A theological analysis of the three methods of interpretation of the seven heads of Revelation 17:9C-11 and their eschatological significance to the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of the last days events

Abstract

Interpretation of the seven heads/kings of the leopard-like beast of Rev. 17:9c- 11 has in the recent past attracted theological arguments that have left scholars divided into three groups. The first group of scholars, following a literal method of interpretation, interprets the seven heads as seven individual Roman Emperors of the first Christian era. The second group interprets the seven heads as representatives of forms of the Roman administrations from its inception in and around 753 B. C., to the present. Then, the third group of scholars, following a figurative method of interpretation, believes that the seven heads are symbolical heads, representing seven successive world Empires or kingdoms throughout prophetic history. The differences in opinion on the interpretation of the seven heads have led to various contradictory views and conclusions which necessitated this analysis.The need to understand the seven heads/kings of the leopard-like beast is threefold. Firstly, a clear understanding of the seven heads is essential for having a correct understanding of Rev. 17 and the whole book. Secondly, a clear understanding of the seven heads reveals how the evil one has been using the heads in his fight against the God of heaven and His children from the time He instituted the church, starting with Israel. Thirdly, it provides a chronological view of all eschatological events that show the time which the present age lives in. Having carried out this theological analysis of the three main models of interpretation, this researcher is of the view that the seven heads/kings of the leopard like beast are symbolic heads which stand for seven successive world kingdoms or Empires. These seven world kingdoms are; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the medieval ecclesiastical church or the papacy. The eighth, which is of the seventh, is the appearance of the whole beast, who is Satan himself.