The missional imperative of the church is to preach the Gospel to the unsaved and teach the people of God the Word of God.  This divine mandate is not without its problems because the devil ever seeks to hinder the Gospel.  Church History teaches that when a servant of God cannot go on the Word of God does not stop.  The world is being caused to pass away by the power of God, and the devil knows this to be true.  Unlike many theologians, the devil knows that the Word of God is real.  The devil knows that he cannot stop the plan of God, therefore he seeks to hinder his plan.