roman/European kingdom, and that another will arise–he is the Beast of the Sea of Revelation 13. While the old WCG taught this referred to ten kings (Armstrong HW. Beasts of Daniel and Revelation. Bible Study, November 8, 1980) or ten successive kingdoms (Armstrong HW. Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast? – Part 1. Good News Magazine October-November 1985) that would lead to the Beast, another way to look at this is to notice that it is literally consistent with Revelation 17:12-13.

It may be of interest to note that some Catholics are looking towards the time a future leader that they call the ‘Great Monarch’ (see The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies) or the ‘great prince of the North’ (who is really the Beast of the Sea and the final King of the North that the Bible warns against in Revelation 13:1-10 and Daniel 11:27-45) will cause a type of reorganization in Europe:

Rudolph Gekner (died 1675). “A great prince of the North with a most powerful army will traverse all Europe, uproot all republics, and exterminate all rebels. His sword moved by Divine power will most valiantly defend the Church of Jesus Christ. He will combat on behalf of the true orthodox faith, and shall subdue to his dominion the Mahometan Empire. A new pastor of the universal church will come from the shore (of Dalmatia) through a celestial prodigy, and in simplicity of heart adorned with the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Peace will come to the world.” (Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.36).

Currently, Europe is filled with various ‘republics.’ They will not remain as they are. The Beast may state that he is working for unity and the elimination of divisive nationalism.

While we are not relying on this Catholic prediction, the Bible does show that reorganization will occur in Europe (Revelation 17:12), the Beast will persecute the faithful (Daniel 7:25) who will not wear the mark (Revelation 13:16-17) and that the King of the North will overpower the King of the South, who rules territories that are currently Muslim (Daniel 11:40-43). The Beast will also bring in a worldwide religion (Revelation 13:4,8).