His Servants' Ministry

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Last Days Prophecy

HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

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The Man of Lawlessness
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

Theme: The program for the world in connection with Christ's Coming
Back in 1 Thes.4:13, Paul called attention to the Rapture of the church. He also spoke of the Day of the Lord, the Great Tribulation, and the Coming of Christ in glory to this Earth. In this Letter, the emphasis is on the 7 year Tribulation period, but there is also one of the best Passages on the Rapture of the church.

The purpose of the Letter was to calm believers and assure them that the day of the Lord, had not yet come; that the apostasy and the Antichrist must first come; and that the Rapture must take place even before these two events (2 Thes.2:3-8). He wanted to assure them that he did not write any such letter as used by the false teachers who were disturbing them; and that he had not changed his doctrine since seeing them and writing the first Letter to them.

Three events precede the Day of the Lord.
#1. The Rapture (1 Thes.4:13-18)
#2. The Falling away, the rebellion, the apostasy. The apostasy refers to the great apostasy during the Great Tribulation days between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. See our article on these events: http://www.hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm

At the Rapture, ALL those who believed God (1 Jn.5:10), accepted Christ as their Saviour and Lord (Jn;3:15-16), and were saved by the Blood of Christ on the cross (1 Pet.1:18-19), shall be caught up (1 Thes.4:17) into the clouds with Jesus. NOT one living soul will be left on Earth who is a Christian. There will be NO mistakes! You either ARE a TRUE Child of God . . . OR you are a child of the devil (1 Jn.3:10). God knows your heart. You cannot fool God!
Multitudes will soon be saved in the Tribulation (Rev.6:9-11; 7:1-17; 12:17). The ones NOT saved, will become so hardened as to seek to destroy those being saved (Rev.9:20-21; 16:2,9-11). The great whore of (Rev.17), will destroy multitudes of Christians during the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week, while the Antichrist is coming to power over the 10 kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire (Rev.6:9-11; 17:6). When Antichrist comes to full power over the 10 kingdoms in the middle of Daniel's 70th week, he, together with the 10 kings, will destroy the great whore (false church), establish the worship of the beast, and kill multitudes who will not worship him and his image or take his mark (Rev.7:9-17; 13:1-18; 14:9:13; 15:2-4; 16:6-11; 17:16-17).
#3. The man of sin is revealed (2 Thes.2:3).
Great Tribulation, What is it? . . . http://www.hisservants.org/tribulation_what_h_s.htm
Great Tribulation, Why is it? . . . http://www.hisservants.org/tribulation_why_h_s.htm

The Rapture Occurs FIRST (2 Thes.2:1)

2 Thes.2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (KJV)

Now we beseech you, brethren . . . Paul had accomplished his fist purpose in the first letter to the Thessalonians, that being to encourage the saints to patience under sufferings. Here he proceeds to another reason he had in writing it, and that is, to bring the doctrine of Christ's Coming, as to the time of it. He addresses the saints as his brethren, so by way of appealing to them . . . he beseeches (pleads with them) in a very solemn manner:
By the coming of our Lord Jesus . . . the Coming of Christ was what they desired and rejoiced in, as that which would bring rest and peace to them, and suffering to their adversaries; and by this Paul pleads with them, that they must understand this would be of Christ's Second Coming, not the Rapture.
And by our gathering together unto him . . . this is the rapture of the church. The first part of Christ's coming is in view in this verse. There is no judgment, no wrath at the Rapture.
http://www.hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm

The Day of the Lord Follows the Rapture (1 Thes.2:2-5)

2 Thes.2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (KJV)

That ye be not soon shaken in mind . . . they were not to be confused from what they had already received in their minds from Paul, and which they had embraced as articles of faith. They were not to be like a wave of the sea, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Jam.1:6); or to doubt the hope of the Gospel (Tit.1:2), and from that which respects the Second Coming of Christ in particular, and that they would not be quickly and easily moved from it (Gal.1:6).
Or be troubled . . . thrown into panic and surprise, for the Coming of Christ will NOT be terrible to saints, as it will be to sinners. There is something in it that is dreadful and solemn, and fills people with fear and uneasiness; and to not be told of it beforehand, might be shocking when it came. Paul tells them ahead so they can know what will happen.
Neither by spirit . . . any pretended revelation. Fixing the precise time of Christ's Coming is senseless! Do not pay attention to these quacks! His coming will be as a thief in the night (1 Thes.5:2; 2 Pet.3:10).
Nor by word . . . anything that any person may say that they heard someone speak.
Nor by letter, as from us . . . forging and counterfeiting were in use very early. It seems that false letters were in the area, and carried about, which forced Paul to use a method so his genuine letters might be known (2 Thes.3:17-18).
As that the day of Christ is at hand . . . there was a danger in case the Thessalonians, being mistaken as to the time, would question the truth or certainty of the thing itself. False doctrines are like the winds that toss the water to and fro, and unsettle the minds of men, which are as unstable as water. It is enough for us to know that our Lord will come, and will gather all His saints unto Him.
The Day of the Lord does not refer to the church. After the Rapture, the Day of Christ, or the age of grace (Rom.6:14-15), comes to an end and the Day of the Lord begins. The Day of the Lord is a subject which is often mentioned in the Old Testament, while the Rapture is not. The Day of the Lord begins with night. Joel and Amos tells us this day is darkness and not light (Joel 2:2; 31; Amos 5:18,20). It is a time of judgment. It opens with night just like every Hebrew day opens: "the evening and the morning were the first day" (Gen.1:5). Day of the Lord in OT: (Isa.2:12, 13:6,9,13; 22:4; 34:8; 63:4; Jer.30;1-17; 46:10; 47:4; Eze.30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1-2; Amos 5:18; Obad.15; Zep.1:7,14-15; Zec.14).

