The ten horns of the beast refer to a symbolic vision described in the biblical Book of Revelation. This vision features a beast with ten horns, which represent ten kings or kingdoms that will rise in the end times.
The main passage about the ten horns is Revelation 17:12-14 (ESV), which states:
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. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 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.
In this vision, the beast itself represents a political power or empire that will wage war against God’s people. The ten horns represent ten subordinate kings or kingdoms that align themselves with this evil empire and support its agenda. Some key points about the ten horns include:
- They are ten contemporaneous kings who will rule alongside the beast for a limited time (“one hour”).
- They “have not yet received royal power” indicating they will arise in the future.
- They voluntarily “hand over their power and authority to the beast”, showing their allegiance.
- They will wage war against Jesus Christ and his followers, but will ultimately be defeated.
The number ten symbolizes completion, totality or an alliance of confederate powers. The fact that the horns are on the head of the beast indicates they are subordinate powers that align with and empower the beast’s dominion.
Many Bible scholars associate the ten horns with the revived Roman Empire that will emerge in the end times. The beast represents the ruler of this empire, while the ten horns represent ten kings or nations that form an alliance with him. Each horn may symbolize either a national ruler or an entire nation or people group.
Various interpretations have been offered about the specific identity of the ten horns, such as:
- Ten nations confederated with the European Union
- Ten kingdoms that could emerge from the former Roman Empire
- Ten currently existing nations (e.g. the G7 + 3 others)
- Ten regions of the world under Antichrist’s control
However, the ten horns are not specifically identified in Scripture, allowing for multiple potential interpretations and future fulfillments. Many Bible scholars believe the vision will only be fulfilled and clearly understood once the end-time scenario comes into view.
Parallels to Daniel’s Four Beasts
The ten horns of Revelation 17 parallel a similar vision in Daniel 7:7-28. In this vision, Daniel sees four beasts representing four successive empires, and the fourth beast has ten horns symbolizing ten kings.
An angel explains to Daniel that the fourth beast is a fourth empire that will be different than the previous ones. Its ten horns are ten kings that will come from this fourth empire (Daniel 7:24). These ten kings will rise to power and subdue three other kings, but they will ultimately be defeated and their power stripped away when God establishes His eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:26-27).
This four empires & ten kings prophecy parallels Revelation’s four empires & ten kings through the beast with ten horns. The fourth empire is understood to be the Roman Empire, so the ten horns represent kings or nations that emerge from or align with the Roman Empire in the end times.
Characteristics of the Ten Horn Kingdoms
Scripture gives us some key details about the nature and actions of the ten horns or kings:
- They will form an alliance with the Antichrist, giving him power and authority (Revelation 17:12-13, Daniel 7:20)
- They will wage war against Jesus Christ and believers, but will be defeated (Revelation 17:14, Daniel 7:21-22)
- They will arise from the fourth empire, associated with Rome/Europe (Daniel 7:7-8)
- They will rule together for a relatively short time (“one hour”) (Revelation 17:12)
- They will be subdued and replaced by Christ’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:26-27)
These details indicate the ten horns will wield considerable power as part of the Antichrist’s end-time empire, but their reign will be short-lived and result in divine judgment.
The Beast and its Heads
The passage about the ten horns in Revelation 17 is in the context of a vision of the beast with seven heads and ten horns. It’s important to understand the significance of the beast itself and its other features besides the ten horns.
The beast represents both a kingdom and its ruler (Revelation 17:10-11). Many scholars identify it with the revived Roman Empire under the rule of the Antichrist. The seven heads represent seven consecutive kings or empires leading up to the beast (Revelation 17:9-10). Five have already fallen (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece), one currently exists (Rome), and the seventh is yet to come (the beast).
An eighth king represented by the beast itself will follow the seven heads. The beast (eighth king) and ten horns (subordinate kings) form an evil, anti-Christian alliance in the end times to oppose God and exalt the Antichrist. But they will be overthrown when Christ returns (Revelation 19:19-21).
