4 They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
they worshiped the dragon – they worshiped Satan, the father of lies, without realizing it. The Spirit of the Antichrist, behind the man, is Satan. He is the real “lawless one” (2 Thess 2:8). John called him the serpent of old (Rev 12:9), who deceived all of mankind when he first questioned God’s commandment, saying: “Indeed has God said you shall not eat from any tree of the garden?” (Gen 3:1).
they worshiped the beast..”who is able to make war with him” – the beast is the false Lord and teacher who uses “religion” rather than weapons to exercise his control.