Revelation 17:11

11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

A. The civil government that was, then was not, is the eighth. But his eighth is not a new one. It is one of the original seven. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and Holy Roman Empire are the seven.

B. This verse refers to a power that was at one time a great power. It lost that power, then returned to power. Woodruff says, “This is the same kingdom as the “one is” in verse 10. The kingdom in power during the time of John’s recording of Revelation was the Roman Empire. Therefore, the one that “was, and is not” is the Roman Empire. (1, 303)

C. The only credible explanation is that this “eighth” is the Roman Catholic Church. It has worldwide power, even today. It is headquartered in Rome. This is the eighth beast.