Let No One Deceive You

Some of the things Paul wrote in his second letter to the Thessalonians in the mid AD 50's are very similar to the Revelation from Jesus to John when he was exiled on Patmos around AD 95 and even in Daniel written around 600 BC. Some who are skeptics of the Bible and not followers of Jesus Christ like to point out the few instances, taken out of context, that might be called discrepancies. But for those who really read and study the Bible, the similarities, the repeated truths, the prophecies and their fulfillment, all point to the Spirit of God leading the writers. Makes it completely trustworthy to me!

In 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul is telling the believers not to be deceived by those who claim Jesus Christ has come again. He goes on to talk about the "man of lawlessness" and the "mystery of lawlessness...already at work". He tells us "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. The coming of the lawless one is by the power of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." (vs 8-9)

The deception will be by great miracles and events that will make the world think this is the Messiah. That is why it is so necessary to study God's word, to know what God teaches, to be on guard for those who want to lead people away from the truth of Jesus to the false hope of men or money or prayer cloths.

Jesus still performs great miracles today. He still heals the sick. He still intervenes financially in the lives of believers. He still takes people from death to life. But this lawless one will do these things to bring glory to himself, not glory to Jesus.

One of the things I love so much about Pastor Perry is his insistence to turn every sermon, every thought, to Jesus, and only Jesus. We are being prepared to stand firm. "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by the spoken word or by our letter." (vs 15) But Sunday morning is not enough. I must take initiative to study, take time to read, take time to pray seeking God's wisdom to know God's truth so that no one deceives me.