It Starts Small

 ⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹² and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

In verse 9, Paul teaches us a few things about Satan:

• Satan has a cunning scheme in motion! He is not some passive figure slumbering away or a criminal on death row anxiously awaiting his execution. No! He is a desperate fugitive, heart racing, always looking over his shoulder. Though he is being hunted, he remains blissfully unaware of the relentless pursuit closing in on him. Deep down, he senses that his day of reckoning will come. Yet, he brazenly clings to the illusion. He believes he can unleash chaos and destruction without consequence. In his arrogance, he clings to the deluded hope that somehow, he might evade the fate that awaits him.
• Satan possesses an unfathomable power! This power will pave the way for the rise of the Antichrist. He will have dominion over a one-world government. The Antichrist, along with the false prophet, will perform astonishing supernatural feats (Revelation 13:2-4, 13, 15). Such revelations should not unsettle us; after all, Satan is the epitome of the supernatural. As a spirit being, he was once one of the most magnificent creations in God’s grand design. This was before his tragic fall from grace. Consider this: a single angel can strike down all of Egypt’s firstborn. An angel can vanquish 185,000 men in the Assyrian army (Isaiah 37:36). Just imagine the sheer might that Satan wields!
• Satan, the ultimate deceiver, wields false wonders as his weaponry! Miracles, oh, what a potent force they are! Jesus, with His divine authority, performed miracles that illuminated His power and drew countless souls to Him. But beware! Satan, the master of imitation, knows the profound impact of signs and wonders. He cunningly employs these tricks in his treacherous strategy to lead the unsuspecting astray. How many have been swayed by a spectacular display? They embrace a message tainted by deceit. They are entranced by the illusion of the miraculous!

2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

We must never accept someone or something blindly, simply because of a sign! A dream, a vision, or even a miraculous healing does not automatically confirm its unfolding as the “Lord’s work.” So, how can we truly discern if it is indeed God’s work? We must rigorously evaluate the message being proclaimed and hold it up against the Word! This doesn’t mean we should dismiss miracles outright. God is still actively moving in the world. He is performing astonishing deeds! We must ardently strive to heed John’s guidance in 1 John 4. We should “test the spirits” with fervor and discernment!

We must fervently acknowledge that we are in a fierce battle. Soldiers cannot afford to grow complacent or relaxed; doing so invites the chilling threat of a surprise attack. Instead, we must remain “sober and alert,” just as Paul implored the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. Satan is not passively waiting for his final judgment. He is relentlessly active. He seeks to launch an assault on the church and on each of us! We must heed the powerful words of James in James 4:7—resist the devil, and he will flee from you! Do not grant Satan the satisfaction of declaring victory in your life. Reject his deceptive lies! Believing in his false promises will only plunge you into despair and destruction. Instead, boldly choose the narrow path and follow Christ, for in Him, you will find true fulfillment!

The man of lawlessness’ deception

We delved into this in the previous verse. Satan’s insidious plan is rooted in deception.

⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44

John 8:44 passionately reveals him as the father of lies, a title he arrogantly embraces. The truth holds no value for him. He uses every imaginable tactic cunningly. His goal is to lead humanity astray and coax them into worshiping him instead of the one true God. Since the very beginning of mankind, he has distorted God’s Word, meticulously crafting a tapestry of deception. What sinister whispers did he utter to Eve? And alarmingly, throughout the course of human history, countless souls continue to place their trust in Satan. Why, then, does this tragedy persist?

In this powerful verse, we see that Satan’s deception ensnares only those who perish. It snares those who turn away from the love of the truth. This reveals a glorious promise: true believers will stand firm against the Antichrist’s deceitful lies! We must earnestly seek God for a discerning mind and fervently chase after the truth revealed in His Word. We have the potential to cultivate a vibrant skepticism about the messages we receive. This does not mean we dismiss everything out of hand. Instead, we must engage deeply and critically. We should ensure our beliefs align with the sacred teachings of Scripture. Let us remain vigilantly alert. We should be especially cautious towards those entangled in Satan’s twisted worldview. This includes many figures in the media, Hollywood, or self-proclaimed atheist educators and scholars.

For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion

Many are perplexed by this verse, igniting a fiery debate and stirring up immense controversy! What could it possibly mean? Why would God act in such a way? Some assert that those who dismiss Christ before the rapture will be deceived afterward. They will find themselves stripped of any hope for a second chance. Do you resonate with this perspective? I’ll confess, while this interpretation holds weight, I struggle to embrace it fully. As I mentioned, the discussions surrounding this verse are charged and contentious. I’m eager to share my thoughts. I am fully aware that I could be mistaken!

Them – God will unleash upon them a powerful delusion! Who are the recipients of this divine influence? It will be cast upon those who are destined for destruction—namely, the unbelievers. But which unbelievers are in question? It is the ones who stubbornly refuse to embrace the life-giving love of the truth. They are those who remain outside the embrace of salvation. This verse does not specify a single group of unbelievers. It discusses the broader group not targeting only those who rejected the gospel before the rapture. Therefore, it does not specify them as the only ones under God’s deluding influence. However, let me emphasize that this does not imply that no unbelievers will ever turn to the gospel! Those who genuinely accept the truth of the gospel are shielded from that overwhelming, deceptive power.

