This calls for a mind with wisdom: see 13.18. The translation can say “This requires a wise thinker,” “… wise thinking,” or “… a person with great insight.”

The seven heads are seven mountains: throughout this explanation the verb “to be” is used, as in “heads are mountains” and so forth. In some languages it will be better to say “represent,” “stand for,” or “symbolize.”

Seven mountains on which the woman is seated: this is a clear reference to the city of Rome. It is to be noticed that the same verb “be seated on” is used in verses 1 and 3. In certain languages that, like English, distinguish between hills and mountains, translators should pick a term for “hills” that refers to a usually rounded natural elevation of land that is lower than a mountain. The hills referred to are generally lower than 1000 feet.

Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation differ on where verse 10 begins. Revised Standard Version follows the verse division of King James Version and American Standard Version; Good News Bible follows the UBS Greek New Testament. New Revised Standard Version is now like Good News Bible.

They are also seven kings: the fuller statement may be preferable: “the heads also represent seven kings.” It is generally agreed that these seven kings were kings, or emperors, of Rome who succeeded one another; they are not kings of seven different countries. For the translation of kings see 1.5 and elsewhere.

Five of them have fallen: the verb “to fall” here does not necessarily mean that they were killed or deposed, but simply that they died, they no longer live. The verb (in Hebrew) is used of Abner in 2 Sam 3.38. So the translation can say “five of them have already died.”

One is: this means “one of them is now king.”

The other has not yet come: this one is the last of the seven, so the translation can say “the last one is yet to appear.”

When he comes he must remain only a little while: the emphasis is on the short length of his reign: “when he appears, he will be king for a little while only.” As often in the New Testament, and in this book in particular, the verb translated “must” indicates God’s control of human affairs (see 1.1). In that case one may say “he will be allowed to be king (or, high chief) for a little while only” or “God will let him rule for only a little while.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .