Revelation 17:8

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

The beast you saw once existed, but now does not, and [yet] is about to come up out of the pit and go to [his] destruction. And those people living on the earth, whose names have not been recorded in the book of life from the creation of the world, will be amazed when they see the beast, because he had once existed, but now does not, and yet will come [again].

Cross References

Revelation 17:11

And the beast that once existed, but now does not, is actually the eighth one [i.e., head/hill/king. See verse 9], and yet he belongs to the seven; and he will go to his destruction.

Revelation 11:7

And when they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the pit [See 13:1ff; 17:3,7] will wage war against them, and overpower and kill them.

Revelation 3:10

Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth.

Revelation 3:5

The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will be dressed like that, in white clothing, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life. And I will confess his name in front of my Father and His angels.

Matthew 25:34

Then the King will say to those at His right side, ‘You who are blessed by my Father, come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the creation of the world,

Revelation 20:12

And I saw dead people, the most important and the least significant ones, standing in front of the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life [Note: This refers to a record of those to whom God has granted never ending life]. And these dead people [i.e., who have now been resurrected] were judged according to their deeds, based on what was recorded in the books.

Titus 1:2

[and provides] hope for never ending life. God, who cannot lie, promised this [life] before the beginning of time,

Ephesians 1:4

Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love

John 17:24

“Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.

Revelation 20:15

And if any person’s [name] was not found recorded in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:10

And the devil that [had] deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire, [burning] with sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet also are. [See 19:20]. And [there] these [enemies of God] will be tortured day and night forever and ever.

Acts 15:18

This is what the Lord said when He predicted these things long ago.’

1 Peter 1:20

For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times.

Luke 8:31

And the evil spirits begged Jesus not to require them to go away into the “pit” [Note: This appears to be the place reserved for the devil and his evil spirits. See Rev. 9:1-11; 20:1-3].

Luke 10:20

Nevertheless, do not rejoice over the [evil] spirits submitting to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [i.e., in the book of life. See Rev. 3:5; Heb. 12:23].”

Revelation 17:2

The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk from [drinking] the wine of her sexual immorality.”