God will send a deluding influence. It is crucial to understand a profound reason for the tribulation. This lies in God’s righteous judgment upon a world that has turned its back on Christ. Despite witnessing extraordinary miracles, many will remain stubbornly indifferent. I firmly believe they will repeatedly spurn His grace. When they exceed the boundaries of God’s incredible patience, He will allow them to be engulfed in a delusion. This will lead them to face the devastating consequences of their own deliberate rejection.

It is crucial to remember the gripping tale of Pharaoh! In the early chapters of Exodus, you’ll find that God warned Moses. He warned about hardening Pharaoh’s heart. The purpose was to deliver divine judgment to the Egyptians. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes strikingly clear that Pharaoh himself hardened his heart time and again. Each of these deliberate decisions to reject God leads us to a profound realization. After these repeated acts of self-hardening, the Bible reveals that God finally hardened his heart. This paints a powerful picture of Pharaoh’s complete culpability for his own fate. He is not just a figure pleading to turn to the Lord, only to be met with a cruel “Never!” Rather, he stands as a testament to the consequences of obstinacy against the divine!

³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

John 6:37

Instead, it illustrates a vivid picture. The individual is consumed by hatred and disdain for God. They choose to willfully reject divine revelation repeatedly. Then, at long last, God declares, “Enough is enough. You will face the consequences.” I am convinced that this deluding influence during the time of tribulation will echo the fate of Pharaoh. In both instances, individuals, driven by their own stubbornness, repeatedly turn away from the Lord. Ultimately, after they cross an unseen threshold (in our eyes), God’s patience will reach its limit. He will then execute judgment upon them decisively. This ensures that His decree comes to pass.

and so that all will be condemned

Here we can see one of the most powerful reasons for the tribulation. During this intense period, God will unleash His righteous judgment on all who reject the truth. Judgment may not be the most appealing teaching in the Bible, yet it echoes throughout its pages again and again. God ardently wishes to extend His grace to all humanity, but His patience has its limits. After squandering the precious opportunities He provides for repentance, people will face the ultimate judgment. Jesus Himself passionately warned against casting pearls before swine. If individuals refuse His magnificent gift, He will ultimately cease to offer it.

but have delighted in wickedness.

We can discover a profound distinction between believers and unbelievers through this phrase. Both groups may falter and commit sin. Yet, unbelievers find delight in their transgressions. They indulge in it, relishing every moment. In stark contrast, believers are called to harbor a deep aversion toward sin. They should be consumed by guilt and shame when they stray, striving fervently to repent and transform. If you persist in certain sins, embracing the enjoyment they bring, then there is a critical issue at hand.

² For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Now is the moment of salvation! Do not willfully sin or dismiss God’s message, thinking you can simply repent or follow Him more fervently later. The future is uncertain, and you don’t want to be among those who experience His wrath. There will be no escape for them! So, with a burning urgency, share the gospel! Pray fervently and plead with your friends and family to believe in the Lord before time runs out!

God’s sovereignty

A powerful lesson from this entire passage echoes the majesty of God’s sovereignty! At first glance, this truth might seem bewildering. As we delve into the depths of Satan’s sinister plans, we encounter his schemes and overwhelming power. But behold, verse 7 reveals God permits the unveiling of Satan. It is ultimately God who allows the Antichrist and the false prophet to be revealed. Throughout history, we can envision Satan attempting to unleash his wicked agenda, only to be thwarted by the Almighty’s hand. God will continue this divine intervention until the perfect moment arrives! What is that moment, you ask? One profound reason for the apparent delay in Christ’s return is the call for the gospel to reach more souls. It is urgent. Even in his formidable strength, Satan operates only within the boundaries laid down by God. These constraints prevent him from unleashing even greater chaos upon the world. However, during the tribulation, these limitations will be largely, though not wholly, lifted. In that dark time, Satan will be granted the power to perpetrate significant evil, including the persecution of the faithful. Yet fear not! God will ultimately avenge His saints, and Satan’s demise is certain! Even amidst tribulation, God will use Satan as a tool. His divine purpose is to deliver judgment. He will bring condemnation to those who reject His Son!

God is utterly incapable of engaging in evil! Yet, in His divine wisdom, He audaciously employs the very people we deem evil. He uses them to execute His magnificent and just plans. This powerfully showcases His unmatched sovereignty!

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Discussion Questions

• What does this verse teach us about Satan?
• Why will many perish? What factors would keep them from accepting the love of the truth?
• How can we understand verse 11? What is this deluding influence? Why would God send it?
• What can we learn in this chapter about God’s sovereignty? How can we understand God’s sovereignty as we see the evil that will happen?
• What will happen to those who don’t believe the truth?
• How do these people view wickedness? How about you? Do you ever take pleasure in it?

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