Who are the seven heads in the book of revelation?

Who are the seven heads in the book of revelation?


Who are the seven heads in the book of revelation?

In Bible prophecy we often find ourselves reading about Dragons, Beasts, and other mystical creatures. And although the description the Bible gives to these creatures can be frightening, we understand that these creatures are symbolic.  One such symbol that this study will focus on is the Seven Heads found in the 12th, 13th, and 17th chapters of Revelation.  Here's how John presents them:


And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:3


And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.  Revelation 13:1


So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 17:3


There's a lot of speculation on the identity of these Seven Heads, however, John may have increased that speculation when he made the following declaration of the Seven Heads: "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." Revelation 17:11-12


In this study, we will find out exactly who these Seven Heads are but first let's look at some of the more popular interpretations regarding this symbol.


                 SEVEN ROMAN GOVERNMENTS

SEVEN ROMAN GOVERNMENTS

In Bible prophecy we often find ourselves reading about Dragons, Beasts, and other mystical creatures. And although the description the Bible gives to these creatures can be frightening, we understand that these creatures are symbolic. One such symbol that this study will focus on is the Seven Heads found in the 12th, 13th, and 17th chapters of Revelation. Here's how John presents them:


And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:3


And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.  Revelation 13:1


So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 17:3


There's a lot of speculation on the identity of these Seven Heads, however, John may have increased that speculation when he made the following declaration of the Seven Heads: "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." Revelation 17:11-12


In this study, we will find out exactly who these Seven Heads are but first let's look at some of the more popular interpretations regarding this symbol.


SEVEN ROMAN GOVERNMENTS

A popular interpretation among Adventists is that these Seven Heads are seven forms of Roman government. In Uriah Smith's book, Daniel and the Revelation, he lists them as: 1) Kingly, 2) Consular, 3) Decemvirate, 4) Dictatorial, 5) Triumvirate, 6) Imperial, and 7) Papal. (DAR p. 659)






While this view has merit, these forms of government are not really governments; they are sub-governments. In reality, the Roman Empire only had three forms of government: 1) Kingdom, 2) Republic, and 3) Empire. If we attempt to interpret the seven heads as these Roman sub-governments, we will soon realize that there were more than seven of these sub-governments. The list provided by Uriah Smith seems to omit other sub-governments like the Principate and the Dominate. It also omits the Roman government where the Empire was divided by its Eastern and Western territories with Emperors ruling both sides. You see, once we study this theory it becomes evident that Rome had more than seven governments which suggests that the Seven Heads in Revelation must symbolize something else.

A popular interpretation among Adventists is that these Seven Heads are seven forms of Roman government. In Uriah Smith's book, Daniel and the Revelation, he lists them as: 1) Kingly, 2) Consular, 3) Decemvirate, 4) Dictatorial, 5) Triumvirate, 6) Imperial, and 7) Papal. (DAR p. 659)


While this view has merit, these forms of government are not really governments; they are sub-governments. In reality, the Roman Empire only had three forms of government: 1) Kingdom, 2) Republic, and 3) Empire. If we attempt to interpret the seven heads as these Roman sub-governments, we will soon realize that there were more than seven of these these sub-governments. The list provided by Uriah Smith seems to omit other sub-governments like the Principate and the Dominate. It also omits the Roman government where the Empire was divided by its Eastern and Western territories with Emperors ruling both sides. You see, once we study this theory it becomes evident that Rome had more than seven governments which suggests that the Seven Heads in Revelation must symbolize  something else.

A popular interpretation among Adventists is that these Seven Heads are seven forms of Roman government. In Uriah Smith's book, Daniel and the Revelation (p. 659), he lists them as: 

1) Kingly 

2) Consular

3) Decemvirate

4) Dictatorial

5) Triumvirate

6) Imperial

7) Papal


While this view has merit, these forms of government are not really governments; they are sub-governments. In reality, the Roman Empire only had three forms of government: 1) Kingdom, 2) Republic, and 3) Empire. If we attempt to interpret the seven heads as these Roman sub-governments, we will soon realize that there were more than seven of these sub-governments. The list provided by Uriah Smith seems to omit other sub-governments like the Principate and the Dominate. It also omits the Roman government where the Empire was divided by its Eastern and Western territories with Emperors ruling both sides. You see, once we study this theory it becomes evident that Rome had more than seven governments which suggests that the Seven Heads in Revelation must symbolize something else.

