That They All Might be Damned 2 Thessalonians 2:12

Paul the apostle told the Thessalonian church members because people “receive not the love of the truth”, “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” Although the Lord Jesus desires that everyone have a relationship with the Heavenly Father through Him, some will reject His offer, and in chapter two and verse twelve of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul shared they will “all” “be damned” so doing so. We read:

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The verse begins, “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,...” Paul continued his thought concerning those who “receive not the love of the truth” as he wrote, “That they”, which refers to these rejecting ones, “all” which means “” “might be damned” which means “separated, put asunder, picked out, selected, chosen, pronounced judgment upon and subject to censure and punishment” “who believed not” or “did not think to be true, were not persuaded of, did not put confidence in or trust” “the truth” which is “that which is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man both morally and religiously and the truth as taught in the Christian religion respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ Jesus”. The result and consequence of “not believing the truth” of God, will be damnation and separation from Him.

The verse goes on to say, “...but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Paul went on to add, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, with exception and restriction” “had pleasure” or “thought it good, determined, decided and willingly preferred, were favorable to and chose” “in unrighteousness” which means “injustice and iniquity which includes deeds which violate laws and morality which are wrongful and unjust”. Rather than believe “the truth” of God, people will follow after and enjoy “unrighteous” acts which violate the law of God.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we see the manifestation of those who believe the “strong delusion” today. Many act as thought there will be no judgment or accounting for the behavior they display, but according to Paul, “damnation” lie ahead. The very fact that God included this in His word should be a warning for all who read. “Damnation” not have to be one's fate, and the way to prevent being separated from the Lord Jesus is to “believe the truth”. God loves everyone, and His desire is for “everyone” to be saved. However, He will honor and respect a person's rejection of Him, and those who refuse to “believe” His truth will suffer the consequences. May all who read these words take heed, and should anyone find themselves outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ, let them turn to Him today, believe His truth, and find that “damnation” shall never be in their future.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how they were “chosen to salvation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Strong Delusion 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Paul the apostle told the Thessalonian church member “the day of Christ” would not come until the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” be revealed. This “antichrist's” “coming will be after the working of Satan”, and he will deceive people “with all power and lying wonders”. Because people did not receive “the love of the truth” of Jesus Christ, “that they might be saved”, these people will “perish”, and in chapter two and verse eleven of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul shares how “God shall send them strong delusion” so they will “believe a lie” where we read:

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

The verse begins, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,...” Paul continued his though about those who do not receive “the love of the truth” with the words, “and for this cause” which means “for this reason, on account of and therefore” “God” who is “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “shall send” or “bid a thing to be carried to on, thrust or insert a thing into another” “them” which refers to those who reject “the love of the truth” “strong” which is the Greek word “energeia” and means “working, efficiency and superhuman power” “delusion” which means “wandering, straying such as mental straying, error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion, wrong acting and that which leads into error, deceit or fraud”. When people reject “the love of the truth”, God will “send them” a powerful deception that leads them into error and wrong opinions related to morals and religion.

The verse goes on to say, “...that they should believe a lie:” Paul went on to explain why “God shall send them strong delusion” as he wrote, “that they” which refers to those who reject “the love of the truth” “should believe” or “think to be true, be persuaded of, credit and place confidence in” “a lie” which means “a conscious and intentional falsehood which is perverse, impious and filled with deceitful precepts”. The result of God sending this “strong delusion” will be that people will “be persuaded of” and convinced that this “lie” is the truth.

When we stop to think about Paul's words, we begin to understand the result of rejecting God's truth. People who reject God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, will be offered an alternative “strong delusion”, and they will follow after it with all their being. They will swear they have the real truth, and they will be following “a lie”. Anyone who rejects Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is being offered “a strong delusion” even today. There is no other way to salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by me”. The apostle Peter also said in Acts chapter four and verse twelve, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”. If people reject the name of Jesus, they will receive “a lie”, and be prone to follow after it. May all who read these words beware, and turn to “God's truth” before the “strong delusion” comes and is believed in their lives.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians about those who will “be damned who believe not the truth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Deceivableness of Unrighteousness 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Paul the apostle desired for the Thessalonians to know about the “man of sin” and “son of perdition” because “the day of Christ” was not to come until he was revealed. The “coming” of this “antichrist” “is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders”, and in chapter two and verse eleven of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul told them about the “deceivableness of unrighteousness” which shall be “in them that perish” where we read:

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The verse begins, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;” Paul began with the phrase, “And with all” which means “by or in each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “deceivableness” or “deceit or delusion” “of unrighteousness” which means “injustice or a deed violating law and justice” “in them that perish” which refers to “those who are to be destroyed, lost and ruined”. With “deceit” and “injustice” the “man of sin” will delude those who follow him, and the final result will be “destruction” and “ruin” for them.

