Is the beast in Revelation 17:8 the Roman Empire?
Yes, the beast in Revelation 17:8 is identified as the Roman Empire. It was, faded off the scene, is not, yet shall ascend out of the bottomless pit. This revived Roman political, economic, and pagan religious system culminates under Antichrist and supports the world church.
Les explains that Revelation 17:8's beast is the Roman Empire. He notes the text says the beast 'was, faded off the scene, is not, shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition.' This revived Roman Empire is a great political worldwide system headed by the man Antichrist. It will subsidize and support the world church, which rides upon it, and the government of the Antichrist supports it. The beast also refers to the Antichrist and Satan, as well as the Empire. The seven heads and ten horns are referenced, and the unbelieving world will wonder at the beast whose names are not written in the book of life. Les connects the seven heads to seven mountains or kingdoms and the seven kings to Western Europe.
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.
More Questions
Who are the earth-dwellers that wonder at the beast in Revelation 17:8?
The people 'that dwell on the earth' whose names were not written in the book of life are the unbelieving element of the world, and they will be part and parcel of the great end-times religious system and will wonder at the beast.