Revelation 17:8

Was, and is not-shall ascend-go into perdition; the beast is the Roman power considered through the whole of its duration. It was, as the old Roman empire, and in this form it was destroyed and ceased to be; then it ascended out of the bottomless pit as papal Rome, and in this form it shall finally go into perdition.

Shall wonder; wonder after the beast, chap Revelation 13:3; that is, shall follow him with idolatrous admiration.

When they behold the beast; during the continuance of the beast, or this persecuting power, in its last form and before its final destruction. There is no certain security, except to the true children of God, against the seductive arts and fascinating influence of that power which is represented as the great whore, on a scarlet-colored beast, arrayed in purple, and decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls, and with her wine making the nations drunk.