2 Thes.2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (KJV)

Let no man deceive you by any means . . . they (or we) are not to be deceived, and Paul goes on to warn us.
For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first . . . in a political sense, but more so in the general desertion from allegiance and loyalty of Christianity; running to false cults that will eventually lead to the great whore of Revelation chapter 17. MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (verse 5).
The devil will bring in errors of all kinds of evil doctrines, and invent new ones introducing both Judaism and Paganism into the churches (1 Tim.4:1-3). It seems Paul was pointing out some of the Catholic creeds, as forbidding marriage to priests, and ordering abstinence from meats on certain days, and at certain times of the year. This was one thing that was to precede the Coming of Christ, another follows, which should take place at the same time . . .
There must be a falling away first. Many interpreters say that this means the apostasy, the rebellion, and I agree, but I think it means more than that.
Paul says that before the Day of the Lord begins, there first has to be a removing. I think that there are two kinds of removing that are going to take place. The first thing that must happen is that the Christian church will depart from the faith, that is what we call apostasy. BUT I believe there will be TOTAL apostasy when the Lord comes, and that cannot take place until the TRUE church is removed at the Rapture (1 Thes.4:13-18).
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV) . . . When Jesus says faith, He means that body of truth that He left here. The answer to His question is NO! He will NOT find faith here when He returns. There will be total apostasy because of two things: #1. the church has departed from the faith, it has apostatized and #2. there has been another departure, the departure of the TRUE church from the Earth. The leaving of the TRUE church leads to the total apostatizing of the so-called church. The Day of the Lord CANNOT begin . . . nor can the 7 year Tribulation Period begin . . . until the TRUE church has left the earth.

WHY? . . . because God has promised to take the TRUE church from the Earth BEFORE the Great Tribulation, BEFORE His wrath is poured out on this wicked world in the last judgment (1 Thes.1:10; 5:9; Rev.3:10). What a tremendous Promise! Thank You Jesus!

The so-called organized church which is left down here AFTER the Rapture will totally depart from the faith. It is prophesied as the great whore in Revelation 17. We see it happening in today’s world! All a person has to do is open their eyes.
http://www.hisservants.org/end_times_h_s.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_apostate_world.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/f_falsehoods_rampant.1.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_one_world_order.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_promises_hell.htm
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_judgment_coming.1.htm
From the viewpoint of the world, the removal of believers at the Rapture will be great! They will be glad those “Jesus freaks” are gone! They do not realize how hard it will be for them, for they are going to enter the Great Tribulation period, and it will NOT be very long before they change their minds. Many shall indeed turn to the Precious Jesus to save them! (Rev.7:9-10).

#2. Man of Sin Revealed

The second thing that must happen is that the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
And that man of sin be revealed . . . this evil man is still hidden from the world, even though his promoter (Satan), is secretly working, just as he has been from the time he fell from Heaven. Satan’s fall from Heaven is symbolically described in (Isa.14:12-14; Eze.28:12-18). Although both Passages refer to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they also refer to the spiritual power behind those kings, meaning, Satan. Both these Passages describe WHY Satan fell, but they do not say exactly WHEN he fell. We do know that the angels were created before the Earth (Job 38:4-7). It seems that Satan fell BEFORE he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen.3:1-14). So, Satan’s fall, must have happened sometime AFTER the time the angels were created and BEFORE he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The son of perdition . . . when this man is revealed the Great Tribulation period has already begun. Here he is called the man of sin. John calls him the antichrist. John is the only one who calls him that. The Antichrist has about 30 different titles in the Bible. The Antichrist is a subject of the Old Testament (Dan.7:8,11,20,21,,25; 9:26; 8:9-12,23-25; 11:36-45; 12:11). He is going to be Satan's man, who shall revive the Roman Empire. He COULD be in our midst today, but he will NOT be able to come in power or reveal who he is until after the Great Tribulation period begins. See end of chapter for some names of the Antichrist.

2 Thes.2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)

Who opposeth . . . Antichrist will be an adversary, an enemy of Christ. He shall oppose Christ in His kingly office, setting himself up as the head of the church, assuming to himself all power in heaven and in earth, taking upon himself to do away with the laws of Christ, and make new ones. He shall opposes Christ in His priestly office, by pretending to offer Him up AGAIN and AGAIN in the sacrifice of the mass. This is SO WRONG! Heb. 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all. (KJV) . . . Emphasis mine. It is mockery of our precious Saviour and Redeemer! Antichrist will also oppose Christ in His prophetic office, by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (Mat.15:9), and setting up unwritten traditions of men ABOVE the Holy Word of God, demanding the worship of images, angels and saints . . . does any of this sound familiar to you? Christ requires that ONLY the Lord God should be worshipped and served! Antichrist shall also introduce the doctrine of works and of merit instead of the doctrine of grace (Eph.2:8-9), and with a multitude of other things, in which he most clearly will be totally opposite and contrary to the TRUE Christ.
And exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped . . . be it among the heathen or the Jews: above a false god, or the true God. This could be true ONLY of one who has totally set aside the laws of Almighty God; and who undertook to pass what God alone has a right to do, and whose lawmaking completely disagreed to that of God. It cannot be thought that anyone would openly claim to be superior to God; but it seems that this man of sin, will do exactly that!
One of the Antichrist’s claims will be that he is God. In Revelation 13, we see that the beast out of the sea (the Antichrist) brings together Europe. He shall put it all back together again, like Humpty Dumpty! When he does this, he will show himself as God. The world will think that he is Christ. That is the big lie that people will believe!
So that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God . . . it is my opinion that the Temple shall be rebuilt in Jerusalem. See end of this chapter for: The

Apostasy . . . Rebellion

Showing himself that he is God . . . Antichrist will make people think that he has assumed to himself all power in heaven and in earth; by taking upon himself to open and shut the gates of Heaven at his pleasure; and by pardoning sin, which NONE but God can do! This is the mouth speaking blasphemies (Rev.13:5-6). When Satan dreams, he dreams BIG! (Isa.14:13-15). People are fools, and they shall believe Antichrist is the Christ! (Mat.24:23-27).

