What does Revelation 17:8 mean?
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. Revelation 17:8
Explanation
Revelation 17:8 presents a vision from the Apostle John concerning a beast. The verse suggests a level of mystery and paradox about the beast: it “was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition.” The reference to the beast that “was, and is not” implies an existence that has been interrupted or is non-continuous. The “bottomless pit” is often synonymous with chaos or the abode of evil entities. Perdition refers to utter destruction or damnation, indicating the beast’s final destiny. The phrase “they that dwell on the earth shall wonder” may allude to a sense of awe or bewilderment among the people who witness the beast. This awe is particularly noted among those “whose names were not written in the book of life,” hinting at the concept of predestination and the divine omniscience regarding who will be saved. The final phrase “when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” deepens the mystery, playing on the idea of the beast’s seemingly contradictory existence.
Historical Context
Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is generally believed to have been written towards the end of the first century AD, during a time of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The language is apocalyptic, a genre common to Jewish and early Christian literature that uses symbolic and allegorical imagery to convey messages about the end times and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Within this context, the “beast” often represents opposition to God’s kingdom, and some scholars suggest it may symbolically refer to the corrupt power of the Roman Empire or its emperors, who demanded worship and persecuted Christians.
Theological Insights
Different theological viewpoints interpret the “beast” in Revelation as representing various forms of evil or opposition to God’s rule throughout history. Preterists believe that the prophecy referred to events that were current or near in time to those John was addressing. Thus, the preterist view would interpret the beast as a symbol of the Roman Empire. Futurists, on the other hand, consider this verse as a prophecy of events yet to come, potentially a leader or system that will arise in the end times, deceive many, and oppose Christ. Some idealist or symbolic interpretations consider the beast as a timeless symbol of evil that arises in various forms throughout history.
Practical Applications
The practical applications of Revelation 17:8 could focus on the necessity of discernment and spiritual vigilance. Believers are called to be wary of deceptive powers and ideologies that oppose divine truth. There is also an implied encouragement to ensure one’s life aligns with God’s will, to be recorded in the “book of life.” This verse might motivate individuals to reflect on the transient nature of earthly powers and their ultimate subservience to divine authority and judgment.
Cross-References
- Revelation 13:1- “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
- Revelation 20:15- “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
- Revelation 13:8- “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3- “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
Language Study
The key terms in the original Greek text of Revelation 17:8 provide deeper insight:
- “Beast” (θηρίον, therion): Often used in apocalyptic literature to represent a powerful, wild, and dangerous entity, frequently a tyrannical ruler or empire.
- “Bottomless pit” (ἄβυσσος, abyssos): Literally “abyss,” denoting a deep, immeasurable space, often associated with the dwelling place of demons or evil forces.
- “Perdition” (ἀπώλεια, apoleia): Means destruction, ruin, or loss, often with eternal implications.
- “Wonder” (θαυμάζω, thaumazo): To marvel or to be amazed, which can carry connotations of admiration or fear.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In terms of cultural and religious comparisons, the imagery of a beast arising from an abyss is reminiscent of various myths and religious texts where monsters emerge from the underworld or from a chaotic primordial state. For example, in ancient Mesopotamian myths, creatures like Tiamat represent chaos and are defeated by gods symbolizing order. In Greek mythology, the story of the Hydra, a multi-headed beast from the underworld, shares parallels with the apocalyptic beasts of Revelation.
Scientific Perspectives
Modern science doesn’t provide direct interpretations of symbolic and theological concepts like the “beast,” “book of life,” or “bottomless pit.” However, cognitive science and psychology could help explain why apocalyptic literature has a strong impact on human thinking and emotion, addressing the universal human curiosity about the end of the world and the nature of evil.
commentaries
Various biblical scholars and commentators have offered different perspectives on Revelation 17:8:
- Historicists see the beast as specific historic regimes or empires that opposed God’s people, often identifying the Roman Empire or later political states as manifestations of the beast.
- Futurists like Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye have interpreted the verse as pointing to future events, including the rise of an Antichrist figure or a world system opposing God in the end times.
- Preterists argue that John was referring to events that his contemporaries would recognize, such as the Roman emperors Nero or Domitian, both notorious for their persecution of Christians.
- Idealists, like theologians William Hendriksen and Gregory Beale, view the symbols in Revelation as depicting the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout the church age, without tying them to specific historical events.
- Amillennialists, such as R.C. Sproul, understand much of the imagery symbolically, with the beast’s defeat representing Christ’s ultimate victory over all forms of evil.