Does the dragon also known as the beast in the Holy Bible get three heads cut off or chopped of leaving ithe dragon with only seven heads?

Answer 1

The symbolic language of Revelation 13 and 17 speaks of a 7 headed beast that has 10 horns. It is 3 of these horns that you may be referring to. Historically, Philip Myers, "Ancient History" on page 571 called this period the 'transition age.' This was a period of 135 years where 3 successive 'horns' or barbarian followers of Arianism ruled Rome until their destruction on papal authority.

The 'deadly wound' or fall of Rome happened in 476 AD. The three rulers were The King of the Vandals (429-533 AD), The Heruli under Odoacer, 476-493 AD, and King of the Ostrogoths, 493-554 AD when the Imperial Restoration of the West occurred under Justinian in 554 AD. This begins the 7 heads of the beast times with Emperor Justinian the first head.

Answer:No. The ten horns are 10 kings who have not yet received their kingdom (Rev. 17:12). In Daniel 7:8, 24 we learn that the Antichrist will "uproot" three of the original kings and replace them. Perhaps the original three were unwilling to yield their power and wealth to him, for John tells us that the resultant 10 kings have one mind and give all their power (wealth) and authority to the beast. We are also told that God put it in their (the kings) hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule until God's words are fulfilled (Rev. 17:17). What is important to remember is the context and genre of Revelation. John was writing to a first century audience using fantasy imagery in his apocalyptic passages. What is distinct about John's fantasy images is that they do not correspond to anything in the real world; enormous red dragons with seven heads and ten horns; locusts with human faces, woman's hairs, and lion's teeth; and a beast that resembles a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. While these fantasy images are unreal, they do provide a realistic means by which to ponder reality. The apostle John does not want us to believe that dragons are real. Instead, he wants us to understand the reality of the devil's cunning wisdom (seven heads), great power (ten horns), and authority to influence others (seven diadems).

Additional Comment:

The Book of Daniel is the key to unlock the mysterious/symbolic composite beast of Revelation - start in Daniel 7 for the lion, bear, leopard and the huge and different beast with horns. Fits perfectly in history and future prophecy.

The 7 heads have been determined by some biblical scholars to be 7 revivals of the Holy Roman Empire beginning with Justinian in 554 A.D., then Charlemagne in 800 A.D., etc. Six have completed there historic roles and only one is left. Horns represent kings and the three uprooted are noted in the first answer.

See attached link for a complete picture for your reading pleasure.