They Worship the Dragon and the Beast
Revelation 13 provides more details about the activities and allegiances of the ten horn kingdoms:
And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (Revelation 13:4 ESV)
This verse reveals that the ten kings worship both Satan (the dragon) and the Antichrist (the beast). They pay homage to Satan for giving power and authority to the Antichrist and use coercive force to compel the world to worship the Antichrist (Rev 13:15).
This again shows that the coalition of ten kings are devoted allies of the Antichrist and promoters of the Satanic agenda in the end times. Their reign will be part of the final rebellion against God that ushers in Christ’s return and judgment.
They Give Their Power to the Beast
Not only do the ten kings willingly submit to the authority of the Antichrist, but Revelation 17:13 says they even give their own power and authority over to him:
They have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:13 NLT)
This indicates that the ten horn kingdoms fully merge themselves into the beast’s empire. They jointly wield control and influence over the nations to serve the Antichrist’s aims. All pretense of independent power is abandoned as they devote their resources and allegiance to the beast.
This merging of power will make the Antichrist’s global government incredibly unified, efficient and totalitarian. But it is destined to fail based on its defiance of God’s sovereignty.
They Make War Against the Lamb but Lose
At the height of their power, the allied kings turn their forces against Jesus Christ in a climactic battle, convinced they can defeat the people of God.
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14)
Despite the ten kings’ arrogance, Jesus as the resurrected Lamb and divine King will effortlessly conquer them at His second coming. Their attack will precipitate the very judgment they sought to avoid.
The beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. (Revelation 19:20-21)
The defeat of the ten horns shows that all human resistance against Christ is futile. While they may have a brief season of power permitted by God, ultimately Jesus is sovereign and will reign.
They Are Ten Kings Who Have No Kingdom…Yet
Revelation 17 specifically notes that the ten kings represented by the ten horns have no kingdom when John receives the vision:
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)
This makes it clear the rise of the ten king alliance is still future. While they may emerge from historic empires and nations, their specific manifestation as ten contemporaneous allied kings lies ahead.
This detail prevents people from definitively identifying the ten horns with rulers or nations that existed in John’s day. It also means attempts to equate them with past kings or kingdoms are off-base. The ten horns prophecy will only be fulfilled with certainty after the ten kings arise and align with the final beast empire.
Interpretations of the Ten Horns Throughout History
Various interpreters throughout church history have offered speculation about the identities of the ten kings represented by the ten horns of the beast in Revelation.
Early suggestions included Parthian satraps, barbarian tribes attacking Rome, or Roman senators opposing Christianity. During the Middle Ages, they were thought to be various rulers or nations opposing the church.
Some Reformation-era scholars like Martin Luther proposed the ten horns were secular and ecclesiastical rulers persecuting the church. Others identified them as European political powers, including the Habsburgs, Visigoths, Franks, and Lombards.
In the 17th-20th centuries, some speculated the ten horns were Arab tribes, or the Ottoman Empire, or specific European states. Dispensationalists see them as ten kingdoms around the Mediterranean that will form a confederacy during the tribulation.
Modern interpreters continue offering various theories about the ten horns’ identities, while admitting the specifics remain unsettled pending their future fulfillment. As such, dogmatism about the ten horns’ precise meaning is cautioned against.
While their identities remain debated, Scripture gives enough information about their general characteristics, allegiances, and roles to understand the major themes and broad sequence of end-time events.
Summary Points
Here are some key points to understand about the ten horns of the beast:
- They represent ten kings or kingdoms that will form an alliance with the Antichrist in the end times
- They will arise out of the final manifestation of the Roman empire
- They will give their own power and allegiance to the Antichrist
- They will persecute believers and wage war against Christ
- They will rule for a brief time right before Christ’s return
- They will be defeated by Christ when He establishes His eternal kingdom
The prophecy of the ten horns gives us foreknowledge of the main coalitions and patterns that will characterize the final years before Jesus’ return. While the details will become clearer as end-time events unfold, we can know in advance that resistance to God will ultimately fail. In the end, the kingdoms of the earth will become the kingdom of Christ and His people will reign forever.