And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrightousness.
2 Thess. 2:11-12
LET IT GLOW
If you are old enough, you will remember the television show named Truth or Consequences. Gary Moore was the host. There was a panel of three or four people who judged three guests who had a given senerio. Among these three were two who tried to convince the panel that they were telling the truth about who they were, only pretending to be the star, actually telling lies. The star person was the only one who was telling the truth, either about themselves and what happened to them. Thus, the panel of judges had to decide which person was telling the truth. Of course, we at home would try to guess, too. In a nutshell, we were all deceived or believed a delusion.
Paul is saying there will come a time when God will allow those who received not the love of the truth and be saved, to believe the lies, love sin rather than the gospel truth. They will think the Antichrist is actually telling the truth, but in reality, he won't be.
I had to look up the word delusion. According to Webster's Dictionary, it is a false belief. According to Thayer's Lexicon, it means wandering; a straying about, whereby one, led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither; error, wrong opinions relative to morals or religion.
David Guzik said, "In the end, the Antichrist is only God's messenger. God has judgment to bring, and He will send...a strong delusion through the Antichrist. God won't force this delusion on anyone, but those who don't receive the love of the truth will receive this strong delusion. God sends them the lie. This isn't just any lie, but the lie that's enthralled the human race since Adam. This is the lie that God is not God and we can be gods." (my emphasis)
So you may ask, like me, what is the good in all of this? I believe Christians, the Church, will not be here during this time. That we will be raptured out of this world. Even though spiritual and moral darkness will be on the earth during the man of lawlessness's reign, there will be a day when the Light of the World will return. (see Romans 1)
As Charles Swindoll said, "Tyranny will be dethroned...darkness dispelled...and the glory of the Lord will bathe the earth in goodness, beauty, and truth"
It is a relief and a time for gratitude. We followers and believers in Christ will experience a joyful ride up to eternity.
LET IT GROW
As verse 12 says, these people who follow the Antichrist will be condemned, too. Their fate will be sealed because they follow Satan and his counterfeit Christ. They will be left to the consequences of their sin.
David Guzik said, "As God gives rebellious man the lie he desires, it isn't out of His generosity. Instead, it shows God's judgment on those who reject the truth. As Romans 1 points out, this God giving man up to the depravity of his heart, his pleasure in unrighteousness."
To me, it sounds like all He has to do for this to happen is God removes His Holy Spirit. These people will already be in a sinful state, depravity.Whether they set themselves up as gods or set the Antichrist up as god, either way, they are rejecting the Jesus Christ as The Way, The Truth, and The Life, and as the only one Savior.
Beware if I have pleasure in unrighteousness. Let us guard our minds, our souls dear friend, filling us with God's Word and loving Spirit.
Liberty Bible Commentary states:The Greek word eudokeo, for pleasure in unrighteousness, means to "make a decision about what is right." The decision was their; they decided for unrighteousness rather than righteousness and God. The result is that they are condemned, lost!
LET IT GO
Stay at the feet of Jesus, in His Word, so I know what the turth is and not have to pay the consequences.
Help others know The Truth.
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