Thanks for the input Graw. I too do not want to attack any persons chosen denomination. As I mentioned in my post, we all can look at any verse of scripture and draw a fast interpretation. In studying the Bible, we MUST do more than just read the verse. We must study it and study it. I am glad you mentioned the Hebrew and the Greek. Anytime we study Gods' word, to get the true meaning that God intended, we must see what the verse or words mean in their original writing. There are many different versions of the Bible out there and we must be careful on which one we use, as many leave out words that God intended to be there. I use the KJV simply because I like the challenge of trying to understand it. I am not saying it is the only version approved by God, but in my studies, it comes the closest to using the original interpretation but in old English. Now we all know most of us don't talk like that anymore, but again the challenge is there for me.
In my studies of Revelation, more specifically Chapter 13, I like you, cannot see how anyone can back up claiming that the second beast is the United States. The original writing and the chapters and verses before and after do not support that view. satan does try and copy the teaching of the Trinity. As we have God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, satan uses himself, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet as his trinity. Again, I know not all denominations believe in the Trinity, and I am not trying to push my view on anyone. I simply state that we must be very, very careful how we interpret the Bible, how we pass that interpretation on to others, and we must be able to back up our teachings based on the original writings of Gods' word. Even when my pastor preaches a message, I don't always take it as being correct. I weigh all I hear and read about God, no matter the source, with the Bible on the other side of the scale. We are all from one denomination or another, and no matter what one we choose, we must make sure they are teaching us the truth. God Himself warns us about spreading false doctrine.
God Bless you all