The verse goes on to say, “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Paul continued with the word, “because” which means “for that, for this cause and on account of or instead” “they received not” or “they did not take hold of, receive, get or learn” “the love” which is the Greek word “agapē” and means “affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly and unconditional love” “of the truth” or “what is true, real, in fact, certain and the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ” “that they” which refers to “those who have been deceived in unrighteousness” “might be saved” which means “kept safe and sound, rescued from danger and destruction, preserved and delivered from the penalties of the Messianic judgment”. “Because” people will reject the “love of the truth” and believe powerful “signs and lying wonders” of the “man of sin”, they will be deceived and follow after “unrighteousness”. This will cause their ultimate doom as they face the judgment of the Messiah Jesus Christ who offers “rescue” and “preservation” through salvation before the day of judgment comes.

When we consider these words of Paul, we cannot help but wonder why people would be “deceived” by such an individual as the “antichrist”. However, there will be those who reject the “love of God” and His plan of Salvation through Jesus Christ. This will lead them to deception “of unrighteousness” and will eventually lead them to destruction. This does not have to be. Jesus Christ offers forgiveness of sins, a relationship with the Heavenly Father and the promise of a “saved” life with Him for eternity. He died on the cross to save people from their sins, and He rose from the grave to demonstrate His victory of death, hell and the grave. Those who believe in, rely upon, trust in and cling to Jesus and His provision for salvation will never face the doom which lies ahead for those who reject Him. May we examine our relationship with Him, and should we find ourselves outside of a “love” relationship with Jesus, let us align ourselves with His way before we are deceived and find ourselves as those who will “perish”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians “God shall send them strong delusion” because they did not receive “the love of the truth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

After the Working of Satan 2 Thessalonians 2:9

As Paul the apostle began to share with the Thessalonians about the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” who is the “antichrist”, he reveal that Jesus will “consume” him “with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy” him “with the brightness of his coming”. This “antichrist” will be allowed on the scene by the Holy Spirit before “the day of Christ”, and many will follow after him. In chapter two and verse nine of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells how this “man of sin” has “all power and signs and lying wonders” because his “coming is after the working of Satan” where we read:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power and signs and lying wonders,

The verse begins, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan...” Paul began with the words, “Even him whose” which is one Greek word “hos” and refers to “the man of sin who is” “coming” which means “will arrive, be present or advent” “is after” or “down from, through out, according to, toward and along” “the working” which is the Greek word “engergeia” and means “efficiency, energy, operation and strong working” “of Satan” who is “the adversary of God and Christ and the name given to the prince of evil spirits”. “Satan incites apostasy from God and to sin, circumvents men by his wiles, causes the worshippers of idols to be under his control, and by his demons he is able to take possession of men and inflict them with diseases”. The “son of perdition” will have efficiency and energy from “Satan” himself when he is revealed upon the earth.

The verse goes on to say, “...with all power and signs and lying wonders,...” Paul added, “with all power” which means “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone of the inherent powers to perform miracles, influence through riches and wealth, armies, forces and hosts” “and signs” or “marks or tokens portending remarkable events soon to happen and miracles” “and lying” or “conscious and intentional falsehood, perversity, impious and deceitful precepts” “wonders” which are “things which are strange as to cause it to be watched or observed, a prodigy, portent or miracles”. This “man of sin” will have the “workings” of “Satan” and be able to demonstrate them with powerful miracles, predictions and deceptive “wonders”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we may wonder about the “power” given to this “man of sin”. The “antichrist” will be revealed before “the day of Christ”, and his purpose will be to “deceive” as many people as possible. Those who are prone to evil will follow after him easily because this “man of sin” through the power of Satan will be able to perform great predictions and miracles which cause everyone to “wonder”. The bride of Christ, which means those who “rely upon, trust in and cling to Jesus Christ”, will not be on the earth to see the unveiling of this “son of perdition”, however, there will be people who will believe in, trust in and rely upon this “man of sin”. “Satan” will give this man his power, and those who follow after him are destined for eventual and eternal doom. We must warn everyone concerning this “man of sin”, and as Paul the apostle described him to the Thessalonians, let us not only warn, but also lead people to a relationship with Jesus Christ which will keep them from being deceived by him.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians why people follow this “man of sin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

That Wicked Revealed 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Paul told the Thessalonian church member “the mystery of iniquity” was “already” working which means people are “already” drawn to wickedness and evil, and when “he who now lets will let” or when the Holy Spirit allows it, the “son of perdition” will be revealed and people will follow him as well. In chapter two and verse eight of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul continued with his thought as he shared concerning “that Wicked” being “revealed” and subsequently destroyed where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,...” Paul began with the phrase, “And then” or “also, even and indeed at that time” “shall that Wicked be revealed” which is the Greek phrase “apokalyptō anamos apokalyptō” which means “the uncovering, unveiling, disclosing and making bare of the one who is destitute, departing and a violator of the law ”, “whom the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God, the Messiah” “shall consume” which means “expend, use up and destroy” “with the spirit” or “wind and breath” “of his mouth” which refers to “the opening in the front of the face through which a person speaks”. In other words, when the Holy Spirit of God “allows” this “man of sin” and “son of perdition” to be revealed, the Lord will shortly thereafter “consume” him with the simple “breath” of his mouth.

