What is the meaning of Revelation 17:8? The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more John is reminded of a beast that formerly operated in full power but has, for a time, disappeared from the stage of history. • Revelation 13:1 shows the same beast “coming up out of the sea,” identifying it with a revived world-empire that once actively oppressed God’s people. • Daniel 7:23-24 speaks of a fourth kingdom “different from all the others,” already existing in the prophet’s day yet destined to fade and later reappear. • History’s ebb and flow of evil empires pictures this reality: satanic power has been present (“it was”), is currently restrained (“now is no more,” cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7), and awaits a final resurgence. but is about to come up out of the Abyss The Abyss is the abode of demonic forces (Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1-3). • Revelation 11:7 notes that “the beast that comes up out of the Abyss” will slaughter the two witnesses, linking the same monster here. • This end-time revival is supernatural, energized directly by Satan (Revelation 13:2), signaling his last, desperate assault before Christ’s return. • The wording “about to” underscores God’s sovereign timing; evil can emerge only when the Lord permits (Job 1:12). and go to its destruction The beast’s destiny is sealed. • Revelation 19:20 records the final act: “The beast was captured… and thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” • Daniel 7:26 foretold that the destructive kingdom will have its dominion “taken away and destroyed forever.” • Evil’s brief resurgence therefore serves God’s larger purpose of publicly defeating Satan, vindicating His justice (Revelation 20:10). And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world A clear division exists between believers and unbelievers. • Revelation 13:8 says all earth-dwellers will worship the beast “whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb.” • Ephesians 1:4 affirms that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,” highlighting eternal security for the redeemed. • The phrase “earth-dwellers” consistently describes people rooted in this world’s system, contrasted with saints whose citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be The unbelieving world will be awestruck by the beast’s apparent resurrection. • Revelation 13:3 notes, “The whole earth marveled and followed the beast” after one of its heads seemed fatally wounded yet healed. • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 explains that the lawless one will appear “with all power, false signs, and wonders, and with every wicked deception,” a judgment on those who “refused to love the truth.” • The repetition “was, and is not, and yet will be” parodies God’s title “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8), exposing Satan’s counterfeit attempt to claim divine glory. summary Revelation 17:8 unveils a future revival of a once-dominant, satanically empowered empire. Temporarily restrained, the beast will resurface from the Abyss, astonish an unbelieving world, and lead the final rebellion against God. Yet its doom is fixed; Christ will cast it into eternal destruction. Believers, secured in the Book of Life from eternity past, need not fear. Instead, they can stand firm, knowing that every counterfeit kingdom inevitably falls before the true King of kings. |
    |