The 4th Head of the Rev 17 Beast

Suggested Previous Reading:  Mountains, Heads, 1st Head (Nimrod's Empire), 2nd Head (Assyrian Empire), and 3rd Head (Babylonian Empire)

Revelation 17 tells of a series of empires, five of which are past, one that is current to the first century church, and one that is to come yet in the future of the first century.

Revelation 17:9-10

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.

Nimrod's is the first kingdom to be mentioned in the Bible.  Of the cities built by Nimrod or those who came out of his kingdom, the Assyrian Empire is the first to be mentioned.  The Babylonian Empire defeated the Assyrians around 612 bc and was brought to an end by the Persian Empire around 538 bc.

The Persian Empire  under Cyrus the Great originated from the present-day region of Fars.  It was Cyrus that made the proclamation that allowed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

As the map below shows, the area of Nimrod's kingdom is wholly contained within the borders of the Persian Empire as would be expected of a head of the same beast.

Next in this series: The 5th Head of the Rev 17 Beast