I just think he is a pawn.
And am not sure who the puppeteer really is?
Ultimately it is probably Satan himself.
You said — “Ultimately it is probably Satan himself.”
Yes, that’s the grand conspirator and the one who has the power to do it all. And he will, as the Bible tells us. Of course, God does grant him the power to do so, because God will judge all things at that time, when Satan has put together his “grand plan”...