Matthew Poole Commentary - Revelation 17:10 - 17:10

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Matthew Poole Commentary - Revelation 17:10 - 17:10


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And there are seven kings; the seven heads do not only signify seven hills or mountains, but also seven kings, that is, (according to the best interpretation I meet with), seven forms of government which ruled Rome; the term kings, it Scripture, signifying rulers, whether the government was in single persons, or more, as Deu_33:5. Rome was governed:



1. By kings.



2. By consuls.



3. Tribunes.



4. Decemvirs.



5. Dictators.



6. Emperors that were pagans.



7. Emperors that were Christians.



Five are fallen; five of these were fallen, extinguishied before John’s time, viz. the government by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemvirs, dictators.



And one is; the government by pagan emperors was at that time in being.



And the other is not yet come; the government by Christian emperors was not yet in being.



And when he cometh, he must continue a short space; and when it came, it held but a little time before the bishops of Rome wrested the government of Italy out of their hands. This to me seemeth the most probable interpretation of this difficult text.