The Study of Revelation, Part 9

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Revelation Chapter 12

Verse 3 continued “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.”

The great red dragon represents the Pagan Roman Empire…” “Rev 17:9 states, “The seven heads are seven mountains [or kingdoms].”

Therefore, the seven heads, whether upon the dragon or the beast, are Rome’s seven prophetic, successive, distinct forms of government.

The ten horns represent Rome’s divisions of power in Europe…” “These being mentioned are to identify it (Rome) as the same beast or government described by Daniel and elsewhere in Revelation.”

“Just as seven phases of experience were prophesied to occur in the development of the gospel Church, so too seven heads or successive forms of government were to pass upon Rome. In some cases, a head or form lasted for centuries, although different individuals occupied the office of ruler.

The crown (diadem) is a symbol of vested power or authority.

In this chapter the “seven crowns” (as opposed to those seen on the beast in Chapter 13) are seen on the seven heads, NOT upon the horns, which signifies that the divisions of power are under the guidance and control of the head. The time indicated is that period when Imperial Rome ruled over its provinces with authority, appointing subordinate leaders or generals to enforce its edicts. The time setting of Verse 3 is during Rome’s first head or form of government (during the Gospel Age).”

The symbols themselves establish the time for the beginning of the fulfillment of this vision of Chapter 12 as that of Pagan Rome, particularly the reign of Diocletian. He, according to all historians, is the one who ruled the Roman Empire during the last great persecution of the Church by Pagan Rome. This persecution began in 303 A.D. and continued until 313 A.D., the symbolic “ten days” spoken of by our Lord in (Rev 2:10).” “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, Page 330

As for the “seven heads” as we have stated these represent seven distinctive forms of government or seven distinct changes of government which Pagan Rome underwent under its “crowned” emperors and or Cesar’s. One brother suggested the following,

1) Diocietian, 2) Maximian, 3) Severus, 4) Galerius, 5) Maxentius, 6) Maximin, 7) Constantine

Another suggestion is as follows,

1) Diocietian, 2) Maximian, 3) Galerius 4) Constantius 5) Severus 6) Maximin 7) Constantine

Regardless as to the who and in what précised order they followed the most important point to understand is that these seven heads pertain only to Pagan Rome
, to “The Red Dragon” (Chapter 12), and are not to be confused in any way with the seven heads mentioned in regards toThe Leopard BeastCivil Rome, (Chapter 13) and/orThe Scarlet BeastEcclesiastical Rome, (Chapter 17).

As for the “ten horns” or supporting powers these at first constituted the various European nations which were subservient to Rome at the time. As history records some of these kingdoms would fall and new ones would take their place, but we believe that the number “ten” as used here relates not so much to its literal significance but to its symbolic meaning. The numbertenas used in the Scriptures designates completeness in whatever it may pertain to, thus we believe that although (in the prophecy) they are still called “ten hornsthis in no way limits their number literally to ten, nor strictly to the European nations, in the beginning yes but no longer.

Having we believe established the identity of the great fiery red dragon we will with our next post move on to Verse 4
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