I was trying to figure out if I had this “Trump derangement syndrome” that I read about in an article recently. I read somewhere that it is more his character than policies that are the problem. Being a Democrat, I do not agree with all the Republican policies, but that doesn’t mean I hate all Republicans. I try to listen and not reflexively tune them out. I feel there is room for both.
The Bible also says the mark is required to do business, like buying food at the store. The similarities are interesting, but it’s not like you can’t apply many of them to other terrible leaders throughout history. And since Revelation is actually referring to Rome and Nero, it makes sense why the author is able to encapsulate the concept of “terrifying leader” so well.
But to your point, they don’t see it, because like everything in religion, you can pick and choose what you like. That’s why there’s so many sects of Christianity, and why at least one scholar calls Trump’s version “American Fundamentalism.” Trump is the messiah they’ve been waiting for.
They don’t see it, because they don’t want to.