We're looking here in 2 Thessalonians 2, which is about—
"the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him"
Its about End Times.
Yet what I want to draw your attention to here are some of the principles by which you can let "powerful deceptions" — from Satan, and receive "strong delusions" from God – and look at how we are to avoid all of that!
God does not want us to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed in our hearts. either by--
- "a spirit"
- "or a spoken word" person, audio, video
- "or a letter" anything written, web page, booklet etc
"seeming to be from us" - appearing to have the authority of God.
The three ways that Paul was concerned that a thought or message could come to us, cover the three main areas of input into our lives.
First, direct demonic input to our own human spirit; secondly, through our ears; and thirdly, through our eyes.
Not much has changed for the first one, since Paul was first inspired to write this to us by the Holy Spirit – although it may surprise some people to consider that not all of the things occuring to their mind are from themslevs — you really must realise this to stay free from Satanic influences!
However, with the advance of the modern technologies, the last two input points (ears and eyes) have become far more available to bombard people, than ever before!
Cell phones, and other devices can demand your attention day and nght. People have disturbed sleeps. Simple web searches, or Youtube and other links, can land you on information from bizare demon inspired individuals — who wish to fill your heart with demonic poisons.
Unintentionally people can instantly have pornographic material flashing before their eyes! While others can evily and most easily seek it out as never before.
We are in the Last Days...we're in them now be careful! All the above things are now becoing more spiritually empowered…
" - activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing..."
Wicked powerful deceptions from Satan, and even strong delusions from God! All avoidable by —
Always aggressively loving the truth!
"... because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. "
Take no pleasure in unrighteousness! - video porn inspired sickies - or anything else you might imagine! ...
"... Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness"
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Scripture clearly says to us in the New testament that without holiness — separation from evil – No one will see the Lord!
Let no-one doubt that the hating of evil is the beginning of the fear of the Lord. With out a genuine fear of the Lord truly holding him lovingly in awe in our hearts and cherishing His ways – we will not share in Eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers,
2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.