What does a head represent in Bible prophecy?

We see heads as symbols primarily in Revelation 12,13, and 17 which reveals a beast with seven heads and ten horns. Now, here is where it may become confusing. Revelation 17:8-9 infers that these seven heads are seven kings!

“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.”

Now the question is—How can the horns be kings and the heads also be kings? Here, you must understand that horns, heads, and beasts are somewhat interchangeable. The reason for this is that a king was central to his kingdom and thus the king could be represented by any three of these symbols. However, I believe Ellen White helps us understand how we should define the meaning of a head in Bible prophecy.

Remember, John the Revelator saw “…one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” (Revelation 13:3). Now, as a student of Bible prophecy, you should know that this symbol represents the Papacy. However, is it the Pope? Is it the Church? What actually received this mortal wound in 1798?

Watch what Ellen White says:

At that time a French army entered Rome, and made the pope a prisoner, and he died in exile. Though a new pope was soon afterward elected, the papal hierarchy has never since been able to wield the power which it before possessed. 1888GC p. 266.

She says the head represented the Papal hierarchy! Now the question is…what is a hierarchy.

According to the dictionary, a hierarchy is a ruling body of clergy organized into order or ranks each subordinate to the one above it.

We understand that a king can’t run a whole country by himself, so a hierarchy of power is vital to his success. The same is true of the Pope, which is why the church employed bishops, priests, and officials who also exercised religious and civil authority.

Now, it’s starting to become clear. The Papacy was a combination of Church and State. The State was subordinate to the Church and thus the Church hierarchy was essentially the officials who were acting as government rulers. So in 1798, the Papacy’s civil power ended and the Church’s “government” (or what Ellen White called hierarchy) received a deadly wound. However, the historical record shows that the religious side of the Church continued to exercise authority.

Understanding this concept, we can see that a head in Bible prophecy represents a nation’s government.