Question
If Sennacherib is the man of sin come back to life, how could this make the people wonder after the beast. After all how could they know he was brought back to life if they never saw him before let alone saw him get killed? The 6th king seems like a better candidate to be the man of sin. Because if he died during this period of time and is replaced by the 7th only for a few days, wouldn’t it be more amazing to the people if the 6th king came back to life just days after his death? They would know who he was and therefore believe in him.
Response
This, of course, is just my own understanding. I have been persuaded in view of all that is set forth to Israel regarding “the Assyrian,” and in view of all that is set forth to them regarding Sennacherib and Satan’s use of him at the beginning of the Fifth Course of Punishment, that there is enough to warrant me thinking what I think. But by no means does this mean that there aren’t any rough spots with what I think. There are, including some of the things you bring up from Revelation 13.
Now actually it’s been quite some time since I have focused my attention and learning on this particular issue. And unfortunately, my memory just isn’t what it used to be. So the things I have thought about on this issue, and worked on in the past, (including some of the rough spots) are just not fresh in my thinking right now. Frankly, I think I would need to start examining the issue all over again in order to get my thinking up to speed on it.
So, all I am going to say at this present time is that the objections you raise to my understanding are certainly valid ones. And on the basis of them you ought to reject my understanding and hold to yours. At the moment I cannot say just when I will take up the study again on this particular aspect of Israel’s program. But I am saving a copy of your email for when I do.
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries
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