The verse goes on to say, “...and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” Paul added, “and shall destroy” or “render idle, unemployed, inactive, inoperative and deprive of force, influence and power” “with the brightness” which means “appearance” “of his coming” or “presence, arrival and advent”. Paul's idea is that Jesus' coming and appearance will cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul and abolish any power the “son of perdition” may have on the earth.

When we think about Paul's words, we should rejoice over the power of the “coming of the Lord”. No matter how powerful the “man of sin”, “son of perdition” and “antichrist” may be upon the earth, the simple “breath” or “word” of God shall dispel him. Jesus will come again, and all the power that has been gained by this “man of sin” will be gone in an instant. The Lord will “destroy, annihilate and abolish” all that he is and gains with His appearance, and the earth shall again be under the complete control of Jesus. As we ponder these glorious thoughts, let us with John the apostle echo the words, “even so, come, Lord Jesus”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how the “son of perdition's coming” “is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Mystery of Iniquity 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Paul the apostle reminded the Thessalonian church members “the day of Christ” would not come until that “man of sin” or “son of perdition” is revealed. He previously shared these things with them in person so they knew “what withholds that he might be revealed in his time”. In chapter two and verse seven of this second letter to them, Paul shared concerning “the mystery of iniquity” where we read:

For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now lets will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

The verse begins, “For the mystery of iniquity does already work:” Paul began with the words, “For the mystery” which means “because, since, even and indeed the hidden thing, secret, and not obvious to the understanding” “of iniquity” or “the condition of without, ignorant and violating law or wickedness” “does already work” which in Greek is the phrase “energeō ēdē energeō” and means “to be operative, put forth power, aid, to effect or display one's activities”. Paul basically shared how it is a “mystery” of how people are drawn to “iniquity”. Rather than seeking after goodness and truth, many are attracted to that which is evil and false.

The verse goes on to say, “only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.” Paul continued, “only he who now” which means “the solo and alone one who just now at this moment and at this very time” “lets” or “holds back, detains, retains and hinders” “will let until” which means “will hold back, detain, retain and hinder till, as far as and as long” “he be taken” or “come into existence, begin to be, come to pass and happen” “out of” or “from, by and away from” “the way” which means “the middle, midst of and among”. Paul's idea is for the Holy Spirit to be “taken out of the way”. Though He will continue to be active, the Holy Spirit will not hinder the work of the “man of sin” or “son of perdition”, and people will be attracted to this evil man even as they are to evil itself.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we begin to understand the attraction of people to the “antichrist”. Since they are already prone to seek after things that are evil, they will be inclined to be drawn to this “son of perdition” as well. The Holy Spirit will “step aside” and allow this “man of sin” to flourish on the earth before “the day of Christ”, and there will be many who will follow him. We must guard our own lives from the attraction of “sin” and keep in our minds how the Lord Jesus knows all of these things well before their actual appearance. May all who have ears hear what the Spirit is saying to the Thessalonians through Paul the apostle.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians what happens when “that Wicked” is “revealed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

What Withholds 2 Thessalonians 2:6

Paul the apostle reminded the Thessalonian church members concerning “the day of Christ” and the revelation of “the man of sin and son of perdition” that was to come beforehand. He told them about these things when he was with them in person, and in chapter two and verse six of his second letter to them, he brought back the memory of “what withholds” “the day of Christ” from coming. We read:

And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time.

The verse begins, “And now you know what withholds...” Paul began with the words, “And now you know” which means “see, perceive, notice, discern and discover” “what withholds” which is the Greek word “katechō” and means “to hold back, detain, retain, restrain and hinder”. The Thessalonians were aware at that time what was restraining and detaining “the day of Christ”.

The verse goes on to say, “...that he might be revealed in his time.” Paul went on to add, “and he” which refers to “the man of sin and son of perdition” “might be revealed” which is the Greek word “apokalyptō” and means “to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up, disclose, made bare, known and manifest” “in his time” or “due measure, fixed, definite opportune or seasonable time”. There is a certain, definite and fixed time when the “man of sin, son of perdition or antichrist” will be exposed.

When we think through these words of Paul, we certainly perceive his desire for the Thessalonians to know about this “man of sin and son of perdition” and the timing of “the day of Christ”. Some people were saying “the day of Christ” had already arrived, and Paul made certain the church members knew this was not so. This “antichrist” has a specific time when he will be revealed, and until then, “the day of Christ” will not come. “The day of Christ” had not come for the Thessalonians nor has it come for us, yet, as well. However, there is a certain period of time when “Christ Jesus” shall rule and reign on the earth, and before that “day” comes, the “antichrist” will be revealed. Until then, we should repeatedly think and pray as John the apostle who wrote in the book of Revelation, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians about “the mystery of iniquity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.