What reason is given for public worship of the dragon?
Revelation 13:4 (ESV)
4And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
The reason is that the dragon had given his authority to the beast. That bent to evil, which characterizes the fallen human heart, means that people are happy to embrace whatever (illegitimate) authority the dragon can give.
4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”