2 Thes.2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (KJV)

Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you . . . at Thessalonica, for Paul had been there in person, and had preached there with great boldness and success. He had declared the whole counsel of God, and the Gospel came in great power and worked effectively in them . . . but, there was some forgetting of it. For this reason Paul gently charges them, and rebukes them for it; and he stirs up their pure minds by way of remembrance, and reminds them of former truths he had brought to them.
I told you these things . . . about the Coming of Christ, that it would not be yet, and that there must be a desertion from the faith, and Antichrist must be revealed. He wanted them to know these were things of importance, and Paul had spoken freely about them, when he first preached among them. The doctrine he brought was not contradictory; what he now said was no other than what he had said before; and therefore they were not to be shaken or troubled by any way with a false doctrine.

Mystery of Lawlessness Working Today,
Restrained by the Holy Spirit (2 Thes.2:6-8)

2 Thes.2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (KJV)
And now ye know what withholdeth . . . commentators suggest three possibilities: #1. government and law, which help to curb evil; #2. the ministry and activity of the church and the effects of the Gospel, or #3. the Holy Spirit. To me, there is no doubt that it is the Holy Spirit.
I have a question: What is it that can withhold evil in the world? To me, there is ONLY one answer! It is the Holy Spirit. Governments cannot do it, they never have done it, and they never will be able to do it. The Roman Empire could not do it; because it was an evil force itself, just as most government has always been evil. People today go in to government, saying what all they will do, and what they will not do. As we know from our government down through the years, they are LIARS! They may go in as good moral people, but so many of them end up crooks.
That he might be revealed in his time . . . just as God appoints times and seasons for all His works, so too, God has a ‘time’ for the revealing of the Antichrist (Rev.6:1-2) . . . as well as for his ruin (Rev.19:20).

It is my humble opinion that when the Rapture takes place, and all TRUE believers are removed, the Holy Spirit is also removed to a great extent! The Holy Spirit abides and resides in all TRUE children of God (saints, Christians). From the time they are baptized with the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13), until they die a physical death, the Holy Spirit is with the TRUE believer in their life on Earth, and for ever! (Jn.14:16,26; Rom.5:5; 8:9-11,15-16; 1 Cor.3:16; 6:19; 2 Jn.1:2).

So, WHAT hinders the man of sin being revealed? The Holy Spirit! When the TRUE church is removed at the Rapture, and only the great whore (false churches, cults) is left, the Holy Spirit will no longer be present in the abundant way that He was BEFORE the Rapture. Nothing can come to pass until that time comes! By that which withheld or hindered the open appearance of Antichrist, I believe to be the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, the Trinity. When the TRUE church is removed, the Holy Spirit within all these souls will also be removed, because when the Spirit is given to a TRUE believer, He is there for ever (Jn.14:16; 2 Jn.1:2).
I believe that the Holy Spirit will still be in the world, working as usual, trying to get through to these stubborn ones left behind at the Rapture, but I think their hearts will be SO hard, it will be rare that the loving Spirit breaks through to one of them.

2 Thes.2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (KJV)

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work . . . the mystery of the wicked one, meaning either Antichrist himself, and the spirit of antichrist, which was already in the world, (1 Jn. 2:18), mystery would be a good name for the Antichrist. Or the mystery could be the evil doctrines and practices of Antichrist may be intended . . . because the doctrine of the Gospel is called a mystery (Eph.6:19), and the mystery of godliness (1 Tim.3:16) . . . so too the doctrines and practices of the Antichrist may be called the mystery of iniquity, especially because they were secretly spread, imbibed and practiced. The mystery of iniquity had already begun to work in Paul's day, and my friend, it continues to work big time today! The Lord Jesus gave a parable in Matthew 13, which reveals the condition of the world today. The Word of God is being sown out in the field of the world, but the enemy comes and sows weeds. The weeds and the wheat grow together side by side. The Word of God and lawlessness grow together today. The world is getting worse day by day, and will continue until Jesus comes to take His people out! Then, iniquity, lawlessness shall take over big time!

Only he who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way . . . lawlessness will continue to get worse and worse, but the Holy Spirit will not let Satan go all the way in this age. BUT, when the Holy Spirit is removed, it will be like taking the cap off a bottle of soda! The molten lava of lawlessness will pour out all over the world in that day.

When will the Holy Spirit be taken out? I believe that he will be taken out with the church. Won't the Holy Spirit be in the world during the Great Tribulation? Yes, He will! Wasn't He in the world before Pentecost? Yes! He was present in the days of the Old Testament, but He had a different job. He will also be on a different assignment after the church is removed. In today’s world, the Spirit of God is sealing us until the day of redemption when He will present us and deliver us to the Lord Jesus. If He did NOT do that, we would never be able to make it. After He does that, I believe His task will be similar to what He did in the Old Testament, BUT. . . it is my opinion that He will NOT hinder evil as He does today . . . He will let Satan have his way for a while. Can you even begin to imagine what the world would be like IF the Holy Spirit was not withholding evil today? It is horrible with all the abortion, adultery, alcohol, drugs, fornication, homosexuality and all weird forms of sexual immorality including same sex marriage, murder, incest, rape, violence and witchcraft . . . everywhere! All these are an abomination, disrespect and irreverence to our gracious God! I do NOT want to be on the Earth when the devil has his way in the Great Tribulation!

2 Thes.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: (KJV)

And then shall that wicked be revealed . . . that lawless one, that man of sin, who shall set himself above ALL the laws of God and man, and dispenses with them at pleasure, who judges all men, but will be judged by no man, because he will be ruler of the world.
Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth . . . the Lord Jesus, who is Lord of lords, and God over all; and will be able to do what He is here said He shall do: and which He will do!
With the spirit of his mouth . . . if Jesus could create the Universe (Jn.1:3,10; Eph.3:9; Col.1:16; Heb.1:1-2), by the breath of His mouth (Gen.1:3,6,9,11,14,20,22, 24,26), WHY wouldn’t He be able to destroy anything or anyone that He chose to, just by speaking (Ps.33:6)? God is ALL powerful! Believe it! In the Scriptures, the breath of God, the sword of the Spirit, the two-edged sword of law and Gospel, come out of His mouth, and are sharper than any two-edged sword. It is by this that sinners are cut to the heart, hewn and slain, convicted and converted . . . and so by this same way shall the Antichrist be consumed and destroyed. We indeed serve a mighty God!
And shall destroy with the brightness of his coming . . . much more than this is to be feared from the breath of Christ's mouth.

Lawless One to Appear in Great Tribulation (2 Thes.2:9-12)

2 Thes. 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (KJV)
Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan . . . that Wicked . . . the Antichrist, the Man of Sin will be a world dictator. No one can stop him. No power on earth . . . only the Coming of Christ will stop him. Just as Israel in Egypt was helpless and hopeless until God delivered them, so too the believers during the Tribulation will be utterly helpless under the power of the Antichrist until the Lord Jesus comes to the Earth to establish His Kingdom. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. We have the Bible, which is the written Word of God . . . and the written Word is all about the Living Word (Jn.1:1), and the Word is very much alive and powerful. When the Lord Jesus Returns, He comes as the Living Word of God.
With all power and signs and lying wonders . . . NOT omnipotence . . . for that characteristic is for God alone! NO one but Almighty God is all-powerful! Omnipotence is NOT in Satan and NOT in Antichrist, even though the Antichrist adopts to himself all power in Heaven and in Earth, and claims authority both temporal and spiritual over men. All power means great power, all kind of power in doing miracles, signs and lying wonders, meaning these signs and miracles are NOT real, and were like those that were done by the magicians of Egypt (Ex.7:11;22; 8:7). These were done to express lies, and to persuade people to believe them. Antichrist will be a deceiver, a liar and a murderer; for such was the working of Satan with our first parents; seducing Eve, not only by subtlety, but also by lying. Satan abode NOT in truth, but is the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning (Jn.8:44), and so is the work of Antichrist. He comes in a very deceitful way, under a profession of peace and of Christ, and a pretension of faith in Him, and love to Him; but speaks lies in hypocrisy.
Rev. 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (KJV) . . . This verse tells us much! Antichrist comes on a white horse, like Jesus will one day (Rev.19:11). The rider here is the Antichrist, which is confirmed by the following verses. He carries a bow which is a weapon of war . . . but he comes offering peace to Israel (Dan.9:27), but midway in the last “week” (7 years) he shall reveal his true colors. Antichrist has a crown on his head, for he will ride out to many battles and he will gain victory, a brief victory.
Christ shall break all the seals, in order. He is in complete control of every creature and every situation! Four horses (of the Apocalypse) appear as the first four seals are opened. BEWARE!!! The first horse is white, indicating purity and good, BUT, because the other three horses relate to judgment and destruction, this rider on a white horse CANNOT be Christ as many think! There are many who believe Antichrist is Christ because Jesus does come on a white horse in Rev.19:11 at His Second Coming to the Earth, BUT, the rider in Rev.6:2, has a “bow” (symbol of war), and he went out to conquer. Does this sound like Christ? The rider here is NOT Christ, but a satanic deceiver. He wants people to think he is Christ, and is bringing peace to the world (2 Cor.11:14). The rider is the Antichrist, and when he comes, he will NOT appear to be a villain. He comes offering peace to Israel (Dan.9:27), but midway in the last “week” (7 years) he shall reveal his true colors.

2 Thes.2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (KJV)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish . . . with every art that deception can invent and unrighteousness can suggest, he will delude and deceive. In them that perish . . . among them that are destroyed . . . they perish because they stubbornly refuse to be saved, and receive a lie rather than the truth. This has been true of all the Jews from the days of the apostle until now. Let us pray that they learn to accept the Truth of the Gospel.
Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved . . . the Truths of the Gospel are NOT believed by them, nor are they moved with them, so they might be saved . . . for where there is true faith in the Gospel of Christ, and in Christ the Substance of the Gospel, there is salvation. The reason these men perished was their evil rejection and contempt of the Gospel.

