Revelation 17:8

The beast, as we have already seen, is Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-3). Here the angel referred to his resuscitation of a formerly dead nation (cf. Revelation 13:3; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:14). Ladd held that we should identify the beast itself with its heads, but this leads to a confusion of the figures. [Note: Ladd, p. 226.] Evidently this resuscitation will happen near the middle of the Tribulation. [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 293.] The beast comes out of the abyss, the home of Satan (Revelation 11:7) and the hold of his demons (Revelation 9:1-2; Revelation 9:11), when he revives this nation. This suggests that Satan will give him supernatural powers when he does this. Finally Jesus Christ will destroy him forever (Revelation 19:20).

The beast’s resuscitation of this nation will greatly impress earth-dwellers (i.e., unbelievers; cf. Revelation 13:3). They will conclude that he is a divine savior, but really he will be a demonic slaughterer. He will deceive everyone but the elect (i.e., believers; cf. Revelation 13:8; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).