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The angel said to me, “Why are you amazed? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns. [a](A)The beast that you saw existed once but now exists no longer. It will come up from the abyss and is headed for destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world shall be amazed when they see the beast, because it existed once but exists no longer, and yet it will come again. Here is a clue[b] for one who has wisdom. The seven heads represent seven hills upon which the woman sits. They also represent seven kings:(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:8 Allusion to the belief that the dead Nero would return to power (Rev 17:11); see note on Rev 13:3.
  2. 17:9 Here is a clue: literally, “Here a mind that has wisdom.” Seven hills: of Rome.

Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery(A) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.(B) The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss(C) and go to its destruction.(D) The inhabitants of the earth(E) whose names have not been written in the book of life(F) from the creation of the world will be astonished(G) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

“This calls for a mind with wisdom.(H) The seven heads(I) are seven hills on which the woman sits.

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