“For the Mystery of Lawlessness (a name for Antichrist) is already at work: only HE who now restrains him (the Holy Spirit), will continue to restrain, until HE is taken out of the way (at the Rapture). And then shall that Wicked one be revealed - whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming - even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason (stubborn unbelief), God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe what is false: that they all might be condemned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)
Jesus was called the “Mystery of Godliness,” (1 Timothy 3:16), because He was a unknown until His appearing. So it is no wonder that the Antichrist, who pits himself against Christ, is named the Mystery of Lawlessness, until he steps out from behind the curtain. However, he is already at work, being energized and used by Satan, as the lawlessness around us proves.
And here, before the eyes of the world, are two eternal paths. Those who refuse to hear Truth have nothing left but lies (delusion). Those who refuse Light, have nothing left to them but darkness. Those who refuse Heaven have nothing left to them but Hell. Jesus doesn’t twist arms to make people believe. He doesn’t do “break and enters” and push Himself through the door of people’s hearts uninvited.
For those who have refused to hear Christ’s call to repent, who have stubbornly rejected His loving offer of eternal life because they love sin, He will give them their desire – strong delusion – from which there is no recovery.
For those who have responded to Christ’s loving invitation, who have turned away from sin and thankfully embraced His offer of Life, who have set their hearts to hear His voice and walk in His paths because they want what is right, He will give them their desire – strong consolation – from which there is no falling away.
Every person’s eternal destiny lays squarely at the feet of their own choices. A great preacher summed it up… “God votes for you, the Devil votes against you, but your vote makes the election.”
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