2 Thes.2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (KJV)

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion . . . because they would not receive the love of the truth (the Gospel), but had pleasure in unrighteousness, for that reason God permits a strong delusion (falsehood) to occupy their minds; so that they believe a lie rather than the truth; they prefer false apostles and their damnable heresies (2 Pet.2:1), to the pure Truths of the Gospel, brought to them by the well qualified messengers of God. They were very ready to receive any false Messiah, while they continually rejected the TRUE Messiah (Christ).
That they should believe a lie . . . God will allow the world believe a lie. WHY does He do that? It is just like when God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh did not want to let Israel go, and what God did was to force him to make a stand and come to a decision. God forced him into a situation that simply revealed what was already in Pharaoh’s heart. Many people today just will not take a stand for God. They will not listen to the Gospel, they close their hearts to it. God graciously and ever so kindly gives them His Word, the only thing that can save them, but they want no part of it. After they have heard the Word of God but refuse to accept it, God will send them strong delusion. Why? Because when they refuse to receive the Truth, they open themselves to believe a lie. There are many who have stopped going to the church where they heard the Gospel, and rejected it. They open themselves wide to the demonic cults of our day. That is why so many of those cultists go around on Sunday morning, knocking at doors. They know that the feeble-faith people will not be in church on Sunday morning. They are not interested enough in the Word of God to be in church. The cults know that they can get those people, because if they will not receive the truth, they are wide open for anything else that comes along. My friend, when people reject the truth, they will believe a lie. God is separating the sheep from the goats. God uses this way to do it.
What is the "lie"? The lie of Antichrist is that Jesus Christ is not the Lord, and that He is not who He says He is. He makes people think that they are really smart in not becoming religious nuts who believe in Jesus. And Antichrist will have some very good explanation for the departure of the saints from the Earth at the Rapture. The people will believe Antichrist and will believe that he will bring them the Millennium. They will not realize that they are instead entering the Great Tribulation until it is too late! BEWARE!!! Do not wait, if you do not know Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, NOW is the day of salvation (2 Cor.6:2).

2 Thes.2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (KJV)

That they may be damned . . . (Mk.16:16; Rom.14:23). I think this means condemned and punished with everlasting destruction from the Presence of the Lord (1 The.1:8-9), and that they will have their portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; where the devil, the false prophet, and the beast, whose followers they are, will be cast (Rev.19:19-20; 20:10). God is righteous and just in ALL that He does, and this strong delusion is no exception.
Damnation: (Mat.23:14,33; Mk.3:29; 12:40; Lk.20:47; Jn.3:8; 5:29; Rom.13:2; 1 Cor.11:29; 1 Tim.5:12; 2 Pet.2:3)
Condemned: (Jn.3:18,36; 1 Cor.11:32; Heb.2:3; 11:7; 12:25; 2 Pet.2:6; 3:6-7; 1 Jn.5:10; Rev.19:1-3).
Judgment of God: (Mat.14:41-42; 25:31-46; Lk.16:23; 2 Pet.2:4; Rev.19:20; 20:10,14-15).
Wrath of God: (Jn.3:36; Rom.1:18; 2:5; Eph.5:6; Col.3:6; Jam.1:20; Rev.14:10,19; 15:1,7; 16:1,19; 19:15) God’s wrath is clearly seen in Revelation chapters 6 through 19, the Great Tribulation period. BEWARE!!! You need NOT enter that horrible era. ONLY Christ Jesus can keep you safe from God’s wrath! (1 Thes.1:10; 5:9; Rev.3:10).
Who believed not the truth . . . they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved (verse 10), and the following phrase justifies God’s system of doing things. Neither the Word of Truth, which is the Gospel of salvation, nor Christ, who is Truth itself (Jn.14:6) were received; and were willingly given up to believe a lie. Because of this, God’s damnation is just, according to the statement of Jesus, he that believeth not shall be condemned (damned)! John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)
But had pleasure in unrighteousness . . . by unrighteousness some expositors think this is false doctrine or error, because it is set in opposition here to truth, as sin is set in opposition to it (Jn.8:46). Others think that Paul is referring to the corrupt doctrines of Simon Magus and the Nicolaitanes that gave liberty to the lusts of the flesh. But why not instead the doctrines of the man of sin, of which Paul had been before speaking?
It seems to me that by unrighteousness, Paul means unrighteousness is sin, ALL sin (1 Jn.5:17). I think we can see here that a wrong mind and a mean and malicious life go together. When sin is come to its highest point, men take pleasure in it, and that is what makes them ready for damnation. I think these things mean anti-Christians (unbelievers, devil’s children, 1 Jn.3:10).

Lawless One to Appear in Great Tribulation (2 Thes. 2:9-12)

2 Thes. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (KJV)

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you . . . (2 Thes.1:3).
Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation . . . the following important things are affirmed or implied here: #1. That God had chosen or elected them to salvation (Eph.1:4; 1 Thes.1:4; 1 Pet.1:2). #2. That this was from the beginning, meaning from eternity (Jn.1:1; Eph.1:4; 3:9-11). #3. That this was the CHOICE of the persons to whom Paul referred. I truly do believe that God chooses ALL people to salvation, for He is not willing that even one should perish (2 Pet.3:9). BUT . . . what takes place is decisions made by each and every person in the Universe! God’s desire is that ALL people would be born again and become members of His family (Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-9). BUT . . . that is NOT what happens; because the vast majority of people on Earth stubbornly, intentionally and willingly reject Jesus (Mat.7:13-14).
John 3:17-20 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (KJV) . . . Jesus IS the Light, the only begotten Son of God came into the world, but people would rather be in the darkness with their sin.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (KJV) . . . IF you reject Jesus and refuse to receive His Words! His Words will one day condemn you.
2 Thes.1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (KJV) . . . Obey NOT the Gospel!
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV) . . . HOW can you escape IF you neglect the salvation that Jesus bought and paid for, for YOU? You CANNOT escape! You are bound for Hell!
Hebrews 10:29-31 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (KJV) . . . Can you imagine how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God? And those who have treated His precious Blood as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and scorned the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us? My friend, God’s furious vengeance shall come down HARD on you. If you do not know it now, one day you will know: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Rev.20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) . . . IF your name is NOT in the Lamb’s Book of Life, the lake of fire is your destination.
Through sanctification of the Spirit . . . being set apart by the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is NOT anything external, as changing your life style, obeying the law, or any outward submission to Gospel ordinances. It is instead internal holiness, which lies in an attitude of the spiritual life of the soul, and of the spiritual light of our understanding. It is striving to bend our will to the will of God,
And belief of the truth . . . this is just opposite of "believed not the truth" (verse 12).

