Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 17:8. It's a really complex passage, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “The beast that you saw was a symbol of something terrible – a powerful and corrupt leader who was about to cause great suffering. This beast is not the real beast; it's just a representation of a future, devastating event." Let’s unpack each part: 1. "The beast that thou sawest..." - This refers back to the imagery of the "beast" described in Revelation 12 – a massive creature with four legs and ten horns, representing evil and power. It's a powerful image of opposition to God. 2. "...was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit..." - This part uses a metaphor. "Bottomless pit" represents something dark, hidden, and filled with evil. The beast is still present, but it’s being pushed up from the depths to appear again. It's still a threat. 3. "...and go into perdition..." - “Perdition” means destruction or eternal punishment. So, this beast is destined for a very bad fate – annihilation. 4. "And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder..." - This is the crucial part. It’s saying that people on Earth (the nations and kingdoms) will be amazed and confused by what's happening. They won't understand it, because it's happening in a way we can't fully grasp. 5. "...whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world..." – This is where it gets really significant. “The book of life” refers to God’s record of who will be saved and will live eternally with Him. This beast is not part of this plan. It's a future event that doesn’t fit into the established order of salvation. 6. "...when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." – This is the most confusing part. “Behold” means "look at" or "see." The verse says that when people look at this beast, they will see it exactly as it was in the beginning – a terrifying, powerful being. But then, at the same time , the beast is also still present, existing and continuing to cause problems. It’s a paradox - something that’s already happened and continues to exist. Overall Meaning: The verse warns us about the impending return of a powerful, corrupt leader who will bring widespread destruction. It's not just about a single event; it’s about a gradual decline into darkness and chaos that will affect all of humanity. It’s a call for vigilance and to understand the signs of evil before it consumes everything. Important Note: This is a complex passage, and there are many different interpretations among theologians and biblical scholars. This explanation offers a general understanding of its core meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Provide context about the historical setting of Revelation 17? Discuss potential interpretations of the verse?