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Rev 17:7-11 The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast, Part 2

[Study Aired April 20, 2025]

Rev 17:7  And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8  The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Rev 17:9  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Notice that we are told that we, this “scarlet colored beast… ascends out of the bottomless pit”:

Rev 17:8  [a] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit…

This thing which the King James calls a “bottomless pit” was first introduced to us in our studies of the fifth trumpet judgment in Revelation 9:

Rev 9:1  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Rev 9:2  And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

This “bottomless pit” is introduced to us in the first verse with the two Greek words, G12, ‘abussos’, defined as ‘deep’, and the Greek word, G5421, ‘phrear’, defined as ‘a pit’:

Rev 9:1  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless [G12, ‘abussos’, defined as ‘deep’]  pit [G5421, ‘phrear’, defined as ‘a pit’]

This  Greek word ‘phrear’ appears just six times in the entire New Testament, and four of those six are right here in the first two verses of Revelation 9 where it is translated as ‘pit’ all four times:

Rev 9:1  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless [G12, ‘abussos’, deep] pit [G5421, ‘phrear’].
Rev 9:2  And he opened the bottomless [G12, ‘abussos’, deep] pit [G5421, ‘phrear’]; and there arose a smoke out of the pit [G5421, ‘phrear’], as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit [G5421, ‘phrear’].

The only other two entries of this word ‘phrear’ demonstrate what this Greek word ‘phrear’ really means:

Joh 4:11  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well [G5421: ‘phrear’, pit] is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Joh 4:12  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well [G5421: ‘phrear’, pit], and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Therefore this “bottomless pit” is simply a “deep pit” as it is revealed to us in the first two verses of Revelation 9. Let’s look at those verses again with the numbers and definitions by each of those two words:

Rev 9:1  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless [G12, ‘abussos’, deep] pit [G5421, ‘phrear’, pit]
Rev 9:2  And he opened the bottomless [G12, ‘abussos’, deep] pit [G5421, ‘phrear’, pit]; and there arose a smoke out of the pit [G5421, phrear’], as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit [G5421, ‘phrear’].

Here is Strong’s definitions of these two Greek words:

G12
ἄβυσσος
abussos
ab’-us-sos

From G1 (as a negative particle) and a variation of G1037; depthless, that is, (specifically), (infernal) “abyss”: – deep, (bottomless) pit.

Total KJV occurrences: 9

G5421
φρέαρ
phrear
freh’-ar

Of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), that is, a cistern or well; figuratively an abyss (as a prison): – well, pit.

Total KJV occurrences: 7

The phrase ‘bottomless pit’ appears seven times in the book of Revelation. It is first mentioned three times in Revelation 9. The first two appearances are in the first two verses which we just quoted. The third time is in the 11^th verse:

Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit [G1: ‘abussos’], whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

Notice that in this 11^th verse the fact that the ‘abussos’ is a ‘phrear’ is understood and it is simply referred to as ‘the abussos’, “the bottomless pit”.

It is mentioned once in chapter 11, where we are given a very good clue as to the location of this ‘abussos’ which is called “the bottomless pit” in the King James Version.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit [G12: ‘abussos’] shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

It is mentioned once here in this verse we are now discussing in Revelation 17:8, where we are given the same clue of its meaning which we were given in chapter 11.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit [G12: ‘abussos’, deep], and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

The beast, which we all are by default, “ascends out of the bottomless pit”,  “abussos”, the deep.

The last two entries of this English phrase, “the bottomless pit”, are in Revelation 20:

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit [G12, ‘abussos’, the deep] and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit [G12, ‘abussos’, the deep], and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

When we look for the total entries for this Greek word, G12, ‘abussos’, in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, we discover there are two more very revealing entries for this Greek word ‘abussos’. Here are those two entries:

Luk 8:31 And they [‘legion’ the devils] besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep [G12, ‘abussos’, deep].
Luk 8:32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
Luk 8:33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake G3041, ‘limne’ lake, pond], and were choked.

As a very significant side note, this same ‘abussos’ (Luk 8:31), which is demonstrated to be “the lake” in verse 33, is also called “the Thalassa [G2281, Sea] of Galilee”:

Mat 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea [G2281, ‘Thalassa’] of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea [G2281, ‘Thalassa’]: for they were fishers.

The ‘abussos’ here in Luke 8 is demonstrated to be a “lake”, a ‘limne’. Here is Strong’s definition of this Greek word ‘limne’:

G3041
λίμνη
limnē
lim’-nay

Probably from G3040 (through the idea of the nearness of shore); a pond (large or small): – lake.

Total KJV occurrences: 10

These three verses in Luke 8 demonstrate that the Greek words, ‘abussos’ and ‘limne’ are used interchangeably. The word ‘abussos’ is translated as “the deep” in verse 31 of Luk 8, and it is demonstrated as meaning “into the lake”, in verse 33.

Here is our ninth and final entry for this Greek word ‘abussos’ which is most commonly translated as ‘bottomless pit’ in the King James Bible.

Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? [G12: ‘abussos’] (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Here in Romans 10:7 we are told that ‘abussos’, ‘the deep’ refers to “the dead”, which is exactly what we all spiritually are in these dying bodies of corruptible flesh and blood. King David refers to life in this physical realm as “the valley of the shadow of death”:

Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the [spiritual] shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Christ also considered this physical life to be experienced in the realm of those who are dying:

Mat 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the [spiritually] dead bury their dead.

Luk 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the [spiritually] dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul agreed 100% with Christ:

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening [spirit.
1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption [“flesh and blood”] inherit incorruption.

What this tells us is that the ‘abussos’, “the deep” is the same as “the sea” from which the beast of Revelation 13 “rises up”:

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea [G2281, ‘thalassa’ sea or lake], and saw a beast rise up out of the sea [G2281, ‘thalassa’, sea or lake], having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

The “many waters on which the woman sits” in Revelation 17 is nothing less than a symbol for the sea, the ‘abussos’, the “bottomless pit” which signifies the carnal mind of all mankind.

Rev 11:7 and 17:8 both tell us that “the beast ascends out of the bottomless pit” and here in Rev 13:1 we read “I… saw a beast rise up out of the sea”. The Greek word for ‘sea’ here in Revelation 13:1 is ‘thalassa’ and not ‘abussos’, nor ‘limne’, but it is clear that ‘thalassa’ here is just another way of saying “the deep”, or “the lake” into which the swine stampeded and drowned. “The sea” out of which the beast arises is the Biblical type of the carnal mind of all flesh, out of which we all rise as ‘scarlet colored beasts’ which we all are by natural birth into physical bodies of sinful flesh and blood.

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

That is the spiritual meaning of “the bottomless pit”. It is the symbol for the rebellious, self-righteous, sinful flesh and blood into which we are all born, and which we all worship from our first breath.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

We have already been told that we are all first blotted out of God’s book, because we have all sinned.

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Exactly who is it “who have sinned against [God]”?

Psa 14:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psa 14:3  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psa 53:1  To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Psa 53:3  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So when we read here in Revelation 17:8 “… and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is”, what we are actually being told is that God knew in advance those whose deadly wound is healed, and who would repent and whose names would be reinstated in His book while yet in these vessels of clay. What we are being told, is that God knew all of His elect before the world began, and He had reinstated their names in His book “before the world began”.

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

So once again, that which the natural man understands as being so very ominous and dreadful and cataclysmic is seen through the eyes of the spirit to be a “great and marvellous work… of His judgments… to the children of men” (Psa 107:8, 15, 21, 31; Rev 15:1).

Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Isa 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues [judgments]; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

After all “the things written therein” are “the revelation of Jesus Christ” to His servants (Rev 1:1 and 1:3) and “There is one event to all”:

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

While there is “one event to all”, that ‘one event’ is not experienced by all at the same resurrection. Those in the first resurrection “will not be hurt of the second death”, which is ‘second’ inasmuch as those in the “second death” are ‘second’ in their order of “dying daily… being crucified with Christ, and presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice unto God” (1Co 15:31; Gal 2:20: Rom 12:1). Like “the second man… Adam” (1Co 15:47) the “second death” (Rev 2:11, Rev 20:6 and 20:14) is a matter of the order in which it is experienced.

Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

The only thing this verse adds to the first verse of Revelation 13 is the woman who sits upon this beast, which ‘woman’ we have demonstrated signifies all the false doctrines of all the churches of Babylon. The ‘seven heads’ signify the complete beast, the seven mountains signify the complete kingdom of the beast, and “The mind that has wisdom” is the mind which is given to understand all these symbols of this revelation of Jesus Christ, and is given to understand that “the time is at hand… to keep all the signified things which are written therein”.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

So this ‘woman’ riding a ‘beast’ is two symbols for the same thing. Once again “the dream [or vision] is one”, and the seven heads and the seven mountains are the same thing, as understood by “the mind that has wisdom.” They both signify the complete kingdom of a mature beast, whose perdition as an “eighth beast” is eminent.

Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

“Five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space”, is just another way of telling us where we are in our spiritual development when we look behind us to see this revelation. The “five are fallen” kings signify the work of “grace through faith” which the Lord is working in us. The “one is” signifies these “earthen vessels” in which we house the one who is ‘not yet come, but when He comes He must continue a short space before going into perdition’ and through that death and destruction being raised up a new man. Until we begin to see this spiritual process of our judgment in this “great and marvellous… revelation of Jesus Christ”, we are hopelessly lost in the darkness of our own ignorance. We are a beast who is ruled by a harlot, and we aren’t even aware of our own spiritual darkness. When that darkness is finally shattered by “the brightness of His coming”, then that which restrained and withheld our spiritual understanding is removed and destroyed. Here is message of Revelation 17:19 in the book of 2nd Thessalonians.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the [eighth beast, the] son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [“Know ye not that you are the temple of God” (1Co 3:16-17)]
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [Same Greek word translated ‘withhold in verse 6] will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [“he must continue a short space”].

Once we are given to see how we have been serving ourselves instead of our Lord, our old man’s days are numbered, and he is soon destroyed by the bright light of the Truth who our Lord is.

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

As He is, so are we in this world:

Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

It is by being in us that Christ is still “in the world [as] the light of the world”, and those are His own words.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Next week, Lord willing, we will see what is the spiritual significance of the ten horns of this beast.

Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.