For a short time (“for one hour”), these ten kings will be given authority by God “to wage war against the Lamb.” But their final doom is certain. In other words, the beast from the sea is the Antichrist, who will stand against Christ and try to usurp his authority and power (see excursus below). Only Christ is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16; note his “many diadems” in 19:12). The beast also has ὀνόμα βλασφημίας (onoma blasphēmias, a name of blasphemy) written on each of the heads.