I have been reading Thesolonains. I came across this passage today and found it to be very interesting.
2 Thesolonians 2:7-12
7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
8Then 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;
9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10and 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.
11For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
So, what is this deluding influence? I'm not completely sure but what I am sure of is the only way to avoid it is to engage in God's truth and accepting Jesus as your savior.Thoughts?
3 comments:
Great scripture Mike. I am not sure what this deluding influence will be, but your advice is sound. The only way to avoid possibly being subject to this deluding influence is to draw close to Christ. This can be done by first accepting Christ as your Savior then actively reading your Bible, praying and developing a close relationship with Christ.
Another scripture captures my attention along this same subject and it is Mathew 24:23-25.
23. "Then if anyone says to you, `Behold, here is the Christ,' or `There He is,' do not believe him.
24. "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
25. "Behold, I have told you in advance.
By drawing close to Christ we will be able to recognize those that are false Christs and those who are false teachers. The crazy thing is that this verse clearly says that these false Christs and false prophets will perform signs and wonders that will deceive people, even the elect. If you don't draw near to Christ how can you possibly discern the truth?
Curt
Mike,
The only other time the word "delusion" is used in God's Word is Isaiah 66:4. Please read in context. This might shed some light on the Lord's choosing this word for 2 Thessalonians:
1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Very telling of what the delusion will be. Let those who seek the Lord say, "Let God be magnified."
Jeff
Mike,
Another possibility for the "delusion":
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
(John 16:2)
I realize the context is off, but is there a possibility that folks will believe they are doing God service by turning-in or possibly murdering the saints and Jews in an effort to prepare the world for reaching the state of "global awakening"? After all, fundamentalist Christians kind of put a damper on the "many ways to heaven" lie.
God bless!
Jeff
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