Dear John and Doves
Many agree that the enemy knows Bible prophecy well, the rapture, The Covenant with Many etc. What is amazing, no matter how he may try to thwart God's purposes, He only keeps fulfilling them. Like those clever battle field manuvers, One side sets a trap for the other, who then cannot help but to fall into it. Even with all their battlefield knowledge and intelligence the trap is so well laid, that too the enemy it looks like the perfect opportunity. Everything tells them yes this is our moment we must take advantage it .... He directs the steps of Kings... I would say as the enemy has an understanding of prophecy fulfilment, they must reason some how that they are doing it on their terms. If this being their logic, you could say they are doing all this with absolute intent. But what for? to bring everything to the point of the ultimate confrontation. Knowing that at the time they try to seize ultimate control, Jesus Himself will decsend with the armies of heaven. Why knowingly do this, they believe that they can change what prophecy says about the final out come. That they will be able to win this battle and have sovereign reign over all the earth. But instead once again, what no foresight, no planning or scheming could ever see, is  that they will be completely out manoeuvred, just as in every other battle. For God having put hooks in their mouths has drawn them at such a time and place, that they will witness nothing more than their very own demise. There are a number of prophesies  that those who have given allegiance to the devil are strongly blinded too, one such is Revelation 12:12 He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short. I take it he knows but they don't, that ultimately he is doomed, and they along with him.
Maranatha
Paul H