The full number (“seven”) of those who would rule in the course of history has not (as the angel speaks) come to completeness; there was presently a sixth king adulterating himself with the great prostitute. That is no surprise, for he is one of the heads of the beast. Again, the point is not to try to attach a name to this sixth king. The point is instead that the row of kings passes before John’s eyes, many (“five”) already in the past, one in the present, and more in the future. Invariably, though, the present king has also “fallen” for the woman’s seductions, and it will also cost him his life (see Proverbs 7:22–23).
10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.