Revelation 17:11

KJV

And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the beast {G2342} that {G3739} was {G2258}, and {G2532} is {G2076} not {G3756}, even {G2532} he {G846} is {G2076} the eighth {G3590}, and {G2532} is {G2076} of {G1537} the seven {G2033}, and {G2532} goeth {G5217} into {G1519} perdition {G684}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The beast which once was and now is not is an eighth king; it comes from the seven and is on its way to destruction.

Berean Standard Bible

The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.

American Standard Version

And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:11 provides a pivotal description of the beast, a central symbolic figure in the book's apocalyptic vision. It reveals the beast's mysterious, recurring nature—having existed, then seemingly vanished, only to reappear as an "eighth" entity that nonetheless derives its essence from the preceding "seven." Crucially, the verse definitively declares its ultimate and irreversible destiny: it "goeth into perdition," signifying its complete and final destruction at the hand of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17 opens with John's vision of a great harlot, "Mystery, Babylon the Great," seated on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. This chapter serves as an extended explanation of the beast and the harlot's identity and judgment, following the pronouncements of judgment in earlier chapters. Verses [Revelation 17:9-10](/revelation/17-9-10 "Revelation 17:9-10 - The Seven Heads as Mountains and Kings") explain the seven heads as both "seven mountains" (often interpreted as Rome) and "seven kings." The sequence of kings—"five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come"—sets the stage for verse 11, which introduces a new, yet intimately connected, "eighth" entity. This verse clarifies the beast's unique, deceptive nature and its certain doom, serving as a crucial interpretive key within the broader narrative of divine judgment against all anti-God powers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the beast and its heads would have resonated deeply with John's original audience, who were experiencing persecution under the Roman Empire. The "seven kings" likely alluded to a succession of Roman emperors, with the "eighth" potentially referring to a resurrected or supremely powerful imperial figure, perhaps even Nero redivivus (the belief that Nero would return). The beast represents not just a specific empire but any oppressive, idolatrous world system that sets itself against God and persecutes His people. The concept of "perdition" (utter destruction) was understood in both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought as a final, inescapable end, often associated with divine wrath or ultimate failure. This context underscores the immediate relevance of the prophecy to the suffering church while also pointing to enduring spiritual principles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. It highlights the **deceptive and persistent nature of evil**, as the beast "was, and is not," yet reappears. It emphasizes **God's absolute sovereignty and control over history**, demonstrating that even the most formidable and seemingly invincible earthly powers are subject to His divine plan and ultimate judgment. The declaration that the beast "goeth into perdition" underscores the theme of **divine justice and the inevitable defeat of all rebellion against God**, offering profound assurance to believers facing persecution. This certainty of judgment is a recurring motif, contrasting with the ultimate victory and reign of Christ and His saints, as seen in passages like [Revelation 19:11-21](/revelation/19-11-21 "Revelation 19:11-21 - Christ's Triumphant Return") and [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Beast and False Prophet Cast into the Lake of Fire").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beast (Greek, _thēríon'_):** This term refers to a dangerous or wild animal. In Revelation, it is consistently used symbolically to represent a powerful, oppressive, and anti-God political or spiritual entity that rises to persecute God's people and defy His authority. Its wild nature signifies its destructive and untamed character, operating outside divine order.
* **Was (Greek, _ēn'_):** This is the imperfect tense of the verb "to be," indicating a past continuous state or existence. Its use here, "the beast that was," points to a historical reality of this oppressive power's influence, suggesting a continuity or recurrence of its nature throughout history. It implies that the beast is not entirely new but has a historical precedent.
* **Perdition (Greek, _apṓleia'_):** This word signifies ruin, loss, or utter destruction. It denotes a complete and final undoing, not merely a temporary setback or defeat. In the context of the beast, it emphasizes its definitive, irreversible, and eternal fate, a state of ultimate non-existence or spiritual annihilation, contrasting sharply with the eternal life promised to the faithful.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the beast that was, and is not":** This phrase introduces the enigmatic and paradoxical nature of the beast. "Was" indicates its past existence and influence, implying a historical continuity of anti-God power. "Is not" suggests a period of apparent non-existence or diminished power, creating a sense of mystery and deception. This could refer to a temporary cessation of its overt activity or a change in its form, making it seem less threatening before its final manifestation.
* **"even he is the eighth, and is of the seven":** This clause further defines the beast's unique identity. It is an "eighth" entity, suggesting a culmination or a final, intensified manifestation that transcends the previous "seven" kings or empires. Yet, it "is of the seven," meaning it derives its character, power, or spirit from the preceding seven. This indicates a continuity of the same rebellious spirit, making the eighth a concentrated and ultimate expression of all that came before, rather than an entirely new power.
* **"and goeth into perdition":** This concluding declaration pronounces the beast's certain and ultimate doom. Despite its formidable power and deceptive nature, its end is not merely defeat but complete and irreversible destruction. This phrase serves as a powerful reassurance to believers that all forces opposed to God, no matter how strong they appear, are destined for utter ruin, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:11 is rich in **Symbolism**, a hallmark of apocalyptic literature. The "beast," "seven," and "eighth" are not literal entities but represent complex theological and historical realities. The beast symbolizes oppressive, anti-God world powers, while the numbers likely denote completeness or a sequence of historical empires or rulers. The phrase "was, and is not" employs **Paradox**, creating a sense of mystery and highlighting the deceptive nature of the beast's power—it appears to vanish, only to re-emerge, suggesting a recurring, resilient evil. This paradox also serves to heighten the dramatic tension before the revelation of its ultimate fate. The declaration that the beast "goeth into perdition" functions as **Prophecy** and **Foreshadowing**, definitively stating its future and inevitable destruction, thereby offering a powerful message of hope and assurance to the persecuted church regarding God's ultimate triumph.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:11 underscores the profound theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty over history and all human powers, no matter how formidable or deceptive they appear. The beast, representing the culmination of anti-God rebellion, is revealed to have a defined beginning, a mysterious period of seeming absence, and a certain end decreed by God. This highlights that evil, though permitted to operate for a time, ultimately serves God's purposes and is subject to His righteous judgment. The beast's destiny of "perdition" is a stark reminder that all systems and ideologies that defy God are inherently unstable and destined for ruin, affirming the ultimate triumph of divine justice and the eternal nature of God's kingdom.

