Regarding the heads as kings, Revelation 17, Revelation 12, Revelation 13 cover three distinct periods.
Revelation 17 at the time of John, 1st century
Revelation 12 is the final 7 years before Jesus returns
Revelation 13 is the final 42 months before Jesus returns.
The seven heads do not have crowns on them in Revelation 17, 1st century, at the time of John, because the prophecy of the seven kings is incomplete at that time. King 7 was still future of John's time.
10 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. (a short space of 42 months)
The seven heads do have crowns on them in Revelation 12, at the start of the 7 years before Jesus's return. Because King 7 will have come to power, completing the prophecy of the 7 kings.
The seven heads again do not have crowns on them in Revelation 13, with 42 months before Jesus's return. Because King 7 will have been killed, ending the prophecy of the 7 kings.
King 7 then comes back to life to become King 8, the beast (the beast king of Revelation 17:11). The beast king will be empowered by Satan, the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17:3. Read Revelation 13:4.
Revelation 17 at the time of John, 1st century
Revelation 12 is the final 7 years before Jesus returns
Revelation 13 is the final 42 months before Jesus returns.
The seven heads do not have crowns on them in Revelation 17, 1st century, at the time of John, because the prophecy of the seven kings is incomplete at that time. King 7 was still future of John's time.
10 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. (a short space of 42 months)
The seven heads do have crowns on them in Revelation 12, at the start of the 7 years before Jesus's return. Because King 7 will have come to power, completing the prophecy of the 7 kings.
The seven heads again do not have crowns on them in Revelation 13, with 42 months before Jesus's return. Because King 7 will have been killed, ending the prophecy of the 7 kings.
King 7 then comes back to life to become King 8, the beast (the beast king of Revelation 17:11). The beast king will be empowered by Satan, the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17:3. Read Revelation 13:4.
