3.2.22. Ten HornsKings

The ten horns first appear in Daniel’s night vision—arising from the fourth, terrible beast ^[#12-#22] (Dan. Dan. 7:24). From these horns an eleventh little horn arises ^[#22-#15] (Dan. Dan. 7:8). This little horn overcomes three of the previous ten horns (Dan. Dan. 7:8, Dan. 7:24). John sees the same ten horns upon the dragon ^[#15-#22] (Rev. Rev. 12:3+) and upon the Beast ^[#16-#22] (Rev. Rev. 13:1+; Rev. 17:3+, Rev. 17:7+). Indicating:

1. The horns are empowered by the dragon for the ultimate purpose which the dragon has for the Beast. This is seen in their submission to the Beast.
2. The Beast is the final stage of Daniel’s fourth terrible beast out of which the ten horns arose ^[#12-#22] (Dan. Dan. 7:24).

The ten horns are ten kings (Rev. Rev. 17:12+) of the time of the end who had not received authority by the time of John’s vision “but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast.” ^[#16-#22] (Rev. Rev. 17:12-13+). Although the Harlot reigns over the kings of the earth ^[#21-#22] (Rev. Rev. 17:18+), these kings hate the Harlot and destroy her in accordance with God’s will ^[#22-#21] (Rev. Rev. 17:16-17+). (The MT and NU texts indicate that the Beast also turns on her ^[#16-#21]. See commentary on Revelation 17:16.) Although both the seven heads and the ten horns are said to be “kings,” there is an important distinction between the two. The seven heads span a long period of history whereas the ten horns are contemporaries at the time of the end:

While both the ten horns and seven heads are representative of kings, there is a difference between them. The ten horns are kings that are contemporary with each other. They all rise and reign at the same time. But the seven heads are chronological or sequential. One follows the other in chronological sequence, and no two are ever contemporary.¹

There is an intentional correlation between the horns of Daniel’s night vision and the feet and toes of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. Dan. 2:22-34, Dan. 2:41-42):

1. Both horns and toes are ten in number.
2. Both are outgrowths of the last Gentile kingdom (Dan. Dan. 2:41-42; Dan. 7:8; Rev. Rev. 17:12+).
3. Both are destroyed by the arrival of God’s kingdom on earth, the Millennial Kingdom (Dan. Dan. 2:34; Rev. Rev. 17:14+ cf. Rev. Rev. 16:14+).

See Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and Daniel’s Vision. See #4 - Seven Heads/Kings. See #25 - Little Horn. See Symbols of Kingdoms.

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Notes

¹ Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of Messiah, rev ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), 41-42.