SEVEN ROMAN Emperors

Popular with Evangelicals is the notion that the Seven Heads represented seven Roman Emperors. This theory, beginning with Julius Caesar and ending with Emperor Otho, suggests that the Emperor who was ruling at the time of John would have been Nero, and the Emperor who ruled for a short time would've been Emperor Galba, who ruled for about seven months. While this seems logical, we run into a problem when we discover Emperor Otho ruled for only three months! Even though the short time Galba reigned is short for an emperor, it's not short compared to the reign of Emperor Otho. This theory also doesn't explain how the eighth is part of the seventh. Nor does it explain why the eight head is also called the Beast.

SEVEN Catholic Popes

Another popular theory suggests that the Seven Heads are seven Roman Catholic Popes. 


In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected as the head of the Catholic Church; however, when he abruptly stepped down from his position in 2013, some saw this as a direct fulfillment of Revelation 17:10, which says the seventh would "continue for a short space." However, there are two problems with this theory: 


1) Pope John Paul I, who became head of the Catholic Church in 1978, would be considered the 5th king (assuming Benedict was the 7th) and "ruled" for only 33 days. 


2) Benedict would then die in 2022 nullifying the idea that he would come back as Pope, fulfilling verse 11 which says "the eighth, and is of the seven"

SEVEN EMPIRES BEGINNING WITH BABYLON

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads suggests they are successive empires that have ruled the known world and have a history of persecuting God's people. Beginning with the first dominant kingdom of Daniel's era allows us to compile the following list: 1) Babylon, 2) Media, 3) Persia, 4) Greece, 5) Roman Empire, 6) Papal Roman Empire, 7) United States, 8) A revived Roman Empire.


While this view is very logical, there's one problem that, in my opinion, nullifies it:


Revelation 17:10 says, "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is..."


According to the Biblical record, John's vision occurred sometime in the first century, which was at the height of Pagan Rome's success. However, those of us who've studied history, know Pagan Rome didn't fall for another 400 years. 


Now do you see why this interpretation is problematic? Using this interpretation suggests John lived during the Papal Roman Empire; but we know this is incorrect as history reveals the Papacy wasn't established until the sixth century. Either this interpretation is erroneous or our history books are wrong.

SEVEN EMPIRES BEGINNING WITH Egypt

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads follows a similar concept of the previous view, however, this list of kingdoms has some significant differences. Instead of the list beginning with the power that ruled the world during Daniel's time, this list begins with the first power to persecute God's people while ruling the known world—the Egyptian Empire.


Beginning with the Empire of the Pharaoh's, the list of kingdoms rolls out in the following manner: 


1) Egypt

2) Assyria

3) Babylon

4) Medo-Persia

5) Greece

6) Pagan Rome

7) Papal Rome

8) United States of America


This list represents the succession of every world superpower that has or will persecute God's people from the time God called a people to Himself. 


This list also correctly places the sixth kingdom that "Was" during the time of John, making the Papacy the head that "Is Not," and the United States the power that "Yet Is."


I believe this list is the most logical and represents the true meaning of the Seven Heads.

                 SEVEN ROMAN EMPERORS

SEVEN ROMAN EMPERORS

The theory that the Seven Heads in the Book of Revelation represent seven Roman Emperors has gained significant popularity among Evangelicals. According to this theory, the sequence begins with Julius Caesar and concludes with Emperor Otho. This theory also suggests that Nero was the Emperor ruling at the time of John, and Galba, who reigned for about seven months, followed him. 


However, this seemingly logical explanation encounters a significant hiccup when we consider that Emperor Otho's rule lasted only three months.


