ACC ~ Revelation 17 v12

THE REIGN OF THE TEN KINGS. OECUMENIUS: The all-wise prophet, Daniel, remarked concerning these ten kings or horns that they would arise in the last times out of the Roman rule. And the antichrist will rise up in the middle of them. And for this reason it says that “they have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings.” It rightly says “as kings” because of the rapid demise and fleeting nature of their reign. Then it continues, “they receive it for one hour, together with the beast.” Here it calls the antichrist “beast” as it had also in earlier passages, saying, “I saw another beast coming up from the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb.” That they rule for one hour signifies either the short duration of their rule, or it is a figure of speech indicating by one hour one year. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.9-14.

THE ARROGANCE OF EARTHLY KINGDOMS. PRIMASIUS: He is speaking again of every kingdom of the world, which just above he indicated in the kings and their subjects.”The kings receive power with the beast for one hour.” Here the hour is to be interpreted as referring to the time from the passion of the Lord, as the apostolic voice says, “It is the last hour.” Therefore, until all the future is fulfilled, it says that they have not yet received the kingdom. For although they indeed now rule over many, yet the insane power of that arrogance will be more intense when it also deceives many by signs. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.12.

THE KINGS WILL SUBMIT TO THE ANTICHRIST. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Daniel also saw these ten horns that precede the antichrist. After rooting out three of them, the accursed one will subdue the others. The “one hour” indicates either the brevity of time or the one hour of the year, or by way of figure of speech, clearly meaning a three-month period, after which they will submit themselves to the antichrist as to their leader. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.12.

THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH. BEDE: In persecuting the church, the kingdoms of the world have not yet fully demonstrated their power. For although now they indeed rule over most, nevertheless the power of their insane boasting will be the more acute when they will deceive most through signs. Some interpret this to mean that when the last persecution draws near, there will be ten kings who divide the world among themselves, according to the prophecy of Daniel, who said concerning the fourth beast: “It had ten horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up.” [These interpreters further say] that the antichrist would arise from Babylon and would overcome the kings of Egypt, Africa and Ethiopia, and that when these had been killed, seven other kings would submit their necks to the conqueror. However, others say that the antichrist is placed as the number eleven, as an indication of his collusion. For they think that eleven is a departure from the number ten, which is perfect. [They receive power] “as kings,” for those who oppose the kingdom of Christ rule as though in a dream. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 17.12.

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