(2 Thess 2:10b) “….because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”  If one chooses to deny the one and only true God as He has revealed Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ, then they will reap judgment. I personally believe this is what we see today in America. It reminds me of what God said regarding Israel: (Psa 106:13) “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: (14)  But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. (15)  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”  It is possible they didn’t even perceive that although their flesh was full, their soul was starving! Friend, forsake your own desires and cling to the Lord. Desire Him first and foremost.

 (2Th 2:9)  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10)  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 lost bought into lies because they would not receive the truth – Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6)!  Multitudes claim to love the Lord Jesus Who never pick up His Bible to see how to please Him. This is the “tool” which He used to overcome Satan in the wilderness (it is written, Matt 4). We are told to live by Its every Word, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4) We are told it is the “sword of the Spirit” Who lives inside the truly saved (Eph 6:17). He said, “If ye love Me, keep my commandmants” (Jn 14:15) Our actions indeed speak louder than our words.

(2Th 2:9)  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”  Understand that this one is pretending to be Christ. So, the signs and lying wonders will appear as “good things”. Even as far back as Egypt, men were able to duplicate some of the miracles of God through Satan. Beware. Not all who claim to be followers of Christ are what they claim to be. Here’s something to look for: “Is the focus of the meeting the physical or the spiritual?” The Lord does not care as much about your body as He does your soul and spirit – how you live your life!  

(2Th 2:8)  “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:” This occurs at the end of the Tribulation Period. Point: the Lord destroys with the “brightness of His coming”. True Believers are to live in the light of God’s Word. Truth. Truth is light. And light pushes all darkness aside. Always speak the truth as lovingly as you can but still speak it. The only way darkness can prevail is when truth is not spoken.  

 (2Th 2:6) “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7)  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:….”  This was penned almost two thousand years ago. Listen, Satan is real! He is moving mightily in the world we live in. Hindering him begins in you and me: (Jas_4:7)  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The problem I’ve seen among professing believers is that they do not know the Word of God and therefore do not know when their thought processes, their reactions to people, their emotions – are wrong. Satan is at work. Grow in the knowledge of the Word so that you may resist. 

 (2Th 2:6) “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7)  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”  He that is holding back and restraining is God the Spirit. There is a marked difference between the countries where Christianity has flourished and those where it has not. Now we see as true Christianity becomes less and less (those truly being born again – spirit made alive and the Holy Spirit indwelling) evil has become open and “in your face”. Society is devolving “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:….”  If you belong to the Lord, now is the time to be the most faithful and to snatch as many from the fire as you are able!

(2Th 2:5)  “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”  Remember I told you. We have a tendency to forget. The Lord Jesus in facing Satan quoted the OT: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY word of God” (Matt 4:4). I have read the Bible over and over again since getting saved back in 1973. Why? Lest I forget. Remember.  

 (2Th 2:4) “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;”   The anti-christ does this to be worshiped. Yet, people side with Satan today in there hearts every time they say, “I know what the Bible says, But…..”  They are admitting they know God said one thing but they will be their own boss (Lord) and do as they please.” Sad. In reality they are exalting themselves over God. The Lord God is our Creator; He it is that gives us daily life; He it is that gave His Own Son to pay for our sins, to give us a new nature that would desire to obey Him. Sad that so many choose self-will over “Thy will be done” in their life.

 (2Th 2:4) “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;”  The anti-christ is the subject. I draw your attention to “Who opposeth…..God”. I say you as lovingly as I know how, if you do not come and seek to follow God His way, through what is revealed in the pages of the Bible, then you live in opposition to God – no exceptions. There is no middle ground lacking offense when it comes to how you live your life. Your purpose is to know and serve Him in truth. If you do not you make yourself the enemy of God (Matthew 6:24; James 4:4; Roman 8:7).