Beth-El Baptist Church

11/04/2012

Greg Tomlinson


What does it mean that “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” in Revelation 17:8?


The identity of the beast and its meaning and applicability can be challenging. It does have some parallels in other scriptures that may sound familiar.


  1. What are some of these parallels?

Revelation 1:7-8; 4:8 Revelation 1:17-18


The parallels, also in the book of Revelation, are used to represent the person of Jesus Christ. The meaning of the parallels can help to understand the original quote in question. The first parallel points out that it is God who is being addressed. As a contrast to the 'beast' of Revelation 17: 1) '[God] is' vs the 'beast was' indicating that God exists in the present in contrast to the beast whose existence has a time limit. 2) '[God] was' vs the 'beast is not' indicating that God proceeds into the eternal past in contrast to the beasts inability to continually exist. 3) '[God] is to come' vs the '[beast] yet is' indicating that God is to come and dwell amongst his people in contrast to the beast already present with the same group of people. This parallel indicates the proper and eternal existence and reigning authority of God in contrast to the temporal and ending reign of the 'beast'.


The second parallel (Revelation 1:17-18) is specifically speaking about Jesus Christ. 1) 'he that liveth' vs 'the beast was' indicating present existence vs temporal past 2) 'was dead' vs 'is not' indicating some form of ending of there presence. 3) 'alive for evermore' vs 'yet is' indicating some sort continuing existence.


The parallel passages attempt to point out that God's eternal existence is real but the beast attempts to pass himself off as being eternal. The beast tries to present himself as though he were 'God' (Isaiah 14:12-15).


  1. What is the greater context of Revelation 17:8?

Revelation 17:1-2 – Identify the actions of the great whore – fornicates with every kingdom

Revelation 17:3-5 – Describes the great whore – blasphemous, great wealth

Revelation 17:6 – Relationship between the great whore and Christians – kills them

Revelation 17:7 – Angel's promise to explain

Revelation 17:8 – Description of the beast – from the abyss into perdition. An unbeliever's “Christ”.

Revelation 17:9-13 – Describes the location of the great whore and the leadership of the location

Revelation 17:14 – Christ overcoming the unbelievers and their “Christ”

Revelation 17:15-18 – Describes the battle between the great whore and the kings of the earth


Many people explain Revelation 17 in such a way that the Roman Catholic Pope IS the great whore. They draw many parallels – surrounded by 7 mountains, but there is also a city in Norway that is identified as being surrounded by 7 mountains. With regards to the pope, the colors and jewelery of the great whore are identified as being the same colors and classes of jewelery of the Roman Catholic Pope. These same people identify the Roman Catholic Pope as being a great deceiver, speaking blasphemy about God (salvation via the church through works rather than via Christ through faith). Also note that verse 18 states that the woman is “that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth”, this means that the city that is sitting on seven hills, is the primary ruling city over the known world at the time. At that time, much of the world was ruled by Rome. The history of the European continent is filled with bloody battles taking place between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church. From a Protestant perspective, the parallels may be compelling but we must stick to what the text actually says and what it does NOT say.


What we do know is that the great whore “committed fornication” with the “kings of the earth” and made the “inhabitants of the earth” “drunk with the wine of here fornication”. This clearly points to the world wide power and control of the great whore through idolatrous worship (fornication is used to describe idolatry). The great whore then represents idolatrous religious expression. The great whore is also at ware with Christ and Christians so it is ultimately a satanic religion. Since the great whore sits on the beast, the beast forms the foundation and strength of the great whore. The beast is personified as it not only ascends out of the bottomless bit (abyss) but it also goes into perdition (destruction). The beast then is none other than Satan himself (Revelation 12:7-9; 20:1-3,10).


The context then is that of idolatrous worship. Satan was worshiped, is not worshiped, and yet is worshiped.


  1. In what way can it be said that the beast 'was'?

Genesis 3:1-5 John 8:44-45

Romans 5:12-14


Satan (the beast) deceived the entire world in the Garden of Eden and as a result, Adam passed on the ways of Satan to his offspring. The entire world has effectively worshiped Satan until Christ.


  1. In what way can it be said that the beast 'is not'?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Romans 6:3-9

Revelation 12:10-11


Satan no longer has exclusive rights to the eternal worship of all people. Christ came to pay the penalty of sins so that those who believe are empowered by the Spirit of God to turn from their own sins and follow after Christ. That is why the text speaks of the beast being at war with the saints.


  1. In what way can it be said that the beast 'yet is'?

Ephesians 2:1-3 Romans 12:1-2

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 1 John 2:15-17

Revelation 19:19-20; 20:10-15


Satan is considered to be the god of this world in that his ways are followed by most of the people of the earth and the people reject Jesus Christ of the Gospels. Even into eternity, the unbelieving world will continue to worship Satan but they and he will dwell in the eternal lake of fire which does not actually consume what it burns.