5. How has Satan intensified his deceptive efforts in this time of the end, and whom has he especially targeted?

⁵ In this time of the end, Satan has intensified his efforts. He has been hurled down to the earth. He knows that his time is short, and he has “great anger.” Determined to bring down as many humans as possible, he “is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9, 12) Satan is not a sporadic deceiver. Rather, he is unrelenting in his efforts to mislead mankind.a He uses every deceptive method in his arsenal​—including trickery and treachery—​to blind the minds of unbelievers and keep them away from God. (2 Corinthians 4:4) This master of deception is especially bent on devouring those who are worshiping God “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:24; 1 Peter 5:8) Never forget that Satan has, in effect, claimed: ‘I can turn anyone away from God.’ (Job 1:9-12) Let us consider some of Satan’s “deceptive tactics” and how to guard against them.​—Ephesians 6:11, Jewish New Testament.