Some questions regarding 2Thessalonians have been brought up. The non-bold text below shows the post questions. Also, the Scripture below is what was posted, which I believe is from the NIV. 2Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and DESTROY by the splendor of his coming.
The letter goes on speaking about how Satan deceives those that ”will perish because they refuse to love the truth...”. God sends non believers a ”delusion” so they believe the lies and in turn be condemned. My question is what could this ”powerful delusion” be? If they are already non believers why the delusion? Aren’t they already condemned by their delight in wickedness?
Paul is addressing believers; he is commending them, and also letting them know he prays for them and gives thanks for them:
Their faith is growing abundantly
Their love for the brethren is increasing
They are steadfast in enduring persecution and affliction
They are faithful (trusting in God) in enduring persecution and affliction
Paul goes on to tell them that these characteristics are evidence that they are worthy of the Kingdom of God! He also encourages them that relief, total relief, from persecution and affliction is coming – but it is coming at the return of Christ. When Jesus returns He will have His “mighty angels” with Him. There is vengeance coming, and this vengeance is an eternal destruction. It is an eternal punishment from the presence of the Lord that is coming to those who do not obey the Gospel. We see later in the chapter that these people “refused to love the Truth and so be saved” – they “did not believe the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness”. Two crucial points here:
They were aware of the Truth, but they did not believe it, they preferred the pleasure of sin
God’s ways are above our ways – whether He chooses to save some and not others, is not for us to sort out the why (See Romans 9) – instead it should leave us in awe and thankfulness that He saved us
Paul warned that there will be deception, those trying to convince people that the Lord has already returned. Paul indicates, before Jesus returns, there is someone else that will come on the scene. This person will be empowered by Satan, he will show false signs, wonders, and wicked deception. This person will exalt himself against EVERY so-called god or object of worship. He will sit in the temple of God and proclaim himself to be God. This means he will rise up against false gods, false religions, AND God. He will demand worship. It is likely that the rise to power for this “lawless one” will result in the ones that “refused to love the Truth”, the ones “that did not believe”, the ones “that loved unrighteousness” – they will worship the lawless one. Whether that be the case are not, God has shown Paul, who has communicated to us, that God will send them “a strong delusion” that they “may believe what is false”. Why did He send the “strong delusion” since they already didn’t believe? I am not sure, maybe, as with Sodom and Gomorrah, He had enough. I know that just because I don’t understand why God does something doesn’t mean I matter – His ways are above my ways. Just because I don’t understand how a motorcycle works doesn’t keep me from enjoying the ride.What is the delusion? I don’t know. Aren’t they already condemned? AbsolutelyThe ultimate point is, Jesus will DESTROY the “lawless one”, the non-believers, and Satan. We are called to stand firm through it all – keep the faith.
This is sooo heavy. I find myself having to read through many things, many times to try to gather understanding.
It has me pondering life today(current time). Can strong delusion lead someone to the right path? So often in life I have seen someone catch themselves just before reaching the bottom. It seems they have different ideas of what the “bottom” is, but all say they had to get there before they could figure it out. They all seem to think they’re where they want to be until they don’t anymore. Sometimes something bad happens to them, sometimes it’s a friend. Sometimes it’s just a revelation...not necessarily something bad, but a shift. Something wakes them up.
If we know the story of this delusion, could witnessing it in action wake us up?
Many will have a stronger comment brother. My experience I for sure wouldn’t equate with a “delusion”. I experienced an awakening! God decided I was ready to see and hear the Truth! Now it’s EVERYWHERE throughout each day. Odd and seemingly insignificant occurrences I am blessed with. Some seem negative to start but later turn out to have a purpose. I think my neck and face muscles are are on roids from the amount of times I snap my head up and look to the heavens with an ear to ear smile, knowing that God has done His will! The homosexual question leaves me here...there are many and mutual friends of ours that are homosexuals. I know God’s position on the subject because He has told us. (Sorry I can’t give you the biblical location but it’s in there!! Lol) I believe this person could have participated in the wedding but most definitely shouldn’t shoulder a guilty conscience for choosing not to. Like I said, others will be obviously more eloquent and have a stronger biblical education to support their response. That’s just mine off the cuff with Jesus peaking over my shoulder. 😁
Hi Everyone!
