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.