The Mystery of Lawlessness: What is it?

[Alfred Persson]

The Mystery of Lawlessness: What is it?

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. (2 Thess. 2:7 NKJ)

In Blight's Exegetical Summary of Thessalonians four answers compete for belief:

QUESTION—How are the nouns related in the genitive construction τὸ μυστήριον τῆς ἀνομίας ‘the mystery of lawlessness’?
1. ‘Mystery’ refers to a secret, hidden activity or operation which is lawless [EGT, HNTC, NCBC, NIC, Rb, SSA, WBC, Wd]: the secret lawless activity. It is a secret rebellion, but it is known to Christians [HNTC].
2. Lawlessness is the content of the mystery [Alf, Ea, El, Hb, ICC, My, TH]: the mystery concerning the lawlessness. ‘Mystery’ means facts that cannot be known unless they are revealed [Hb, TH]. The force of lawlessness is already at work in a hidden way, but it will become known when the man of lawlessness is revealed.-Blight, R. C. (2008). An Exegetical Summary of 1 & 2 Thessalonians (2nd ed., p. 215). SIL International.

If Sherlock Holmes were investigating this he would focus on two major clues: 1)This "secret power of lawlessness" (NIV) was "already at work" as Paul wrote; 2) When its restraint was lifted "then the lawless one will be revealed" (2 Thess. 2:8).

Sherlock would focus on the secret power inspiring the fraudulent prophecy, speech and letter that caused rebellion against God's Truth about the Day of Christ, which alarmed the Thessalonians. In context Paul identifies Satanic Energy (energeia) as the "working" that caused the great deception that permitted the revelation of the "Lawless One":

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thess. 2:9-10 NKJ)

Confirming "Satanic Energy" is the "secret power of lawlessness" against Christ's truth (comp. Matthew 7:21-23), is the antithesis Paul creates when he juxtapositions those under the sway of the "secret power of lawlessness" and those Sanctified by the Holy Spirit who have been inspired to love God's Truth the Bible and therefore remain steadfast in apostolic doctrine:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. (2 Thess. 2:9-15 N


What is the "mystery of lawlessness?" Its the demonic spirits inspiring false prophecy, lying speech and letters claiming to be apostolic.

This secret power was also working through Hymenaeus and Philetus who also taught the rapture/resurrection had passed:

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:16-18 NKJ)

God Will Allow the Strong Delusion of the Antichrist Test the Earth | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net And for this reason God will send them strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie, (2 Thess. 2:11 NKJ) God sends "the energy of delusion" so those who did not receive love of God's Truth (the Bible) will believe "the...

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[for_his_glory]

The Man of Lawlessness/son of perdition, last antichrist

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 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.
2Th 2:3 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;
2Th 2:4 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.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 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:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

[Alfred Persson]

The Man of Lawlessness/son of perdition, last antichrist

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 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.
2Th 2:3 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;
2Th 2:4 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.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 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:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Correct, but you didn't explain how the "mystery of lawlessness" enables the "lawless One" to be revealed.

6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (2 Thess. 2:6-8 NKJ)

 

[for_his_glory]

Correct, but you didn't explain how the "mystery of lawlessness" enables the "lawless One" to be revealed.

6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (2 Thess. 2:6-8 NKJ)

The mystery will be revealed when he takes his seat in Jerusalem and then all will know who this beast is. As for now it remains a mystery to those who have no knowledge.

 

[Alfred Persson]

The mystery will be revealed when he takes his seat in Jerusalem and then all will know who this beast is. As for now it remains a mystery to those who have no knowledge.

I don't agree. In context lifting restraint on the "mystery" or "secret power off lawlessness" leads to the "revelation" (apocalypse) of the "lawless One":

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed (601 ἀποκαλύπτω apokalupto), whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. (2 Thess. 2:7-8 NIV)

To illustrate by analogy: Ropes restrain King Kong until they are removed, then everyone sees the danger and runs for their lives.

The restraint on the "secret power" that fuels apostasy is lifted, then the "great falling away" (646 ἀποστασία apostasia) occurs, Christendom receives the Man of Sin (False Christ) as "the Christ":

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away (646 ἀποστασία apostasia) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thess. 2:3-4 NKJ)

The "secret power of lawlessness" is the "satanic energy" that inspired the false prophecy the Day of Christ had already come, that upset the Thessalonians. It was already working, but Paul says in the End Time it will be fully unrestrained:

NKJ 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thess. 2:1-2 NKJ)

Satanic energy "telepathically influences people to believe lies". The entire world is being deceived by Satanic power (1 John 5:19), their minds "blinded" to the truth of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). For example: The strong delusion of Evolution is believed even though we are surrounded by evidence everything is created by an infinitely intelligent God.

