If he is in the world, why isn't he standing in the temple of God, in Jerusalem, claiming to be God as stated in II Thess 2:1-4? Could it be because he isn't here yet?
“Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
I’d say he’s probably here
“Put on the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:11-13 KJV
if Peter and Paul are correct then it makes perfect sense
“And the
dragon was wroth with the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 12:17
the gospel is the testimony of Christ, in other words the devil is in the earth warring against the church but he’s an evil spirit so to actually do anything to the people he needs wicked men , to fill thier with his intent hearts like
“And supper being ended, the
devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;”
John 13:2
“Then
entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”
Luke 22:3 KJV
That’s why the beast rises in the image of the dragon and ears against the church because Satan turned his wrath on them having lost the war on heaven when Christ was seated in victory now he’s after the. Church who can be saved into the kingdom he no longer has any part in
heaven and
earth
“And there appeared another
wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
…..And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and
her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and
his angels,
And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud
voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the
devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 12:3, 5, 7, 9-10, 12, 17 KJV
If you look then the beast rises looking like the dragon and starts destroying the saints for an appointed time in chapter 13-14 he’s a bunch of chosen powerful men doing satans Will on earth warring against the church
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Revelation 13: