I think several passages identify the beast, its origin, and religion. Habakkuk 1 is the passage that nails this. I believe it's all about Islamic terrorism. Here's a partial commentary on it.
One indication is that every nation mentioned in prophecy is Arab, Persian, and Islamic today. I see nothing that implicates Rome, the USA, or any other nation or religion. The prophet Habakkuk clearly states the origin of the end-time beast. The Chaldean’s, also known as the Babylonian’s, which represents today’s Arabs and Muslim’s in end-time prophecy. Take a look...
In Habakkuk1:1-4, he complains to God that he's doing nothing about all the violence he sees around him.
All he sees is spoiling, violence, strife, and contention. He complains that God is doing nothing and that his laws of justice are lacking. Then God replies -
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
Ancient Babylon did not march through the "breadth (wide expanse) of the land to possess dwelling places that are not theirs." Jihadist foreign fighters fit this as they are scattered worldwide.
Islam believes their religion will dominate the world. Its jihadist sects have spread into every country on earth to 'possess the dwelling places that are not theirs'. Not to mention they want ISRAEL eradicated and want to possess it!
Verse 7a - "
They are terrible and dreadful:" Daniel 7:7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, d
readful and terrible."
They are terrible and dreadful because at over a billion strong, Muslim’s heavily reside in every country and nearly every neighborhood on earth. They will use the most horrific means of terror available to mankind to dominate the planet. Suicide bombings, chemical, biological, and nuclear terrorism IS coming.
Verse 7b "
Their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves."
That’s the power of Islamic fear, they have no conscience. They regard nobody other than themselves. You know what’s coming and what they’re capable of because of their evil reputation.
V. 8 b
and are more fierce than the evening wolves:
This is the only place the word hadad/chadad is translated fierce. and implies "sharpness in the sense of swiftness." The word implies, 'to be sharp, be alert, be keen'. Did you know that most jihadist use the drug Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant like cocaine.
"This stimulant drug, also known as the cocaine for the poor," allowed the terrorists to commit heinous acts with a sense of calmness and indifference. Simultaneously, it kept them highly alert for extended periods and suppressed their appetite."
MSN
V. 8c
and their horsemen shall spread themselves,
Jihadist are on a mission and have migrated to nearly every city on earth. Just ask people in the EU what they think of it.
V. 8d "
and their horsemen shall come from far" (They come from distant lands) they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. (Once the third jihad begins, attacks will be one after another)
V. 8e "
they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat."
They're bent on jihad - the third jihad - and when it takes hold there will be no delay. Once the third jihad begins, attacks will be one after another. You would be surprised how many of them have passports and can "fly."
V. 9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
They shall come all for violence... (Islamic terrorism)
The third jihad - last and final round of the Crusades. 200 million jihadist - Revelation 9.
...
their faces shall sup up as the east wind...
Some manuscripts say -their faces shall look towards the east. The direction Muslim's face when they worship.
E. Swedenborg (1688-1772) said, "The east wind is always associated with evil destructive wind. That wind, and especially the east wind, signifies nothing else than the dispersion of falsities and evils….
It's also the wind that brings the 'locusts' who in the Old Testament are associated with the Arabs because of how fast they reproduce.
Islam's form of worship. Terrorism, their form of worship, and goal of world domination ALL IN ONE VERSE! The 'east wind' is always associated with destruction. Sup up means to do so as an assembly or a horde. Islam is the only religion where it's followers 'sup their face up to the east' even 5 times a day.
...
and they shall gather the captivity as the sand...
Large number of followers/world domination)
V. 10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; f
or they shall heap dust, and take it.
V. 10a
And they shall scoff at the kings.
Jihadist aren't like a military. They don't have brigades of tanks and equipment or planes unless they hijack them. They ridicule world leaders because they're like leopards that can penetrate strongholds. President Kennedy said that a day was coming when terrorism would make war obsolete. Scoff means to mock, deride, make fun of. They are able to do this because they tend to be loners and hide among the general population. They aren't coming at you with brigades of military equipment.