The beast that you saw existed once, but is no longer, and is going to crawl out of the bottomless pit 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.

And he had

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are savage wolves.

because such people are not serving the Messiah our Lord, but their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Such people are false apostles, dishonest workers who are masquerading as apostles of the Messiah.

And he spake

so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the beast's name or the number of its name.

Then another sign appeared in the sky: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on its heads.

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. I was very surprised when I saw her.

"While I was thinking about the horns look another horn, this time a little one, grew up among them. Three of the first horns were yanked up by their roots right in front of it. Look! It had eyes like those of a human being and a mouth that boasted with audacious claims."

He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary of God and himself declares that he is God.

General references

to keep the godless man from reigning or laying a snare for the people."