Revelation 17:8
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This verse reveals a fascinating play on existence itself. The "beast" isn't just powerful; its very being is cyclical – it was, then it is not, signifying a period of apparent defeat or non-existence, but critically, it will be again, rising with terrifying renewed strength. This cyclical nature, rather than mere continuous power, is what will utterly captivate those whose names aren't etched in the Book of Life.
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel is explaining to John the vision of the great prostitute and the beast she rides. This beast, representing a powerful, oppressive empire, has a cyclical nature: it once existed in a prominent form, then seemed to vanish, but is destined to re-emerge with terrifying power from a hellish abyss, bringing ultimate destruction to itself and baffling those who aren't devoted to God.
The beast appears and disappears, but is it truly gone? This verse reveals a cyclical nature to this formidable power.
The phrase "was, and is not, and is to come" is a powerful descriptor of the beast's recurring nature.
Why would people marvel at a destructive force? This verse explains the deceptive allure of the beast.
The reaction of those on earth to the beast's reappearance is one of profound wonder and astonishment. This isn't necessarily a positive marveling; rather, it's a stunned awe at its power and seemingly impossible revival.
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Despite its power and the world's awe, the beast's story has one guaranteed ending.
The ultimate destiny of the beast is destruction. The verse explicitly states it "shall go to perdition." This is not a possibility, but a certainty.
Understand the original words
abyssos · Greek Noun
Also known as the Abyss; it refers to the chaotic, dark place of confinement for demonic forces. It signifies a place separated from God's light and order.
biblos zōēs · Greek Noun phrase
The register containing the names of those who have been redeemed by God and are granted eternal life. Being written in it is the prerequisite for participating in the kingdom of God.
katabolē · Greek Noun
Refers to the inception of the world or the cosmic order. It signifies the point in time when God began His creative activity, indicating His sovereign foreknowledge and plan.
This verse speaks of a beastly power that 'was, and is not, and is to come.' This cyclical nature reflects historical Roman imperial power, particularly in its shifts between pagan persecution (was), periods of apparent decline or change (is not, like after Nero's death or the empire's Christianization), and a future resurgence (is to come), often interpreted as a final, demonic manifestation.
c. 30 BC - AD 14
Augustan Age and Pax Romana
Rome, under Augustus and his successors, consolidated its power, establishing a vast empire and a period of relative peace and prosperity. This era saw the empire reach its peak in influence and territorial control.
c. AD 60-64— this verse
Nero's Reign and Persecution
Emperor Nero's reign was marked by increasing tyranny and paranoia. His persecution of Christians following the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64 made him a figure of immense fear and hatred, and a symbol of imperial cruelty.
AD 68
Nero's Death and Suicidal Cult
Nero died by suicide, but his death was followed by rumors of his survival and anticipated return, fueling a 'Nero redivivus' (Nero reborn) cult among some.
c. AD 95
Domitian's Reign and Emperor Worship
Emperor Domitian demanded to be addressed as 'Dominus et Deus' (Lord and God), intensifying imperial cult practices and placing further pressure on those who refused to worship the emperor.
c. AD 313
Edict of Milan and Christianity's Rise
The Edict of Milan granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, effectively ending the official persecution of Christians and allowing Christianity to grow in influence.
c. AD 476
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
The deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor marked the symbolic end of the Western Roman Empire, leading to fragmentation and new political powers in Europe.
c. AD 600 onwards
Rise of the Papacy and Antichristian Power
Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) gradually accumulated significant temporal and spiritual authority, leading to interpretations of this power as a new form of the 'beast' described in Revelation.
This passage describes a terrifying fourth beast with ten horns, echoing the description of the beast in Revelation and highlighting its formidable, multi-faceted power that stands in opposition to God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4This passage speaks of 'the man of lawlessness' who will oppose God and exalt himself, mirroring the beast's destructive nature and its ultimate end in destruction, contrasting with God's eternal reign.
Isaiah 14:12-15The description of Lucifer's fall from heaven, 'how you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!... You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high”', parallels the beast's arrogant ascent and destined fall from power.
Revelation 13:1-5This passage describes the beast rising from the sea and being given authority for a period, directly relating to the beast in Revelation 17, detailing its blasphemous nature and the awe it inspires in the world.
Psalm 37:35-36The psalmist's observation of the wicked flourishing for a time and then disappearing, 'I saw a wicked, ruthless man, thriving like a verdant native tree, but he passed away, and behold, he was no more; I sought for him, but he could not be found,' directly aligns with the beast's cycle of existence: 'was, and is not, and is to come.'
barnesRevelation 17:8: "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."
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not - In the close of the verse it is added, "and yet is" - "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." There are three things affirmed h…
clarkeRevelation 17:8: "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."
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition - The beast is the Latin kingdom; (Ἡ Λατινη βασιλεια); consequently…
This verse reveals a fascinating play on existence itself. The "beast" isn't just powerful; its very being is cyclical – it was, then it is not, signifying a period of apparent defeat or non-existence, but critically, it will be again, rising with terrifying renewed strength. This cyclical nature, rather than mere continuous power, is what will utterly captivate those whose names aren't etched in the Book of Life.
The angel is explaining to John the vision of the great prostitute and the beast she rides. This beast, representing a powerful, oppressive empire, has a cyclical nature: it once existed in a prominent form, then seemed to vanish, but is destined to re-emerge with terrifying power from a hellish abyss, bringing ultimate destruction to itself and baffling those who aren't devoted to God.
The angel is explaining to John the vision of the great prostitute and the beast she rides. This beast, representing a powerful, oppressive empire, has a cyclical nature: it once existed in a prominent form, then seemed to vanish, but is destined to re-emerge with terrifying power from a hellish abyss, bringing ultimate destruction to itself and baffling those who aren't devoted to God.
"The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see…" — This verse reveals a fascinating play on existence itself. The "beast" isn't just powerful; its very being is cyclical – it was, then it is not, signifying a period of apparent defeat or non-exis…
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Last reviewed October 2026
