THE BLATANT, INTENTIONAL EFFORTS TO DECEIVE BELIEVERS
It is abundantly clear in reading Paul's letter to the Thessalonians that various ones were intentionally sending them counterfeit letters. Evil forces were deceiving them and using the Apostles name in such efforts.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 NKJV 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2not 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.
Note the words 'as if from us' Paul's missionary team and his name were affixed to false documents. It became so common that Paul had to verify his epistles to churches with his unique signature.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 NKJV 17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
It is one thing to be truly deceived by forces of evil but, quite another for people to work to openly deceive the public. If believers faced this conspiracy against truth in The Apostles time we can be sure it will gain strength again at the end of this evil age. Paul also says do not be soon shaken. Remain calm about the end of this age predictions. This is the correct advice for all of us as well. Paul says first watch for two crucial events.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sinis revealed, the son of perdition,
The two key events are the apostasy from biblical truth and the revealing of the anti-Christ. People have speculated about who is this man of sin? No doubt, Satan is grooming someone to fulfill this fateful, evil role. But when his identity is revealed we are then in the final countdown to the wonderful return of the Messiah. The word apostasy could also be translated as 'rebellion', therefore it represents a period of time when mankind openly rebels against the true God and His laws.
2 Thessalonians 2:4-5 NKJV 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. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
This lawless man is the adversary of the true God. This man is so blasphemous that he has the gall to sit in the Temple of God as a counterfeit God. Further, most of the world will go along with this deception.
WHY WILL THE WORLD AT THE END OF THE AGE ACCEPT LIES ?
Our society is being taught to not care about corruption and lies. The media is spreading a spirit that says 'no one cares about truth or justice' and it seems to be working.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NKJV 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.
The masses learned to not care about the truth only what they wished to hear or see or believe. Since they no longer loved or honored truth they are easy target for deception to their own destruction. Clerics in many mega churches, especially only speak on popular subjects. They know that many do not wish to hear anything corrective or challenging to what they wish to believe. This apostasy is also a threat to believers as well.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
We all must strive to remain sincere and deeply love the truth. All need to learn to accept correction. God is holding back the full deceptive schemes of the adversary but this will probably change soon.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 NKJV 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.
We must remain repentant and humble and a lover of truth before this wave of apostasy sweeps across the world.
PREPARE NOW TO STAND FIRM AS LAWLESSNESS SPREADS LIKE A PLAGUE
The Apostle Paul sternly warns them to be strong and remain firm in the face of a great falling away from truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 NKJV 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.
God will help us remain strong and faithful. Focus on being with Jesus and His church and He will keep us strong.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-4 NKJV 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
Never forget that God is with us and He is the most powerful being in the universe. Paul's advice to us is to be regular and:
2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
Pace ourselves and then we can never get weary of doing the right thing and watching and waiting patiently on Jesus' return.
DANIEL FURTHER WARNED OF THE LAWLESS ONES DECEPTIVE COMING
Daniel predicts that the beast will corrupt a large group of God's people as he begins his destruction of the truth and the proper use of the Temple of God.
Daniel 11:30-31 NKJV 30 “...therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for thosewho forsake the holy covenant. 31... and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.
This is based on what happened in the past when evil men desecrated THE TEMPLE using flattery and bribed some of the people of God to forsake the true worship of God. The high priest and other leaders were corrupted into betraying the covenant.
Daniel 11:39 WEB 39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whoever acknowledges him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price..
The Beast shall use money and land and flattery to undermine many leaders into accepting lies. He shall undermine the truth among many who are easily bribed as in the past. But the anti-Christ shall come to a sudden destructive end at the hands of Jesus Christ .
Daniel 11:45 WEB 45 He shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Evil delusions and lies will not win in the end and the people of God will shine as stars.
- Resist complacency with regard to the truth while truth is so available.
- Resist superficial understanding of the Bible- knowing that depth will be needed someday.