2 Thes. 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Whereunto he called you by our Gospel . . . people are called by the Gospel. Here, Paul says “our Gospel” elsewhere Paul calls it “my Gospel” (Rom.2:16; 16:25; 2 Tim.2:8). There is only ONE Gospel of Jesus Christ! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is your Gospel, and it is my Gospel too, just as it was Paul’s Gospel. God chooses people to salvation from eternity (Eph.1:4), and has made the Gospel the main way of calling people. When the Gospel is heard, it lies with the person who hears it. Will the person obey it? Or will they reject its calling? Our choice!
To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . this speaks of glorification, that one day we shall obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that you may partake of the same glory as the Saviour in Heaven (Jn.17:22,24). Glorification: (Rom.8:17,21,30; 9:23; 1 Cor.2:7; 4:17; Col.1:27; 3:4; 2 Thes.2:14; 2 Tim.2:10; Heb.2:10.; 1 Pet.1:7-8; Jude 1:24).

2 Thes.2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (KJV)

Therefore, brethren, stand fast . . . in the doctrine of the Gospel, in the faith and in the fact of Christ's Second Coming in particular. Paul did not want them to waver in the least, nor be shaken in mind, and troubled as if it was just at hand. Paul cautions them to be careful to continue both in faith and holiness, and not to expect it from the law; or the rumors of philosophy, which some false teachers might suggest, for faith cometh by hearing the gospel (Rom.10:17), and faith comes only from the power of God unto salvation (Rom.1:16).
What Paul before called salvation, he here classes as the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 14). In (1 Thes.5:9), he had there called it obtaining salvation.
Salvation is the same as the purchased possession (Eph.1:14), which means obtaining the glory of Christ, by accepting in faith, Jesus’ Work on the cross, which was God’s way of purchasing salvation for anyone who believes Him (1 Jn.5:10-13), and accepts His only begotten Son to redeem us, to save us. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (KJV) . . . Whosoever, means you: (Jn.3:15-16,36; Jn.1:12-13; 5:24; 6:40,47; 10:28-30; 11:25-26; 12:44-46; 17:2-3; 20:31; Mk.16:16; Acts 8:37; 16:30-31; Rom.5:1-2,21; 6:22-23; 10:9-14; Gal.2:16,20; Heb.7:25; 10:39; 1 Jn.2:25; 5:10-13).
And hold the traditions which ye have been taught . . . Paul means the Truths of the Gospel, which may be called traditions because they are delivered from one person to another . . . the Gospel was first delivered by God the Father to Jesus Christ, as Mediator, and by Jesus to His apostles, and by the apostles to the churches of Christ. The doctrine of the Gospel was delivered to them, and also the ordinances of the Gospel which the apostles received from Christ, and as they received them faithfully, they delivered them, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion), as well as rules of conduct and behavior, both in the church, and in the world, and all the commandments of Christ, which He ordered His apostles to teach, and which they gave by Him (Mat.22:36-40; 1 Thes.4:2; 5:12-22; 2 Thes.3:6). The commandments (special duties) of TRUE Christians are found in 1 Thes.5:12-22.
See: http://www.godcannotlie.org/1_thes_ch5.htm
The commandments or duties, were such as these saints had been taught by Paul, under the direction of Christ, and through the guidance of His Spirit; and were NOT the traditions of men or the rudiments of the world (Mk.7:8; Col.2:8), but that which Paul had received from Christ, and through the hands of the apostles. The phrase: Spirit of Christ, appears in the following Scriptures, but the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. Spirit of Christ: (Rom.8:9; 2 Cor.3:3,17; Phil.1:19; 1 Pet.1:11).
Whether by word, or our epistle . . . meaning either by Paul’s speaking to them when he was with them, or by his Letter to them. He wanted them to hold fast and retain what Truths they had absorbed, and not let them go.

2 Thes.2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (KJV)

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace . . . Paul having encouraged the saints to hang in there, closes this second part of his Letter, involving the Coming of Christ, with a prayer for the saints, that they might be comforted and established. And since they had a share in the affection both of the Father and the Son, it need not to have been doubted but that what was prayed for would be granted. And hath given us everlasting consolation . . . all true comfort comes only from God and Christ, His Son. God is called the God of all comfort (2 Cor.1:3), and IF there be any real comfort in this life on Earth, it is in, by and from Christ; and it is the gift of God through His amazing grace and favor (kindness). Comfort is NOT something that we merit, for even the smallest degree of comfort is not deserved by disobedient and vile sinners. And good hope through grace . . . God’s grace, hope and faith as well, is the gift of God, a free gift from an awesome God.

2 Thes.2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (KJV)

Comfort your hearts . . . we should apply the comfort so graciously given to us, by willingly receiving it, for we do NOT want to refuse it through unbelief. Believing and receiving God’s grace increases it, by shedding abroad the love of Christ, and of the Father. Comforting our hearts stands in total opposition to being troubled and distressed about the sudden coming of Christ (verse 2).
And stablish you in every good word and work . . . Paul wants them to establish in themselves every good word and work, standing firm in the Truth of the Gospel and by living according to its commands. He does not want them to falter or be unsure of them, or to depart from them, but to steadfast and immoveable, and always abounding in good words and good works.

What follows is comments on this chapter.
The Apostasy or Rebellion

2 Thes. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (KJV)

The rebellion refers to the apostasy in the church. Apostasy is a falling away, a defection, a deserting, a rebellion, a forsaking or an abandoning or leaving the faith. In a Biblical sense, it means a deliberate and willful departure from professed faith in God and His Truth revealed in Scripture.

