Why did Nebuchadnezzar build the great image?
Nebuchadnezzar built the great image to bring all the worship of the world together and centralize it in himself. He thought by constructing this image he could gather worldwide worship and make himself the focal point of universal adoration and religious allegiance.
Les explains that Nebuchadnezzar thought, "boy, I'll just bring all the worship of the world and centralize it in myself by building this great image." This act serves as a pattern for the tribulation, when the Antichrist and the false prophet will consort together to do basically the same thing. They will amalgamate all the religions of the world and cause people to worship one great image. The false religious leader will say to those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, or of the Antichrist. Les notes that this mirrors Nebuchadnezzar's attempt to centralize worldwide worship in himself.