Just catching up on the replies and wanted to touch on something. I texted Tom to ask where the homosexual comment came from - seemed out of nowhere :) - he confirmed that Mark asked or mentioned something about it on an earlier post.
I would like to hit a handful of bullet points on this if that's OK:
1) Romans 1, 1 Timothy 1, and 1 Corinthians 6 all hit on homosexuality
2) Romans 1 talks about foolish hearts being darkened and hardened - basically spiraling from bad to worse - part of that bad to worse (in some cases) is men burning with desire for men and women for women. This seems to be a "giving over" to wickedness. Without God's staying hand we are ALL capable of more evil than we know
3) 1Corinthians speaks of the "unrighteous not inheriting eternal life" - among other things, it lists homosexuality as one of those "things"
4)1Timothy speaks of using the Law properly. The intent of the Law is to expose the sinner to their sin. I was at a "rah rah" meeting for conservatives years ago (actually Mark was there too) and the speaker was hammering on homosexuals. This is an example of a poor use of the Law. The speakers intent (supposedly) was to preach the Gospel; however, if that was truly the intent, I would think he would have used something that would be more likely to convict the crowd of conservatives - like "if your cheating on your taxes your sinning" - rather than bash homosexuals. The Law must be used as it was intended, to shine the light of Truth on a sinner - as a mirror shows us who we are physically, the mirror of God's Law shows us who we are spiritually
5) To say a person is wired to be homosexual or is born that way may or may not be right. Whether this is true or not, we know this excuse is used to justify the lifestyle. If we use this reasoning in the life of a heterosexual we could say, "I was wired to love blonds, brunettes, red heads, ALL WOMEN, therefore don't judge me if I want to run around and have sex with all, I was born this way". The Bible makes it clear, "all fornicators will have their part in the lake of fire". This puts most people, if not all, homosexual or heterosexual, in the SAME EXACT BOAT. What boat? The boat that needs Jesus to pay for and save them from the consequences of their sin!
6) If the promiscuous heterosexual OR the practicing homosexual does not see their lifestyle as sin, then there is nowhere else for the conversation to go on the subject. The Holy Spirit must convict them of their sin before they see it as sin. If they see it as sin, then they are ready for the command to repent and believe the Gospel. If they DO see their sin as sin, repentance has already started since repentance is a "change of mind" - but it doesn't end their. Their mind also needs to be changed in such a dramatic way that they abandon the sinful life and turn to Christ for cleansing, forgiveness, and salvation. They will trust in Jesus alone to save. Jesus said, "repent and believe the Gospel"
7) Lastly - if someone doesn't see their sexual lifestyle (promiscuous heterosexual or practicing homosexual) as sin, we can still address other sin that the Lord may use to convict and convert the soul - like lying or stealing. There is NO DOUBT that a soul that has been converted will NOT continue in sin; therefore, if the Lord uses someone's history of stealing to convict them and they are converted and following Christ, eventually the Lord will convict them of their sexual sin as well. I like what I heard a preacher say last week, "our job in sharing the Gospel is like a waiter, he need to deliver it without spilling it" - in other words, we don't add to it, or take anything away, we simply present it, as Paul said, without "eloquent words". First - we are sinners (then get specific) Second - the consequences of our sin are eternal - eternal punishment in hell Third - "but God, being rich in mercy" sent His Son to live the perfect life, die a brutal death, bear the sins of the world and the Wrath of God, rise on the third day, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life - it is a legal transaction, He takes all your wickedness and nails it to the Cross where it's "paid for" and gives you His perfect Righteousness