In 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2, Paul answered questions about a misunderstanding the church had about the Day of the Lord and whether it had already come.
Paul replied:
Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that Day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed] (2 Thessalonians 2:3 AMP)
Okay, think about this for a moment: Jesus will not return and rapture us until after there is a great rebellion by professed Christians who then walk away from their faith.
Now, this seems hard to believe until we continue reading in Chapter 2 and learn that the lawless one (the Antichrist) will have all power, signs, lying wonders and unrighteous deception. So, those who perish and fall away will be deceived by the Antichrist.
Why?
…because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
This is not written to argue the point one way or another whether the great falling away involves born-again Christians or in-name-only believers. I’ll let God sort that out.
But it’s written to remind us to pray for our loved ones and neighbors before it is too late.
My prayer today:
Lord, send the Spirit of Truth to open up the hearts of our loved ones and our American neighbors so that they receive the love of the truth and are saved. (Based on John 16:13 and 2 Thessalonians 2:10)
Join us on Tuesdays to fast and pray for America.
Thank you very much, Mr. Larry. Praying with you for a love of the truth in us all. God bless!
Debbie,
Thanks. God bless you.