The Eighth

After the seven heads, there is one last power, “the eighth,” which attacks the people of God. That power is not just another head; it’s the beast himself, and he is of the same ilk as “the seven” that came before him—a persecuting power. “The eighth” is the papacy. Remember, look at who gave this seven-headed beast his power in the first place: “the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (v. 2). These entities all, whether knowingly or not, were and are accomplishing the devil’s will.

Thus, we are given a complete history of the devil’s plan of destruction, as played out through his earthly agents. This is a clear warning. Though the beast may look different, may act different, may even profess that he is different in today’s global theater, the Bible assures us that it is the same animal of the Dark Ages, with the same motives and mission.

Indeed, “the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High” (Daniel 7:21, 22).

Today’s verse also shows us that when the beast is in his final iteration, his “yet is” stage, he will “go to perdition” (Revelation 17:8), that is, final destruction. So where are we now in this prophetic timeline? As we’ve already mentioned, since receiving the “deadly wound” (13:3) in 1798, the papacy is swiftly coming back to life.

So, we are currently living in the stage between when the beast “is not” and “yet is.” The final judgment, not only of the beast but of the entire world, is soon to take place. This is all part of the mystery God is revealing to us, the truth about the woman and her beast.

If you’re someone who is following the beast, and the beast “is going to perdition,” then, by default, you’re going to follow the beast to perdition. And that’s the last thing God wants to happen. Won’t you follow the Lamb into eternal life?

Merciful God, please open my heart to these hard truths; help me to see what You are doing for my salvation and accept Your invitation to follow You.

For Further Study: Ezekiel 33:11; Daniel 7:25–27; Hebrews 10:37–39

Key Bible Texts

And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Revelation 17:11 KJV)