Manly Luscombe Commentary on NT

Revelation 17:9

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

A. Wisdom is needed here. Seek to understand these things.

B. The seven heads are mountains. Some see this as a clear reference to Rome, a city that sits on seven hills. These seek to make the mountains literal. This view does not consider that one of the heads died and was revived. None of the hills on which Rome was built has died and been revived.

C. Others see this as the Coffman view above. The mountains represent major world kingdoms, like Egypt, Greece and Rome.

D. Still others see the seven heads as seven individual rulers. If this were true, then one of the rulers would have to die and be reincarnated.

E. It is unmistakable to me that the mountains are emblematic of kingdoms. My view, expressed in the previous verse is consistent with the rest of the book, especially the parallel statements in chapter 13.

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Manly Luscombe Commentary on NT

Revelation 17:9

Old Testament

New Testament