It could be he had to lose to set the stage for him to arise from what would be to others a fatal blow?
This "political ascendancy" = AC "deadly head wound" does not hold up. At all.
The INTENDED parallel type of the AC is Goliath (Gol of Gath). Did Goliath actually
literally receive a head wound? Yes.
First the divinely targeted and accelerated STONE. Then......the beheading. The beheading is the "deadly head wound".
This beheading was that which was proof positive to the Philistines and Jews that Goliath was indeed dead as a doorknob.
Same scenario with the AC. Whatever the deadly wound it......death will be unmistakably confirmed. THEN the AC will be resurrected.
Which convinces the world that he is an unkillable, unbeatable foe.
Rev 13:3
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.
Rev 13:12
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Which convinces the world that he is an unkillable, unbeatable foe.
AND THEN the world DECIDES to worship the beast. An unkillable warlord with a fallen angel/demon army that the world thinks can challenge the Lord and Savior Jesus Himself. In fact a pre-flood scenario that Jesus intentionally invokes as a "type" during the Olivet Discourse.
Rev 13:4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who
is like unto the beast?
who is able to make war with him?