* [Revelation 13:1-10](/revelation/13-1-10 "Revelation 13:1-10 - The Beast from the Sea")
* [Daniel 7:1-8](/daniel/7-1-8 "Daniel 7:1-8 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts")
* [2 Thessalonians 2:3](/2_thessalonians/2-3 "2 Thessalonians 2:3 - The Man of Lawlessness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:11 offers both a sobering warning and profound encouragement for believers today. The description of the beast as "that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven" reminds us that the spirit of rebellion against God manifests in various forms throughout history, often reappearing in new, deceptive guises. This calls for spiritual discernment, urging us to recognize and resist oppressive systems and ideologies that promote idolatry, injustice, and persecution, regardless of their outward appearance. More importantly, the definitive statement that the beast "goeth into perdition" provides immense hope and assurance. It reminds us that no matter how powerful or entrenched evil seems in our world, its ultimate defeat is certain and divinely ordained. This truth empowers us to stand firm in faith, to persevere through trials, and to live with courageous hope, knowing that God is sovereign and His kingdom will ultimately prevail. Our ultimate allegiance must always be to Christ, not to any earthly power or system, for only He holds the keys to ultimate victory and eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of the beast's perdition strengthen your faith in God's ultimate victory over evil in the world today?**
* **In what ways might the "was, and is not, and is" nature of the beast challenge us to discern and resist deceptive powers or ideologies in our contemporary society?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to remain faithful to Christ and His kingdom, even when oppressive systems or spiritual deceptions seem powerful or overwhelming?**

### FAQ
**What does "the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven" mean?**

Answer: This phrase describes the mysterious and recurring nature of the beast, which symbolizes oppressive, anti-God world powers or systems. "That was" indicates its historical existence and influence, suggesting that this spirit of rebellion has manifested throughout history. "And is not" suggests a period of apparent dormancy or a change in its overt form, making it seem less threatening or even absent. However, the crucial part is "even he is the eighth, and is of the seven." This means that the beast reappears as a culminating, final manifestation (the "eighth") that embodies or derives its power and character from the preceding "seven" historical powers or kings (as explained in [Revelation 17:9-10](/revelation/17-9-10 "Revelation 17:9-10 - The Seven Heads as Mountains and Kings")). It's not an entirely new entity but a final, intensified expression of the same rebellious spirit against God, reaching its ultimate form before its destruction.

**What is the significance of the beast "going into perdition"?**

Answer: The phrase "goeth into perdition" signifies the beast's ultimate, irreversible, and complete destruction. "Perdition" (Greek: _apṓleia_) means ruin, loss, or utter annihilation. This is a definitive declaration of its final doom, emphasizing that despite its temporary power, deception, and persecution of God's people, its end is certain and catastrophic. This statement serves as a powerful theological truth: all forces that oppose God, no matter how formidable, are subject to His righteous judgment and will ultimately be defeated and destroyed. It provides immense comfort and assurance to believers, reinforcing the sovereignty of God and the inevitable triumph of His kingdom over all evil, as ultimately demonstrated in passages like [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Beast and False Prophet Cast into the Lake of Fire").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 17:11, with its pronouncement of the beast's inevitable "perdition," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over all powers of darkness, sin, and death. While the beast represents the culmination of human rebellion and satanic opposition, its certain destruction points to the definitive and eternal reign of the Lamb of God. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has already disarmed and triumphed over principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The beast's going into perdition is the eschatological outworking of Christ's initial victory on the cross, where He conquered the one who held the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Ultimately, it is Christ, the Rider on the white horse, who will return in glory to cast the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire ([Revelation 19:11-21](/revelation/19-11-21 "Revelation 19:11-21 - Christ's Triumphant Return")). Thus, Revelation 17:11 is not merely a prophecy of destruction but a testament to the absolute and final supremacy of Christ's kingdom, assuring believers that their ultimate hope rests not in the defeat of earthly evils by human means, but in the sovereign and victorious reign of their crucified and resurrected Lord.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 17:8

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.