What is the beast that was in Revelation 17:11?
This revived empire, the beast that was in Revelation 17:11, is the old Roman Empire, which seemed dead and gone but suddenly returns with all its attributes in place. The Antichrist will head it up, and he is the eighth.
Les explains that in Revelation 17:11 the beast that was is, in his view, the old Roman Empire. It was seemingly dead and seemingly gone, but now it suddenly reappears on the scene with all of its attributes in place. He says this man Antichrist is going to head it up, and he is the eighth. In the preceding verses, Les points out that the seven heads are seven mountains, meaning seven nations, with seven prime ministers or kings, and the woman is the religious system. He notes there are seven kings: three have already lost their identity, one is, and the other is not yet come, continuing only a short space. Les also mentions that numbers in Scripture have value, such as three for the Godhead, five for grace, and six for man.
And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
More Questions
What does 'go into perdition' mean for the beast in Revelation 17:11?
The phrase 'go into perdition' in Revelation 17:11 means the Lord will destroy the Antichrist (the beast) at Christ's coming.
How does the Antichrist become the eighth in Revelation 17:11?
Les teaches that out of the seven will come the Antichrist, who takes complete control, causes the other leaders to fade off the scene, and becomes the eighth.