Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
[The Desire of Ages pp 435] Lucifer desired God's power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a steppingstone on which he himself may climb to a higher place.
Several instances in the Bible clearly demonstrate the development of beast principles as they were implemented by those under influence of devils. In the area of worship, the use of force reared its ugly head. And at other times, when the faithful would not buckle under pressure, they were fed with the bread of affliction.
In the case of those “Certain Jews” who had refused to bow to the golden image in Nebuchadnezzar’s day, they were first solicited to do so initially, but when solicitations failed, the use of force was resorted to, as will always be the case when beast principles are espoused.
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!