8 " The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction . And those who dwell on the earth , whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world , will wonder when they see the beast , that he was and is not and will come . 9 " Here is the mind which has wisdom . The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits , 10 and they are seven kings ; five have fallen , one is, the other has not yet come ; and when he comes , he must remain a little while . 11 "The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven , and he goes to destruction . 12 "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom , but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour . 13 "These have one purpose , and they give their power and authority to the beast .
14 "These will wage war against the Lamb , and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings , and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful ." 15 And he said to me, "The waters which you saw where the harlot sits , are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues . 16 "And the ten horns which you saw , and the beast , these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked , and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire . 17 "For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose , and by giving their kingdom to the beast , until the words of God will be fulfilled . 18 "The woman whom you saw is the great city , which reigns e over the kings of the earth ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 17:8-24
Commentary on Revelation 17:7-14
(Read Revelation 17:7-14)
The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect. This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.
Commentary on Revelation 17:15-18
(Read Revelation 17:15-18)
God so ruled the hearts of these kings, by his power over them, and by his providence, that they did those things, without intending it, which he purposed and foretold. They shall see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the harlot, and be made instruments in her destruction. She was that great city which reigned over the kings of the earth, when John had this vision; and every one knows Rome to be that city. Believers will be received to the glory of the Lord, when wicked men will be destroyed in a most awful manner; their joining together in sin, will be turned to hatred and rage, and they will eagerly assist in tormenting each other. But the Lord's portion is his people; his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure, to his glory, and the happiness of all his servants.