Heya EAR,
 
Thanks for your interest in our late brief debate weighing whether the sea beast of Revelation 13 will arise from an Islamic or a Roman milieu. I'm happy to be able to explain to you my view of Revelation 13.
 
First, I'm very much aware that there are two beasts introduced in the chapter. The first, and by far the most important--indeed, the "star" of the chapter--is the Sea Beast.
 
The second beast who arises from the land (he's also called the False Prophet) plays Aaron to the Sea Beast's Moses, if you will. A careful reading of the chapter will show that the FP does all in the name of the Sea Beast, to the end that all the world should worship the Sea Beast. Rev. 13: 18 refers to the Sea Beast, not to the FP. So, the Sea Beast is indeed a man. This point is clarified in Rev. 19: 20. Both beasts are men who, upon our Lord Jesus' return, will be the first two residents of the Lake of Fire.
 
As for your claim that the Sea Beast represents an empire, please see Rev. 13:18, and I reiterate, he is undoubtedly a man. I'll explain further. The symbolism of the Lion, Bear, and Leopard seen in the body of the Sea Beast hark back to Daniel 7, and they give us clues to the political genealogy of this man. He arises from the imperial hierarchy represented in Daniel 2--that great multi-metal image, which illustrates the great empires from Babylon to Rome and ultimately the ten kingdoms (symbolized by the feet and toes of iron mingled with clay) over which the Sea Beast will ultimately rule. I am of the opinion that any interpretation of the end times must be reconciled with Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Image. Your interpretation fails here in that it leaves out the Iron of Rome, which most certainly exists in the feet and toes of the image.
 
Now, I will give a grudging nod to my friends Donna and Dave (hey guys!) and allow that it is possible that one of the 10 kingdoms of the Sea Beast might presently be Moslem--Turkey would be my best bet in that regard. But...the continuity of the Iron Legs of Rome into the feet of iron and clay still suggest to me an overwhelmingly European-Roman milieu here.
 
Your brother in Christ,
Matt K. in Hayward, CA