ok.
so here's Paul having to address a real problem!
in this part of the Second Letter to the very same bunch, he's GRAVELY concerned that they have been apparently troubled by
words, or
spirits, or
even a counterfeit letter from him, that The Day of the Lord (the Second Advent) was due at ANY MOMENT, or, "at hand".
it's here we get lots more info on what MUST take place first, and it's here we learn of the son of perdition who will deceive people with LYING SIGNS AND WONDERS.
what should be most disturbing is that Paul makes it extremely clear that God Almighty Himself will send STRONG DELUSION upon some people who received NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH. now, we can debate what may be meant by this in its entirety, but let's take a look at the letter in detail. Paul is adamant that they let absolutely NOTHING deceive them about the
WHEN:
2 Thessalonians 2
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
so, we can see the urgency in letting nothing deceive us about the WHEN.
apparently there will be severe deception, and even worse, God will send strong delusion - there'll be no coming out of that if Father has done it.
so let's get real secure in the WHEN. then we can keeping looking at what they have up their sleeves. we know that there's a ton of stuff in the invisible realm going on, but we can only go forward wearing the gospel armour, following what's written, led by The Spirit, and preparing by watching what we CAN see.
here's one part we want to keep in mind at all times:
for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
we already know that
"a falling away" means apostasy: a departure from THE FAITH. this departure is obviously happening every day. but, Doc, what movement is it we have seen that is luring Christians AWAY from THE FAITH, and into another system?
a system that has publicized it's intention to subdue the entire planet under it. what "thing" could happen to deceive/force Christians into departing from the faith?
i liked your post by Ben Gurion: pretty hard to refute what comes out of the horse's mouth, huh?
love zone.