“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false”.
I believe this. It is a fact. I also believe that evil has been around for a long time. In the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, people were burned at the stake. I have a tendency to believe the Lord is coming soon, but Paul thought that also. I guess we will see.
An excellent reminder that we most probably are at the very end times, but we have a long way to go yet.
If we are at the end times then we have at least 3.5 years, or some say seven years, of persecution and troubles before the return of Christ.
Not all the church is protected during this time, if you read Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 then six of the seven churches (which are his people) go through severe persecution in order to purify them:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
(Rev 3:19)
When God calls you he does not give up, but keeps working with you and this time of trouble will be for your good and is allowed by the love by God for you.
Here is the patience of the saints. Here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
(Rev 14:12)
Eph_6:13 Therefore take to yourselves the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Rev_6:17 for the great day of His wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?
Now is the time to start to take the Book of Revelation seriously:
You're right that now is the time to take Revelation seriously; too few do.
Church affiliation is not the same as being in Christ. The six rebuked congregations of Revelation 2–3 don't prove His people endure God's wrath; they prove local churches are mixed. Wheat and tares sit in the same pews. We see that now.
In Laodicea, Christ stands outside the door knocking (Revelation 3:20); that is not a purified remnant, it's a warning to the self-deceived. 1 John 2:19 names them plainly: those who fall away "went out from us, but they were not of us." Everyone who truly believes will be saved; not one of His own is lost (John 10:28). However, many who wear the name have never bowed the knee, and the shaking ahead will reveal that.
One clarification, persecution and wrath are not the same thing. The saints have always faced persecution (John 16:33), but the wrath of God is not appointed for His children (1 Thessalonians 5:9). And to that same church at Philadelphia He promised, in Revelation 3:10 as follows: "Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." Not preserved through the hour, but kept from it. That promise is hard to square with the Church passing through the Tribulation.
There is a lot of seed planting underway, but so many people are utterly lost.
In the 2 Thess. verses you cited quoting …
“all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” I have heard some pastors claim that if you hear the gospel before the Rapture and aren’t yet saved, you can’t be saved afterward. That makes no sense to me since we know a huge multitude will come to salvation in Christ after the Church is removed. It is my belief that huge numbers will realize that “those crazy Christians” were right, their eyes and hearts will be opened and they will immediately realize just how much they need Jesus (especially many false converts and Laodicean church attendees.)
I’m in my former hometown for the 4th, visiting several old friends, and family, for the holiday. I’m pretty alone in faith, almost no one knows what is underway. People can see the wheels are falling of the proverbial wagon of the earth, but most don’t know or accept the biblical explanation. I’m meeting with scant tolerance, even from friends of 50+ years. They don’t necessarily know why they feel uncomfortable around me now, but it’s palpable. And it makes me sad for them. I am doing much praying and reminding myself of the scriptures you’ve shared. If they hate the Lord, and we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, it’s going to create conflict.
Praying daily for the lost, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for His return.
Rejecting Christ before the Rapture does not seal your fate. That idea is dead wrong.
It comes from two passages people push way past what is actually stated.
First, the strong delusion in 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12. Paul describes people who "refused to love the truth." That's a settled position of the heart, not a deadline tied to the Rapture. Some pastors turn a description of hardened unbelief into a calendar rule; but, that's not what the text does.
Second, the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 is understood as the Holy Spirit, withdrawn when the Church He indwells is raptured. But withdrawing His restraining ministry is not the same as the Spirit Himself departing. He never stops regenerating sinners; no one is saved in any age apart from Him. Remember, He worked to save Old Testament saints without indwelling them; He will do the same in the Tribulation.
Both readings collide with Revelation 7:9–14: a multitude no one can number, saved out of the Great Tribulation. Post-Rapture salvation isn't a hope; it's a promised. The elect will be saved in His timing. Your instinct is right. Thanks Robin. I pray for peace and comfort while evangelizing your friends and family.
Thanks for this. Christian eschatology seems less “far out” with every passing day.
Thank you for writing this wonderful post...it is so good to get confirmation for what I know to be true.
Well noted and timely.
Amen brother. A timely and Spirit-filled message.
This was excellent. Fasten your seat belts . . .