It is a falling away of many within the Church. Consider the following Scriptures, which is RIGHT ON, in view of today’s times. We are well on our way to the rebellion!
1 Timothy 4:1-3  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (KJV)
2 Timothy 3:1-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (KJV)
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV)
2 Peter 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (KJV)
Jude 1:17-19  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (KJV)

This rebellion, this apostasy has been building up over the years because false teaching and has clear references to Daniel's prediction of an end-time opponent who will bring about a large-scale compromise of faith among God's people (Dan.9:24-27). The apostasy will not occur primarily in the non-Christian world but instead within the church, and as I said, it is taking place today.

This rebellion is connected to the "man of lawlessness." The Scriptures do not elaborate on this man, but it seems to apply it to an individual who represents wickedness mainly in the range of religion (1 Jn.2:22). He will draw away those already persuaded against the true God, and will in the end commit the foulest sacrilege of thrusting himself upon humanity as its object of worship (2 Thes.2:4). He will come by the power of Satan, as opposed to Christ, who came by the power of God (2 Thes.2:9); he will work false wonders, in contrast to Christ’s marvelous and true miracles. Paul portrayed this imposter as a vile and immoral imitation of the true Christ, and as the complete opposite of Christ. Although Paul did not himself use the term, "antichrist" (1 Jn.2:18,22; 4:3), is a fitting substitute. The fate of this imposter is sealed; he shall be destroyed at the Coming of Christ.
Exalt himself over everything that is called God (2 Thes.2:4). This description of the man of lawlessness echoes that of Daniel's little horn (Dan.7:8,20,25; 8:9-12; 11:31,36), and which foretells John's description of the beast from the sea (Rev.13:1-8). He as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God . . . some have concluded from this verse that the temple in Jerusalem, still standing when Paul wrote this letter but destroyed in A.D. 70, must be rebuilt prior to Christ's Return in order for the man of lawlessness to sit there. It seems to me that this must be so, because the Temple on Earth IS mentioned in the Book of Revelation during the Great Tribulation (Rev.11:1-2).
To the church, God’s Temple is our body (1 Cor.3:16-17; 2 Cor.6:16). But the Great Tribulation (Mat.24:21) will especially be God’s wrath on Israel, and I think there will be a literal Temple there.
http://www.templemount.org/tempprep.html
http://www.jewishroots.net/library/end-times/rebuilding_the_temple.html
http://signsofthelastdays.com/archives/category/the-rebuilding-of-the-temple

The man of lawlessness is very similar to Daniel 11:29-34, and refers to the end-time trial as a period when the lawless ones will do lawlessness. The lawless ones will not understand. They will mislead, be misled or both. This doing of lawlessness in Daniel is directly linked to, if not partly explained by, the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up (Dan.11:31; 12:11), by the end-time enemy in the Temple.

Names of the Antichrist
Abaddon: (Rev.9:11
Aabominable branch: (Isaiah 14:19)
Abomination of desolation: (Dan.12:11; Mat.24:15)
Adversary: (Psalm 74:8-10)
Angel of the bottomless pit: (Rev. 9:11)
Antichrist: (1 John 2:22)
Apollyon: (Rev.9:11)
Assyrian: (Isaiah 10:5)
Beast: (Rev.17:8)
Beelzebub: (Lk.11:15,18-19)
Bloody and deceitful man (Psalm 5:6)
Branch of the terrible ones: (Isaiah 25:5)
Devil: (Rev.20:2)
Dragon: (Rev.12:9)
Extortioner: (Isaiah 16:4)
God of this world: (2 Cor.4:4)
Idol shepherd: (Zec.11:16-17)
King of babylon: (Isaiah 14:4)
King of fierce countenance: (Dan.8:23)
Lawless one: (2 Thes.2:9)
Little horn: (Daniel 7:8)
Man of sin: (2 Thes.2:3)
Man of the earth: (Psalms 10:18)
Old serpent: (Rev.20:2)
Prince of the power of the world: (Eph.2:2)
Prince of this world: (Jn.12:31;14:30)
Prince of tyre: (Eze.28:2)
Prince that shall come: (Dan.9:26)
Profane prince of israel: (Eze.21:25)
Satan: (Rev.20:2)
Seed of the serpent: (Gen.3;15)
Son of perdition: (2 Thes.2:3)
Spoiler: (Isaiah 16:4)
Tempter: (Mat. 4:1)
Vile person: (Daniel 11:21)
Wicked one: (2 Thes.2:8)
Wicked prince of israel: (Eze.21:25)
The willful king: (Daniel 11:36)
Some of these are names for Satan, but he is the one empowering Antichrist.

What is a mystery in Scripture? It is NOT a who-dunit or a mystery story, and it is NOT something you wonder about: Was it the butler who committed the crime? A mystery in Scripture means that God is revealing something, that up to that time, He had not revealed. There are two elements which always enter into a New Testament mystery: #1. It cannot be discovered by man, for it is always a revelation from God; and #2. It is revealed at the right time and not concealed, and #3. Enough is revealed to establish the fact without all the details being disclosed.

