What does "the eighth king" symbolize in Revelation 17:11's prophetic context? Setting the Scene Revelation 17 unveils a scarlet beast carrying the woman called “Babylon the Great.” The beast has seven heads and ten horns—symbols with very real, future referents. John is told the seven heads are both seven mountains and seven kings (17:9-10). Verse 11 then introduces an additional, climactic figure: the eighth king. Revelation 17:11 in Focus “The beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king; he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction.” Identifying the Seven and the Eighth • Scripture traces a line of Gentile world empires that have ruled over God’s people: 1. Egypt 2. Assyria 3. Babylon 4. Medo-Persia 5. Greece 6. Rome (the empire existing in John’s day) 7. A future revived Roman-type confederation (symbolized by the ten horns, v. 12) • The beast (Antichrist) rises out of that seventh phase, yet becomes “an eighth.” – “He belongs to the seven” because he emerges from the same political-cultural stream. – He is “an eighth” because he seizes unrivaled authority, transforming the confederation into his personal empire (Revelation 13:3-8). Prophetic Profile of the Eighth King • Little horn of Daniel 7:8, 24-26—subdues three of the ten kings. • “Man of lawlessness” of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8—exalts himself above every god. • Breaks a seven-year covenant with Israel at mid-point (Daniel 9:27). • Rules 42 months (Revelation 13:5) with global worship enforced by the false prophet (13:11-15). • Wages war on the saints (Revelation 13:7) and persecutes Israel (12:13-17). Old Testament Echoes • Daniel 7:19-26—the fourth beast’s final horn destroyed by the coming of the Son of Man. • Daniel 11:36-45—the willful king who magnifies himself “above every god.” New Testament Parallels • Revelation 13:3-10—the same beast healed from a deadly wound, adored by the world. • 1 John 2:18—foreshadowing of “the Antichrist” who is still to come. • Revelation 19:19-20—his defeat and immediate casting into the lake of fire. Final Destiny of the Eighth King • Revelation 17:11—“is going to destruction.” • Revelation 19:20—“The beast was captured… and the two were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” The eighth king’s career is spectacular yet brief; his end is certain and immediate upon Christ’s return. Takeaways for Believers Today • God’s prophetic timetable is precise; every empire rises and falls under His sovereignty (Daniel 2:21). • Evil reaches its zenith in the Antichrist, but it is still under God’s leash and schedule (Revelation 17:17). • The Lord Jesus will personally overthrow the eighth king and inaugurate His millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6). • Knowing the final outcome fuels steadfast faith and holy living while we await “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). |
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