If Revelation 17:10 declares the seventh king would rule for a short period of time, then how can its reign be longer than the eighth king? 


In addition to the time discrepancy between Galba's short seven-month reign and Otho's even shorter three-month reign, this theory becomes even more questionable when we try to decipher how the eighth head was also part of the seventh or seven heads. The prophecy already declared that all seven heads were kings, thus it wouldn't make sense for the prophecy to make a declaration that Otho was ruler just like the other seven kings. We would already know that Otho is part of the seven by the fact he is was king.


Neither can this theory explain verse 11's meaning when it says "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth..." If a Beast is a kingdom, can Otho be his own kingdom, separate from the other seven?


As you can see, this theory only makes sense if we do a surface level study of Revelation 17. However, once we closely examine these texts, it should be clear to you that the Seven Heads cannot be Roman Emperors.

The theory that the Seven Heads in the Book of Revelation represent seven Roman Emperors has gained significant popularity among Evangelicals. According to this theory, the sequence begins with Julius Caesar and concludes with Emperor Otho. This theory also suggests that Nero was the Emperor ruling at the time of John, and Galba, who reigned for about seven months, followed him. 


However, this seemingly logical explanation encounters a significant hiccup when we consider that Emperor Otho's rule lasted only three months.


If Revelation 17:10 declares the seventh king would rule for a short period of time, then how can its reign be longer than the eighth king? 


In addition to the time discrepancy between Galba's short seven-month reign and Otho's even shorter three-month reign, this theory becomes even more questionable when we try to decipher how the eighth head was also part of the seventh or seven heads. The prophecy already declared that all seven heads were kings, thus it wouldn't make sense for the prophecy to make a declaration that Otho was ruler just like the other seven kings. We would already know that Otho is part of the seven by the fact he is was king.


Neither can this theory explain verse 11's meaning when it says "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth..." If a Beast is a kingdom, can Otho be his own kingdom, separate from the other seven?


As you can see, this theory only makes sense if we do a surface level study of Revelation 17. However, once we closely examine these texts, it should be clear to you that the Seven Heads cannot be Roman Emperors.

                 SEVEN CATHOLIC POPES

SEVEN CATHOLIC POPES


Another theory suggests that the Seven Heads are seven Roman Catholic Popes. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected as the head of the Catholic Church; however, when he abruptly stepped down from his position in 2013, some saw this as a direct fulfillment of Revelation 17:10, which says the seventh would "continue for a short space." However, there are two problems with this theory: 


1) Pope John Paul I, who became head of the Catholic Church in 1978, would be considered the 5th king (assuming Benedict was the 7th) and "ruled" for only 33 days, which was signficantly shorter than Benedict.


2) Benedict would then die in 2022 nullifying the idea that he would come back as Pope, fulfilling verse 11 which says "the eighth, and is of the seven"


Although, we know the Papacy's role in the final days, we should be careful of terraforming prophecy to make all prophecy point to this system.

Another theory suggests that the Seven Heads are seven Roman Catholic Popes. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected as the head of the Catholic Church; however, when he abruptly stepped down from his position in 2013, some saw this as a direct fulfillment of Revelation 17:10, which says the seventh would "continue for a short space." However, there are two problems with this theory: 


1) Pope John Paul I, who became head of the Catholic Church in 1978, would be considered the 5th king (assuming Benedict was the 7th) and "ruled" for only 33 days, which was signficantly shorter than Benedict.


2) Benedict would then die in 2022 nullifying the idea that he would come back as Pope, fulfilling verse 11 which says "the eighth, and is of the seven"


Although, we know the Papacy's role in the final days, we should be careful of terraforming prophecy to make all prophecy point to this system.

      SEVEN Empires beginning with babylon

SEVEN EMPIRES BEGINNING WITH BABYLON

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads suggests they are successive empires that have ruled the known world and have a history of persecuting God's people. Beginning with the first dominant kingdom of Daniel's era allows us to compile the following list: 1) Babylon, 2) Media, 3) Persia, 4) Greece, 5) Roman Empire, 6) Papal Roman Empire, 7) United States, 8) A revived Roman Empire.


