I mentioned in yesterday's post that we'd be focusing on 2 Thessalonians 2:11 today, and dealing with the topic of "the strong delusion". Take a look at verses 8 through 12 (NASB).
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
As I mentioned yesterday, "the lawless one" or "the son of perdition" is generally deemed to be the person elsewhere referred to in scripture as The Antichrist. Most Bible scholars agree that he will come to world power at the beginning of the 7-year period known as The Tribulation. At the end of that period, the Lord Jesus will physically return to Earth and "slay him with the breath of his mouth". Isn't that an amazing thought?
It is plain in verses 10-12 that Paul is referring to those people who have rejected (did not receive) the love of the truth. In other words, these are people who have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only that, but these people took pleasure in their wickedness. This group is obviously not the true Church of Jesus Christ. Whether you believe that The Rapture of the Church has occurred prior to this time or not is irrelevant, because whether the Church is still present on Earth or not, Paul is talking about those who have rejected Christ.
Upon those people God will allow a strong delusion to fall. Already spiritually blind, they will become even more deceived, mesmerized by the Antichrist and his Satanic antics. They will blindly follow him, even though judgments of God are falling upon the earth, even though their "house" is caving in all around them. The judgments will serve only to harden their hearts all the more. {This is one passage used by some to support their belief that it will be impossible for people to be saved during the Tribulation period (the "Left Behind" series notwithstanding!) }
So what is "the lie"? What is this "strong delusion"? Well, at it's most foundational, the lie is that Jesus Christ is not who He claims to be. All of Satan's lies have this at their foundation, along with "God's word is not true." Look at the first lie told in the Garden of Eden: "Did God really say that?"
But, beyond that, many have speculated about the form this delusion will take. As I was sitting here typing this post I got an alert on my phone from Fox News: "Discovery of Earth-like planet with a sun like our own." Hm-m-m-m....what odd timing! I was just about to state my personal belief, which is that the delusion will be that we sprang from an alien race, and that they have returned to affirm that fact. Ok, now before you go thinking that I've lost it, think about this....
The seeds of this are already being sown. Discoveries about DNA have disproven Darwinism. It is truly no longer tenable. If you listen closely to atheistic scientists, they are speculating (because they desperately NEED another false narrative) that an alien race created the Earth and all life that is in it. All that is needed is for those "aliens" to show up and "reveal" themselves as our creators. Perhaps this is part of what "the restrainer", spoken of earlier in this passage, is holding back?
Paul immediately follows this pronouncement of doom with words of comfort and assurance for the Thessalonian believers.
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2 Thess. 2:13-17
This passage reinforces the belief of some that the true Church will not go through the Tribulation period. Will Christians experience persecution? Yes, they have and are and will. But, even though many have been and will be martyred for their faith, the Tribulation period will be a time when God's judgment is poured out on the Earth and all who dwell in it. Over and over we are told in Scripture that Jesus Christ's Beloved is not marked for God's wrath, but for salvation. This passage, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 speaks to me as affirming that position. Paul seems to be saying, "This is not the time of the Lord's Return, that period of Tribulation, although you are now being persecuted. God has marked you for salvation; so, stand firm in your faith during this intense time of trial which you are experiencing."
Ah well, many will disagree. As always, search the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. What we need to focus on is Paul's admonition to "stand firm" in our faith and to be ready for His return, whenever that may be.
Father, although it is clear that many things remain a mystery to us now, in due time all will be made plain. In the meantime, empower us by Your Holy Spirit to stand firm, and to walk....resplendent! In Jesus' name, amen.
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