 

[for_his_glory]

I don't agree. In context lifting restraint on the "mystery" or "secret power off lawlessness" leads to the "revelation" (apocalypse) of the "lawless One":

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed (601 ἀποκαλύπτω apokalupto), whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. (2 Thess. 2:7-8 NIV)

To illustrate by analogy: Ropes restrain King Kong until they are removed, then everyone sees the danger and runs for their lives.

The restraint on the "secret power" that fuels apostasy is lifted, then the "great falling away" (646 ἀποστασία apostasia) occurs, Christendom receives the Man of Sin (False Christ) as "the Christ":

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away (646 ἀποστασία apostasia) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thess. 2:3-4 NKJ)

The "secret power of lawlessness" is the "satanic energy" that inspired the false prophecy the Day of Christ had already come, that upset the Thessalonians. It was already working, but Paul says in the End Time it will be fully unrestrained:

NKJ 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thess. 2:1-2 NKJ)

Satanic energy "telepathically influences people to believe lies". The entire world is being deceived by Satanic power (1 John 5:19), their minds "blinded" to the truth of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). For example: The strong delusion of Evolution is believed even though we are surrounded by evidence everything is created by an infinitely intelligent God.

We have to remember that Satan is a created spirit and needs to work through others in order to build his literal kingdom here on earth as the war in heaven between Michael and Satan has not happened yet, Rev 12:7-12. This will be a Luciferian system of political, economic, environmental, military, educational and false religious power that will sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north which is Jerusalem on the same Temple mount of God where the Dome of the Rock is being refurbished for the son of perdition to take its seat. This power of the beast out of the sea gives power to the beast out of the earth who will control the government of every nation on every continent and even now works its iniquity in the world, Rev 13.

The beast that will rise up out of the sea, as the sea here is symbolic of people and nations as in a sea of humanity, Daniel Chapter 7:1-8; Revelation 17:15, gives power to the beast that comes up out of the earth who is the last antichrist/ false prophet/son of perdition, 2Thessalonians 2:3-12.This beast is a Luciferian system comprised of economic, political, militant, environmental and false religious system. This beast system that Satan works through gives its power to the beast out of the earth as the beast out of the earth appears as the Lamb of God, but is a false Christ being the son of perdition, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 His works are the abomination that causes desolation that Jesus forewarned us of in Matthew 24:15 and Daniel who explained this last of the seven remaining nations that make up the four Empires beginning with Babylon that still exist today as mystery Babylon and has always persecuted God's people from the time of Babylon up to present day unto the end of days, Daniel Chapter 7:1-8; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13; Revelation 17:15. This will be the time of the greatest falling away from truth as this last antichrist, through lying signs and wonders, will promise peace and safety and then sudden destruction comes upon them who bow down and takes the mark of this beast, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.

Jesus said those who will endure in the faith of Christ unto the end the same shall be saved, Matthew 24:13. Satan said, I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (other ruling powers) I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation in the sides of the north (Jerusalem). I will ascend above the clouds, I will be like the Most High, Isaiah 14:12-15. The last antichrist, (as there have been many and even now are in the world), is the son of perdition being the false prophet that Satan works through as he will sit on the sides of the North declaring himself as being God and will cause many to bow down to him and take his mark as many will believe the lying signs and wonders he will show, Rev 13. Again, nowhere in scripture does it capitalize antichrist, but mans misinterpretations capitalize it and makes it one Antichrist that we are to watch for before Christ returns.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 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, showing 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. 11 And 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.

 

[Alfred Persson]

We have to remember that Satan is a created spirit and needs to work through others in order to build his literal kingdom here on earth as the war in heaven between Michael and Satan has not happened yet, Rev 12:7-12. This will be a Luciferian system of political, economic, environmental, military, educational and false religious power that will sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north which is Jerusalem on the same Temple mount of God where the Dome of the Rock is being refurbished for the son of perdition to take its seat. This power of the beast out of the sea gives power to the beast out of the earth who will control the government of every nation on every continent and even now works its iniquity in the world, Rev 13.

The beast that will rise up out of the sea, as the sea here is symbolic of people and nations as in a sea of humanity, Daniel Chapter 7:1-8; Revelation 17:15, gives power to the beast that comes up out of the earth who is the last antichrist/ false prophet/son of perdition, 2Thessalonians 2:3-12.This beast is a Luciferian system comprised of economic, political, militant, environmental and false religious system. This beast system that Satan works through gives its power to the beast out of the earth as the beast out of the earth appears as the Lamb of God, but is a false Christ being the son of perdition, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 His works are the abomination that causes desolation that Jesus forewarned us of in Matthew 24:15 and Daniel who explained this last of the seven remaining nations that make up the four Empires beginning with Babylon that still exist today as mystery Babylon and has always persecuted God's people from the time of Babylon up to present day unto the end of days, Daniel Chapter 7:1-8; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13; Revelation 17:15. This will be the time of the greatest falling away from truth as this last antichrist, through lying signs and wonders, will promise peace and safety and then sudden destruction comes upon them who bow down and takes the mark of this beast, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.

