Believing the Delusion

Believing the Delusion

2 Thessalonians ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 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. 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.

 

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Meeting with the new leader, I quickly understood where he stood. He wanted to use his work title to have wild parties at any occasion. I wanted to move up, so I turned my head to the drunken, lewd, insatiable comments to the staff. But then, the requests to make the parties happen left me with a paradox. Either I cave in or get another job.

 

• I really wanted to get a promotion.
• I thought that I could overlook something that was wrong, as long as I wasn’t participating.
• I figured I could remain unstained by “helping out” and ensuring the “bar and the babes” were available after the conventions (my part was to get the business suite someone else did the rest).

 

Paul mentions some very difficult realities revealed to him by the LORD. He spoke about the coming of the False Prophet that was part of the unholy trinity This being will oppose everything JESUS stands for. Unfortunately, there will be some who will believe in his lies and will perish due to “strong delusions.”

 

My Observations

• JESUS is the only Savior for me to put my trust in.
• Lies, deception and twisted thinking will be exposed by JESUS, so I must confess to HIM I need HIM.
• Receiving the “love of the truth” may be difficult for me, because sometimes my desires match what the world has to offer.

 

What is scary is GOD allowing people to believe in lies and deceit. I mean, can’t GOD just make everyone believe in HIM? HE doesn’t seem to work that way. In fact, HE created humans to have “free will” which is the only condition where love can exist. GOD doesn’t coerce anyone to love HIM, It has to be voluntary.

 

JESUS volunteered to be a sacrifice and save humanity from death. This was a very difficult thing to do and may have been very hurtful to the FATHER. BUT HE allowed it. HE wants all to believe but it has to be a choice. I gladly believe in JESUS and accept the truth of HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer speak of when he says “GOD will send them strong delusion?”
• Is there something that you have done or believed in that later you realized was wrong?
• Will you examine your beliefs and see if they align to the salvation, love and truth of JESUS today?