8 The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, how that he was, and is not, and will come.
“was and is not” – this beast is the power of Satan, the power of the lie, through the Bishop of Rome. Jesus Christ established the true teachings of the Church during a literal period of three and a half years (42 months). The beast, or “antichrist,” meaning “substitute Christ,” established false teachings over a period of 42 months, which are really 1278 years.
come up out of the abyss – the beast was described as coming from the sea in Rev 13:1, and here it is described as coming out of the abyss, the bottomless pit, see also Rev 9:2.
whose names have not been written in the book of life – see also Rev 13:8, these are those who place the teachings of the beast above Christ.
will wonder when they see the beast – see also Rev 13:3.