John recalls the words of Revelation 17:13, where the ten kings unanimously handed over their authority and power to the beast so that, under the beast’s leadership, they would be dragged into a war with the Lamb, one they could not win. John now explains what prompted the ten kings to embark on this tragic course of action; he says it was God who planted in their hearts the foolish willingness to follow the beast. And God did so in order that they might be defeated. Their God-ordained overreach is their demise.
17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.