THE GREAT DECEPTION
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
(2 Thessalonians 2:1–12, NLT) “Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.”
1. BE CLEAR ABOUT OUR FAITH IN THE FACE OF EVIL.
(2 Thessalonians 2:1, NLT) “clarify some things ….”
a. False prophets are genuinely deceptive
b. False prophets are genuinely dangerous
2. THE DAY OF THE LORD.
(2 Thessalonians 2:2, NLT) “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.”
a. Don’t be anxious – Don’t be shaken or alarmed
b. Don’t be apathetic – Christ is coming
(2 Thessalonians 2:1, NLT) “…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him.”
c. Don’t be prideful – I understand, and you don’t
(2 Thessalonians 2:2, NLT) “Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.”
“Don’t be fooled by what they say.” (Verse 3)
d. Be Hopeful – Anticipate
“…we will be gathered to meet him.” (Verse 1)
3. HOLDNG BACK THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS
(2 Thessalonians 2:3–6, NLT) “Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.”
4. HOLD ON TO YOUR CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST
(2 Thessalonians 2:8, NLT)“Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.”
5. THE GREAT DECEPTION
(2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, NLT) “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.”
GROWTHWORK
1. ANTICIPATE THE COMING OF CHRIST.
2. TRUST THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE.
3. PRAY FOR A PURE HEART.
4. PRAY FOR AN INCREASED CONFIDENCE.
5. PRAY FOR YOUR LOST FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
6. GOD DOESN’T DESIRE FOR ANY TO PERISH.