Question 9 (point #2)
Point 2 says the Beast rises from the sea. What does the sea or water represent?
Bible
Revelation 13:1
"I stood upon the sand of the sea and saw a beast rise up out of the sea."
Revelation 17:15
"The waters (sea) which you saw are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues."
Answer
The Beast rises up out of the sea, which represents peoples, multitudes and nations. This means he arises from among an existing center of population. Before the nation of Rome fell, the Emperor set up the Bishop of Rome as head of the church. The Bishop of Rome, or Pope, came from the existing nation of Rome.
Does the Roman Catholic Papacy fit point #2? Did it come from an already existing population or nation?
Yes!
The papacy was established by the nation of Rome, as stated by history professor Labianca below;
“To the succession of the Caesars, came the succession of the Pontiffs in Rome. Constantine gave his seat to the Pontiff” Labianca, Professor, University of Rome