⁸ The beast that you saw existed once, but is no longer, and is going to crawl out of the bottomless pit^[a] and then proceed to its destruction. Those living on earth, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, will be surprised when they see the beast because it was, is no longer, and will come again. ⁹ This calls for a mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is sitting. They are also seven kings. ¹⁰ Five of them have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must remain in power^[b] for a little while.