And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
All Commentaries on Revelation 17:12 Go To Revelation 17
Bede
AD 735
horns: The kingdoms of the world have not yet fully displayed their power in persecuting the Church. For although these even now have rule over the greatest part, yet there will be the stronger power of insane boasting when they have also deceived such by signs. Some understand it, that when the last persecution draws near, there will be ten kings who are to divide the world between them; according to the prophecy of Daniel also, who said of the fourth beast, "And he had ten horns; and behold another little horn came up from the midst of them, and three of the first horns were plucked up before his face;" and that Antichrist who should arise from Babylon, should subdue the king of Egypt, and of Africa, and that after they were slain, seven other kings should also submit their necks to the conqueror. But others say that Antichrist is placed in the number eleven, to signify prevarication. For eleven indicates a departure from the perfection of the number ten.