“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false”.
I believe this. It is a fact. I also believe that evil has been around for a long time. In the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, people were burned at the stake. I have a tendency to believe the Lord is coming soon, but Paul thought that also. I guess we will see.
We're certainly closer then even Paul was. :)
Thanks Thad
An excellent reminder that we most probably are at the very end times, but we have a long way to go yet.
If we are at the end times then we have at least 3.5 years, or some say seven years, of persecution and troubles before the return of Christ.
Not all the church is protected during this time, if you read Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 then six of the seven churches (which are his people) go through severe persecution in order to purify them:
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
(Rev 3:19)
When God calls you he does not give up, but keeps working with you and this time of trouble will be for your good and is allowed by the love by God for you.
Here is the patience of the saints. Here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
(Rev 14:12)
Eph_6:13 Therefore take to yourselves the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Rev_6:17 for the great day of His wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?
Now is the time to start to take the Book of Revelation seriously:
https://friendswithgod.substack.com/p/the-holy-days-in-the-book-of-revelation
You're right that now is the time to take Revelation seriously; too few do.
Church affiliation is not the same as being in Christ. The six rebuked congregations of Revelation 2–3 don't prove His people endure God's wrath; they prove local churches are mixed. Wheat and tares sit in the same pews. We see that now.
In Laodicea, Christ stands outside the door knocking (Revelation 3:20); that is not a purified remnant, it's a warning to the self-deceived. 1 John 2:19 names them plainly: those who fall away "went out from us, but they were not of us." Everyone who truly believes will be saved; not one of His own is lost (John 10:28). However, many who wear the name have never bowed the knee, and the shaking ahead will reveal that.
One clarification, persecution and wrath are not the same thing. The saints have always faced persecution (John 16:33), but the wrath of God is not appointed for His children (1 Thessalonians 5:9). And to that same church at Philadelphia He promised, in Revelation 3:10 as follows: "Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." Not preserved through the hour, but kept from it. That promise is hard to square with the Church passing through the Tribulation.
There is a lot of seed planting underway, but so many people are utterly lost.
In the 2 Thess. verses you cited quoting …
“all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” I have heard some pastors claim that if you hear the gospel before the Rapture and aren’t yet saved, you can’t be saved afterward. That makes no sense to me since we know a huge multitude will come to salvation in Christ after the Church is removed. It is my belief that huge numbers will realize that “those crazy Christians” were right, their eyes and hearts will be opened and they will immediately realize just how much they need Jesus (especially many false converts and Laodicean church attendees.)
I’m in my former hometown for the 4th, visiting several old friends, and family, for the holiday. I’m pretty alone in faith, almost no one knows what is underway. People can see the wheels are falling of the proverbial wagon of the earth, but most don’t know or accept the biblical explanation. I’m meeting with scant tolerance, even from friends of 50+ years. They don’t necessarily know why they feel uncomfortable around me now, but it’s palpable. And it makes me sad for them. I am doing much praying and reminding myself of the scriptures you’ve shared. If they hate the Lord, and we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, it’s going to create conflict.
Praying daily for the lost, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for His return.
Rejecting Christ before the Rapture does not seal your fate. That idea is dead wrong.
It comes from two passages people push way past what is actually stated.
First, the strong delusion in 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12. Paul describes people who "refused to love the truth." That's a settled position of the heart, not a deadline tied to the Rapture. Some pastors turn a description of hardened unbelief into a calendar rule; but, that's not what the text does.
Second, the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 is understood as the Holy Spirit, withdrawn when the Church He indwells is raptured. But withdrawing His restraining ministry is not the same as the Spirit Himself departing. He never stops regenerating sinners; no one is saved in any age apart from Him. Remember, He worked to save Old Testament saints without indwelling them; He will do the same in the Tribulation.
Both readings collide with Revelation 7:9–14: a multitude no one can number, saved out of the Great Tribulation. Post-Rapture salvation isn't a hope; it's a promised. The elect will be saved in His timing. Your instinct is right. Thanks Robin. I pray for peace and comfort while evangelizing your friends and family.
Thank you Thad for clearing that up and using scripture and exegesis to support what you e said.
You are a blessing. Happy 4th of July!