Keraia
Revelation 17

Revelation 17:8

The Mystery Explained · Revelation 17:6–13
Read Revelation 17

Translations

Modern
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.
Traditional
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Literal
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the Abyss and go into destruction; and those dwelling on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel, seeing the beast that was, and is not, and will be.
Latin
Bestia, quam vidisti, fuit, et non est, et ascensura est de abysso, et in interitum ibit: et mirabuntur inhabitantes terram (quorum non sunt scripta nomina in libro vitæ a constitutione mundi) videntes bestiam, quæ erat, et non est.

Original

Greek
English
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

Notes

Revelation 17:8

  • The beast … it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up: When Domitian was emperor, from AD 81 to 96, he was as evil as Nero. Both fiercely persecuted the church. Many believed Domitian embodied Nero’s spirit or was Nero himself. This is similar to how people thought John the Baptist embodied Elijah’s spirit (see Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; Luke 1:17; John 1:21).

  • you saw: The past tense shows the angel explained this after John’s vision.

  • it was, and now is no more: This contrasts with God, who is and was and is to come (Revelation 1:4, 8).

  • the Abyss: See study note on Revelation 9:1–12.

  • Unlike God’s people, the people of this world are not in the Book of Life (see Revelation 20:11–15). They will be amazed by the beast’s apparent resurrection (see study note on Revelation 17:10–11; see also 13:13–17).

Revelation 17:8–11

This vision's destruction contrasts with the future of God's people in the new heaven and earth (see Revelation 21:1–4).

Revelation 17:1–19:10

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Symbolic Numbers Visions

Glossary

Antichrist Apocalyptic Babylon as a Symbol Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Life Book of Revelation Bottomless Pit Horn Lucifer Mystery Perdition Place of the Dead Prostitute, Prostitution

Topics

Book of Life Buddhism Horn: Symbolical Lamb's Book of Life Pit: The Bottomless Pit The Apocalypse