Revelation 17:1-6 describes how one of the angels shows John the judgment of the great harlot, which is Babylon. She sits on a scarlet beast, clothed in luxury and power. The beast has seven heads and ten horns. The harlot is intoxicated from drinking the blood of slain Christians. She represents a coming world economy that is cruel and oppressive and murderous. Only the wealthy will benefit from her, and the small will be crushed underneath. 

Revelation 17:7-13 explains the mystery of the woman and the beast to John, which is that the seven heads and ten horns on the beast are sets of kings who have kingdoms or authority. And the purpose of these kings is to give their power to the beast. The beast is the antichrist, Satan’s puppet who will rule the earth in the end—times. He is like a seventh Caesar, more powerful than the emperors of old. The ten kings are ten future rulers who will submit to him and help bolster his Satanic autocracy over the earth.

Revelation 17:14-18 explains that these ten kings who serve the beast will wage great war against the Lamb, Jesus Christ. But it is emphasized that Jesus will be victorious, along with His faithful chosen servants. The ten horns of the beast/the ten kings, were once in partnership with the harlot, who represents Babylon and a world economy that exploits the weak and enriches the powerful. But the beast and his ten minion kings will turn against and destroy her. They will dominate and consume this economic system and seize ultimate power. God permits all these actions and works them to His purpose.