I think the beast could be a human. I stated it in post #4 "That's a good point. The issue I have in understanding this aspect of Revelation, is the beast a human, and will be indwelt by satan, or just a demon in human form with satan directing him."
The reason I think he not just an ordinary human, is Revelation 13:13 "13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,"
This, in at least one interpretation, means he has supernatural powers. I guess like the believers of Jesus, that could drive demons out of people?
The reason I think satan will indwell a human, for this grand finale, is worship. It's satan's last chance to receive worship, now out in the open and united, before going into the abyss for 1000 years. Why would he want to miss his last chance to receive worship by all of the earth dwellers, and let someone else receive that worship, when it's been satan's work this whole time that gets them there?