In Revelation 13:3 we read (KJV):

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

The words I’m focusing on are “as it were.” It says “one of his heads.” The ESV and NIV translate verse three, ” One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound” (emphasis on “seemed”), as if it only APPEARS to have a mortal wound. The NASB says “as if”: “I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. ”

Two thoughts here. The first is, is it possible that this “resurrection” from the dead of the “wounded beast” is another lying sign and wonder meant to deceive the world? That he doesn’t really die, and only appears to be dead and resurrected? Who could raise him from the dead? Is there anyone other than God Himself who can raise people from the dead?

There is also the view that this “revived” beast is a revived Islamic caliphate, e.g., the Ottoman caliphate. Why could Satan not be cast out and incarnate the man who will become the anti-Christ in either scenario? Why could he not also be cast out to incarnate this man at the moment a revived caliphate fully comes to power in the Middle East?

Can you comment on this.

Nothing is more symbolic and spiritual than literal fulfillment (as the first coming of Christ so well demonstrates), and gradual hardening is ended perfectly with a sudden thief-like appearing that is totally justified by clear fulfillment of ancient prophecies plainly declaring the end from the beginning that give plenty of room for repentance.

The 1260 days, 42 months, time, times and half a time (and the 1290 days and 1335 days you well noted) are placing a triple emphasis on real time to keep us from day=year theories, etc.

You are right in spending time contemplating the place that Jesus sends us to understand the time of His coming. But we would hate to see your theories rob any of God’s people of the space for repentance and preparation that comes in the first half of the “week.”

We hold that the 1st half of the week when the Covenant is confirmed (and the sacrifices begin not long after) is a criitical time of preparation for the Church, stripping us of all that remains of our natural strength and ability. In that place, and that place alone, will travail and intercession be effectual to the pulling down of Satan’s last great stronghold in the heavens.

Daniel Chapter 7 through 12 focus on the “vile person” but have profound implications for the full measure of Christ being formed in His Church, and this “no-people” moving His ancient people to jealousy by their character, testimony, and loving not their lives to the death.

Focusing on the details Jesus sends us to ponder, keeps us from the false alarms of prophetic speculation on one hand, and nebulous uncertainties that lull to sleep on the other.

For a more detailed response, I would recommend email Reggie directly, as he is unlikely to see your comment otherwise.

This is rich! The place where the Law is fulfilled is “in Christ.” We are in Christ if we have been born again, born in the Spirit. It is the righteousness of the Spirit. This explains why Abraham was reconciled as righteous before God even before the Law was given. By faith, Abraham put his trust in the coming Messiah, even before Messiah came. This is where all the saints of the Old Testament were at, as Hebrews 11 tells us. And Jesus, before He went to the cross, reaffirmed this when He told Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:6-7.