While this view is very logical, there's one problem that, in my opinion, nullifies it:


Revelation 17:10 says, "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is..."


According to the Biblical record, John's vision occurred sometime in the first century, which was at the height of Pagan Rome's success. However, those of us who've studied history, know Pagan Rome didn't fall for another 400 years. 


Now do you see why this interpretation is problematic? Using this interpretation suggests John lived during the Papal Roman Empire; but we know this is incorrect as history reveals the Papacy wasn't established until the sixth century. Either this interpretation is erroneous or our history books are wrong.

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads suggests they are successive empires that have ruled the known world and have a history of persecuting God's people. Beginning with the first dominant kingdom of Daniel's era allows us to compile the following list: 1) Babylon, 2) Media, 3) Persia, 4) Greece, 5) Roman Empire, 6) Papal Roman Empire, 7) United States, 8) A revived Roman Empire.


While this view is very logical, there's one problem that, in my opinion, nullifies it:


Revelation 17:10 says, "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is..."


According to the Biblical record, John's vision occurred sometime in the first century, which was at the height of Pagan Rome's success. However, those of us who've studied history, know Pagan Rome didn't fall for another 400 years. 


Now do you see why this interpretation is problematic? Using this interpretation suggests John lived during the Papal Roman Empire; but we know this is incorrect as history reveals the Papacy wasn't established until the sixth century. Either this interpretation is erroneous or our history books are wrong.

      SEVEN EMPIRES BEGINNING WITH Egypt

SEVEN EMPIRES BEGINNING WITH EGYPT

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads follows a similar concept of the previous view, however, this list of kingdoms has some significant differences. Instead of the list beginning with the power that ruled the world during Daniel's time, this list begins with the first power to persecute God's people while ruling the known world—the Egyptian Empire.


Beginning with the Empire of the Pharaoh's, the list of kingdoms rolls out in the following manner: 


1) Egypt

2) Assyria

3) Babylon

4) Medo-Persia

5) Greece

6) Pagan Rome

7) Papal Rome

8) United States of America


This list represents the succession of every world superpower that has or will persecute God's people from the time God called a people to Himself. 


This list also correctly places the sixth kingdom that "Was" during the time of John, making the Papacy the head that "Is Not," and the United States the power that "Yet Is."


I believe this list is the most logical and represents the true meaning of the Seven Heads.

Another interpretation of the Seven Heads follows a similar concept of the previous view, however, this list of kingdoms has some significant differences. Instead of the list beginning with the power that ruled the world during Daniel's time, this list begins with the first power to persecute God's people while ruling the known world—the Egyptian Empire.


Beginning with the Empire of the Pharaoh's, the list of kingdoms rolls out in the following manner: 


1) Egypt

2) Assyria

3) Babylon

4) Medo-Persia

5) Greece

6) Pagan Rome

7) Papal Rome

8) United States of America



This list represents the succession of every world superpower that has or will persecute God's people from the time God called a people to Himself. 


This list also correctly places the sixth kingdom that "Was" during the time of John, making the Papacy the head that "Is Not," and the United States the power that "Yet Is."


I believe this list is the most logical and represents the true meaning of the Seven Heads.

Your Questions Answered

The above list of seven heads, leads us to ask a few questions. Hopefully, the below answers will help you see this important truth.

  • Shouldn't the Papacy be the final power? Why is America listed as your eighth head?

    One of the biggest misnomers among Adventists is the idea that the Papacy is the last power to persecute God's people. In talking to some of our brethren, many of them have an idea in their head that the healing of the Papal hierarchy means the Papacy will sit on a throne and rule the known world as he did in the Dark Ages.  While I can understand why many believe this view, what you must understand is that Inspiration says different.


