Understanding the bible

[Minimalist]

does it have to play out exactly as written with all the seven-headed beast stuff?

Well, that's only because it survived a vote ( how fucking "inspired" huh?) to make it into the canon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Rev...al_history

According to Denzinger, Revelation was accepted into the canon at the Council of Carthage of 397 AD,[26] according to McDonald & Sanders it was added at the later 419 council.[27] Revelation's place in the canon was not guaranteed, however, with doubts raised as far back as the 2nd century about its character, symbolism, and apostolic authorship.

Otherwise, Stim, G-C would be assuring you with the same pompous certainty that whatever book was voted in place of that piece of garbage was equally true and "inspired."