Jesus said those who will endure in the faith of Christ unto the end the same shall be saved, Matthew 24:13. Satan said, I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (other ruling powers) I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation in the sides of the north (Jerusalem). I will ascend above the clouds, I will be like the Most High, Isaiah 14:12-15. The last antichrist, (as there have been many and even now are in the world), is the son of perdition being the false prophet that Satan works through as he will sit on the sides of the North declaring himself as being God and will cause many to bow down to him and take his mark as many will believe the lying signs and wonders he will show, Rev 13. Again, nowhere in scripture does it capitalize antichrist, but mans misinterpretations capitalize it and makes it one Antichrist that we are to watch for before Christ returns.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 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, showing 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. 11 And 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.

We are in general agreement, but I wanted to focus specifically on "the satanic energy of the mystery of lawlessness": "How Satan deceives people". He tempts people "telepathically", and then people become his "tools":

"Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (Lk. 8:12 NKJ)

How exactly does the devil "take the word out of their hearts?" Its revealed in the parable. People hear the gospel and on the way home are thinking about it. The devil comes "and argues against the gospel telepathically." It works on some people, the end up rejecting the gospel, their minds were "blinded to the glory of Christ's truth" by lies:

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 NKJ)

WE all have experienced telepathic temptation, the entire world has:

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Eph. 2:1-3 NKJ)

That is the "energy of delusion". A person is wondering about the gospel and suddenly "thoughts" appear contradicting it, and the person doesn't realize an evil spirit is telepathically "working" (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) against the truth. If the person doesn't reject the "temptation to not believe", the devil has "snatched the word" from their heart, thus blinding their minds to the gospel of Christ.

In the end time God will stop restraining the satanic energy that deceives. People will be "inwardly deceived" by unrestrained satanic energy", it is a powerful "deluding influence:"

RPTE 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;

MIT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 God for that reason will send them a deluding influence that they might believe in sham,

YLT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 and because of this shall God send to them a working of delusion, for their believing the lie,

ROT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And, for this cause, God sendeth them an inworking of error, to the end they should believe in the falsehood,--

People will believe the Antichrist is Christ, despite all the evidences from Scripture he cannot be. Therefore, all who reject the truth of the Bible are condemned because THEY took pleasure in the unrighteous lie, the apostasy from God's Word of Truth:


9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thess. 2:9-12 NKJ)

God Will Allow the Strong Delusion of the Antichrist Test the Earth | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net And for this reason God will send them strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie, (2 Thess. 2:11 NKJ) God sends "the energy of delusion" so those who did not receive love of God's Truth (the Bible) will believe "the...

endtimenews.net

These are the people John thought of when he saw their forerunners leaving his church:

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
(1 Jn. 2:18-19 NKJ)

What did the apostle John reveal when he said: “It is the last hour”? | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net John saw the apostasy of miracle working schismatics leaving his church as fitting Christ's description of the End Time falling away (Mt. 7:22-23; 24:11-12; Mk. 13:22-23) and writes "it is the last hour". What did John mean? Was he speaking...

endtimenews.net

They first accept the "man of sin" as the Christ, and when he morphs into the "Son of perdition" "seed of Satan" they continue to follow him, denying the Father and the Son.

They are the apostates Jesus says will plead they once followed Him, doing signs and wonders in His Name. He will deny that. They never knew Him. Everything they did was by the power of delusion:

22 "Many will say to Me in that day,`Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them,`I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
(Matt. 7:22-23 NKJ)

The Two Phases of Antichrist: Man of Sin and Son of Destruction | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net The Two Phases of The Antichrist: Man of Sin and Son of Destruction Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin (266 ἁμαρτία hamartia), the son of destruction (684...

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[for_his_glory]

We are in general agreement, but I wanted to focus specifically on "the satanic energy of the mystery of lawlessness": "How Satan deceives people". He tempts people "telepathically", and then people become his "tools":

"Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (Lk. 8:12 NKJ)

How exactly does the devil "take the word out of their hearts?" Its revealed in the parable. People hear the gospel and on the way home are thinking about it. The devil comes "and argues against the gospel telepathically." It works on some people, the end up rejecting the gospel, their minds were "blinded to the glory of Christ's truth" by lies:

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 NKJ)

WE all have experienced telepathic temptation, the entire world has:

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Eph. 2:1-3 NKJ)

That is the "energy of delusion". A person is wondering about the gospel and suddenly "thoughts" appear contradicting it, and the person doesn't realize an evil spirit is telepathically "working" (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) against the truth. If the person doesn't reject the "temptation to not believe", the devil has "snatched the word" from their heart, thus blinding their minds to the gospel of Christ.