    According to Ellen White, "...the last that is to wage war against the church and the law of God, is represented by a beast with lamblike horns. The beasts preceding it had risen from the sea; but this came up out of the earth, representing the peaceful rise of the nation which it symbolized—the United States." ST Feb 8, 1910


    As we can clearly see, the Papacy is not the last persecuting power, Ellen clearly gives that role to the United States of America. Many Adventists are sadly placing all their focus on the Papacy when Revelation 13:10-18 is more about the Lamb-like Beast. However, am I suggesting that the Papacy has no role in the final days? Absolutely not! The Papacy's deadly wound is healed and all the world will once again worship the first Beast. But what we may not understand is that its deadly wound is healed through the legislation of the Lamb-like Beast, the United States of America. 


    In essence, the revival of the Papacy's worship comes through the United States of America, once it enacts Papal friendly legislation.

  • According to Revelation 17:10, the sixth kingdom rules for a short space. How can this refer to the Papacy, which lasted for 1260 years?

    Revelation 17:10 reveals that the 6th kingom would "continue for a short space." The word for continue in the original language means to tarry or dwell, thus the text is saying the Papacy will tarry for a short season.


    Students of prophecy may be confused how I determine that the Papacy dwells for for a short season, when in fact the reign of the Papacy lasted for 1260 years. That's because most view the "short space" as a period OF time; however, what I want you to see this season as a period IN time. The short space is a dispensation; it's an era.


    With this in mind, notice this era or dispensation revealed a few chapter earlier:


    In Revelation 12, we see the history of Satan, the dragon. According to narrative, after Satan was cast down, he came to a realization. 


    Verse 12 says, "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."


    According to the text, the dispensation of the short time began not long after Christ was crucified. This time frame coincides with what Paul calls, the falling away (2Th 2:3). Ellen White also refers to this same period of time, but she calls it the great apostasy:


    "The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power." 88 GC p. 49


    As we can see, the short time began in the dark ages, and that time coincides with the establishment and rule of the Papacy. 


    What you also must understand is that this short time contines through the "reign" of the United States and its revival of the Papacy all the way until the end of the world.

  • Egypt and Assyria are not part of Daniel's vision. How can they be a part of the Seven Heads?

    This is a fairly common question among Seventh-day Adventists. I've heard some Adventists tell me that if Egypt and Assyria cannot be found in the prophecies of Daniel then they cannot be part of the Seven Heads in Revelation.


    If you read my study on the Three Ribs in the Bear's Mouth, you will understand that Egypt and Assyria are indeed part of Daniel's vision; however, because they predated the Babylonian Empire, they, along with Babylon, were presented in Daniel 7 as ribs in the mouth of the Bear. Therefore, we can conclude that, although vaguely mentioned,Egypt and Assyria are clearly a part of Daniel's prophecy.

  • How can the Seven Heads be previous Empires that were non-Roman

    The first thing we must establish is that prophecy sometimes views its symbols outside of normal time and space.


    We see a clear example of this idea in the very prophecy we are discussing. If we recall, John the Revelator beheld a Beast with seven heads. The fact that John saw all seven heads at the same time would suggest that these seven authoritative powers ruled at the same time. However, Rev 17:10 revealed that even though the Beast had seven heads, five of them had already fallen. If we were interpreting these symbols within the normal time and space parameters, then this Beast would only have one head, since John told us that only one "Was" at that time.


    But because prophecy is not bound by time and space, we understand that even though five of the heads were in the past, and one of the heads was future, prophecy is describing them as if they are all in existence at one time.


    We confirm this theory when we look at Nebuchadnezzar's Image. When we read this prophecy, we understand that we are living in the feet and toes of the image. However, when Christ comes back, notice what gets destroyed along with the feet and toes:


    "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces TOGETHER..." Daniel 2:34-35


    If we are living in the toes of iron and clay, then how are the gold, silver, brass, and iron destroyed at the end of the world? It's because prophetic time is not always linear; here we can clearly see time is almost simultaneous as all the world powers are ultimately destroyed at the same time. 


    Understanding the above concept, we should now see that all the previous world governments and future world governments prophetically exist in this Beast as the Seven Heads. 



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