ACC ~ Revelation 17 v8b

THOSE WHO TRUSTED THE BEAST WILL MARVEL AT HIS FALL. OECUMENIUS: And, it says, “the dwellers on earth will marvel.” Not all dwellers, but those whose names are not in the Book of Life. And why will they marvel? Because the beast was and is not and will come and be destroyed. For those who trusted in him will be amazed at the great change that has come upon him. For desiring to be ruler of the world and manifesting himself in this way, he will not only be stripped of his power but he will also receive a fate corresponding to his depravity. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.6-9.

THOSE SEDUCED BY THE BEAST. PRIMASIUS: He is referring to those very same people from whose members the body destined to damnation is built up. And should the names make for some ambiguity, in his epistle [John] has spoken of the same thing in the singular: “As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now there are many antichrists.” And shortly thereafter he says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”Therefore, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life and who will still be living at the end of the world and who will experience the destruction of their own damnation, these will realize too late that he whom they had thought to be the Christ is not. And they will be amazed, for they had been deceived by the hidden seduction of the beast. Rather, when they have been most justly condemned, they [will realize that the Christ] is our Christ whom they will realize is indeed the judge. Therefore, since the foundation of the world, as “the Lord knows those who are his,” so he has also promised that he would say to them, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” And so also, those who are not his, he has not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. But as those unknown to him and foreknown from afar he will condemn to the punishment of that eternal fire “which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” “For the Lord is high and regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar,”and so he says, “I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.8.

THOSE UNTUTORED IN THE PROPHECIES OF CHRIST. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: On account of the false miracles, those whose names are not written in the book of those who live forever and who have not been sufficiently taught in the prophecies of Christ concerning him will be astonished at his coming and wonder how he had regained his ancient power. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.8.

Rev