In the end time God will stop restraining the satanic energy that deceives. People will be "inwardly deceived" by unrestrained satanic energy", it is a powerful "deluding influence:"

RPTE 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;

MIT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 God for that reason will send them a deluding influence that they might believe in sham,

YLT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 and because of this shall God send to them a working of delusion, for their believing the lie,

ROT 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And, for this cause, God sendeth them an inworking of error, to the end they should believe in the falsehood,--

People will believe the Antichrist is Christ, despite all the evidences from Scripture he cannot be. Therefore, all who reject the truth of the Bible are condemned because THEY took pleasure in the unrighteous lie, the apostasy from God's Word of Truth:


9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thess. 2:9-12 NKJ)

God Will Allow the Strong Delusion of the Antichrist Test the Earth | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net And for this reason God will send them strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie, (2 Thess. 2:11 NKJ) God sends "the energy of delusion" so those who did not receive love of God's Truth (the Bible) will believe "the...

endtimenews.net

These are the people John thought of when he saw their forerunners leaving his church:

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
(1 Jn. 2:18-19 NKJ)

What did the apostle John reveal when he said: “It is the last hour”? | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net John saw the apostasy of miracle working schismatics leaving his church as fitting Christ's description of the End Time falling away (Mt. 7:22-23; 24:11-12; Mk. 13:22-23) and writes "it is the last hour". What did John mean? Was he speaking...

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They first accept the "man of sin" as the Christ, and when he morphs into the "Son of perdition" "seed of Satan" they continue to follow him, denying the Father and the Son.

They are the apostates Jesus says will plead they once followed Him, doing signs and wonders in His Name. He will deny that. They never knew Him. Everything they did was by the power of delusion:

22 "Many will say to Me in that day,`Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them,`I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
(Matt. 7:22-23 NKJ)

The Two Phases of Antichrist: Man of Sin and Son of Destruction | End Time News

Discuss this article at EndTimeNewsForum.net The Two Phases of The Antichrist: Man of Sin and Son of Destruction Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin (266 ἁμαρτία hamartia), the son of destruction (684...

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Satan will always temp us to believe his lies and many will fall prey to his deceivableness that have no truth found in them. But it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame, Hebrews 6:4-6.

 

[Alfred Persson]

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (1 Cor. 12:2 KJV)

2–6 In saying that they had been “led astray to dumb idols,” Paul implies that the Corinthians had experienced the effects of evil spirits in their former pagan worship.-Mare, W. H. (1976). 1 Corinthians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, p. 261). Zondervan Publishing House.

The "energy of delusion" (2 Th. 2:11) is telepathic suggestion by demon spirits:

in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo) in the sons of disobedience, (Eph. 2:2 NKJ)

Evil Spirits "work" inwardly to tempt to sin, deceive to belief lies, creating a "strong (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion" falsehood is true:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (1754 ἐνεργέω energeo); only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working (1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong(1753 ἐνέργεια energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:7-12 NKJ)

The Koine Greek word that became "energy" in English is "ἐνέργεια" (energeia). In Greek, "energeia" means "activity" or "operation" and is derived from "ἐνεργός" (energos), meaning "active" or "working."

Everyone walks right into their trap. We all "follow our gut", have specific "feelings" we associate with "truth". Hence the saying "it doesn't feel right". But telepathically demons can suggest ideas, either through voice or image so subtilty we may not notice its from "outside". And if a persons "feelings" react well to the suggestion, then like lambs being led to the slaughter, the evil spirits lead them wherever they want.


"Telepathic suggestions" can inflame the lusts of the body which then entice to sin:

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (Jas. 1:13-15 NKJ)

Note the implication, some victims do notice the suggestion is from "outside" of themselves, but they wrongly think God is the source of the temptation.

James says God cannot be the source, He is Holy and is neither tempted by evil or tempts to do evil.

Therefore, the only external source left would be evil spirits and Satan, as angels of God would never violate God's will.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 Jn. 5:19-21 NKJ)

 

[Alfred Persson]

I don't know the biologics behind a "gut feeling" but I do recall "testing" my own gut feeling for "accuracy" with a simple test. At an intersection I pondered which way God would have me go, right or left.

After a time I "felt good" about going right. So I went left, and as I walked I thought about all the good reasons I had to go left, that it must have been "God's choice." After a time the "same feeling" that "led me to go right", now confirmed going left was the right choice.

That is when I realized my "feelings" were self-generated without any connection to facts and truth.

It is said women on cocaine can feel good about slaughtering their own children. Anyone following "gut feelings" rather than critically thinking on the subject, will make lots of mistakes.

When a believer mistakes his own feelings "for the Lord's leading", he truly is in a world of error and self delusion.

That is why I rely Scripture for truth, and not experiences:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-4:1 NKJ)
For it is written:

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Prov. 14:12 NKJ)