There are fifteen mysteries in the New Testament:
#1. The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mat.13:3-50; Mk.4:11; Lk.8:10).
#2. The mystery of His will (Eph.1:9).
#3. The great mystery of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:32; Col.4:3).
#4. The mystery of the Gospel (Eph.6:19).
#5. The mystery of Israel's blindness during this age (Rom.11:25).
#6. The mystery of the faith (1 Tim.3:9).
#7. The mystery of the translation of living saints at the end of this age (1 Cor.15:51-52; 1 Thes.4:13-17).
#8. The mystery of the N.T. Church as one body composed of Jews and Gentiles (Eph.3:1-12; 6:19; Rom.16:25; Col.4:3).
#9. The mystery of the Church as the bride of Christ (Eph.5:23-32).
#10. The mystery of being in Christ (Gal.2:20; Col.1:26-27).
#11. The mystery of Christ as the incarnate fullness of the Godhead embodied, in whom all the divine wisdom for man subsists (1 Cor.2:7; Col.2:2,9).
#12. The mystery of godliness (1 Tim.3:16).
#13. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thes.2:7; Mat.13:33).
#14. The mystery of the seven stars (Rev.1:20).
#15. The mystery of the woman (Rev.17:5,7).
My friend, even with all these, God has NOT revealed everything to us. There are many things God has NOT told us, because it is not necessary for us to know. When it is necessary, He will reveal them to us.

Facts about the Antichrist:
#1. Called "the man of sin" because he will be the embodiment of lawlessness and leader of the great apostasy of (2 Thes.2:3,8-12; Rev.13:1-18; 14:9-13; 15:2-4; 16:2-12).
#2. Called "the son of perdition," because of being destined to destruction by by his rebellion, like Judas or any other man who sells himself to Satan (2 Thes.2:3,8-12; Rev.13:2; Dan.8:24; 11:37-39).
#3. He shall be revealed (2 Thes.2:3).
#4. He will oppose God (2 Thes.2:4).
#5. He will exalt himself above God (2 Thes.2:4).
#6. He will accept worship as God (2 Thes.2:4).
#7. His worship will be carried on in the future Jewish temple at Jerusalem (2 Thes.2:4; Dan.8:10-14,23-27; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:1-7; Mat.24:1-7,15-21; Rev.11:1-2; 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 16:2-12; 20:4-6).
#8. He will claim to be God (2 Thes.2:4).
#9. He has a time to be revealed (2 Thes.2:6).
#10. Something now holds back or hinders his revelation (2 Thes.2:7).
#11. The spirit of lawlessness now works preparing for his revelation (2 Thes.2:7).
#12. The mystery of iniquity, or spirit of lawlessness cannot reveal him until the hinderer of lawlessness be taken out of the world (2 Thes.2:7).
#13. When that which hinders lawlessness is taken out of the world, then shall that wicked be revealed (2 Thes.2:7-8).
#14. When the wicked is revealed, he will live until the Second Coming of Christ, will head the armies at Armageddon and will be destroyed by Christ (2 Thes.2:8; Rev.19:11-19; Dan.7:24-28; 8:23-27; 9:27; 11:36-45; Mat.24:15-31).
#15. He is NOT God, he is a man, for he will be killed by Christ at Armageddon (2 Thes.2:8; Dan7:11; 8:25; Isa.11:4; Rev.19:11-21). This man is NOT Judas or anyone else who has already died (Heb.9:27).
#16. He will be Satan's agent and Satan’s last attempt to raise up a world dictator (2 Thes.2:9; Dan.8:24; 11:37-39; Rev.13:3).
#17. He will have miraculous powers from Satan (2 Thes.2:9; Dan.8:24; 11:37-39; Rev.13:2,11-18; 16:13-16; 19:20; Mat.24:24). Antichrist will NOT have omnipotent power like God, and his power shall end at his death!
#18. He will be a deceiver (2 Thes.2:10; Dan.8:24-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; Mat.24:15-31; Rev.13:1-18; 19:20).
#19. Only those who are not saved by the Blood of Christ will follow him (2 Thes.2:10-12; Rev.13:1-18; 14:9-11; 16:13-16; 19:20).
#20. The reason people are deceived by him is that they have rejected Truth, loved sin, and refused salvation (2 Thes.11-12).
#21. He will be a strong delusion and a lie (2 Thes.2:11-12; Dan.8:10-14,25; 11:39).

When does Sanctification begin?:
It began in God's plan before Adam (Eph.1:4), but when involved in our lives, it begins:
#1. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (Thes.2:13; Rom.1:16)
#2. When a person receives Christ, they receive His righteousness and sanctification (1Cor.1:30)
#3. When born again (Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-8; 1Jn.4:7; 5:1-5,18; 1 Pet.1:23)
#4. When one becomes God's elect through sanctification (1 Pet.1:2-4; Eph.1:4)
#5. When made righteous through Christ’s righteousness (1 Cor.1:30; 1 Jn.1:9; 3:7-10; 5:1-5,18)
#6. When the Holy Spirit makes us a new man (Eph.4:24)
#7. When the old man is put off (Rom.ch.6; Eph.4:22-24; Col.3:8-10; 2 Cor.5:17-18)
#8. When a person becomes dead to sin (Rom.ch.6)
#9. When baptized by the Spirit (Rom.6:3-5; Col.2:11-12; 1 Cor.12:13)
#10. When a person stops living in sin (Rom.ch.6; 8:12-13; 1Jn.3:7-10; 5:1-5,18)
#11. When a person turns from sin and Satan, to God for forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:18)
#12. When accepted by God (Rom.3:2,28; 4:5; 5:1,9; 8:30; 9:30; 10:4)
#13. When a person becomes “in Christ” (2 Cor.1:21; 2:17; 5:17; Eph.1:1)
#14. When a person is made a new creature (2 Cor.5:17-18)
#15. When a person is justified (Rom.5:1; 1 Cor.6:11; 1 Pet.1:18-19)
#16. When a person becomes one with Christ (Heb.2:11; 2 Cor.5:17-18; Rom.8:1-13)
#17. When a person accepts Christ as the ONLY Offering for sin (Heb.10:4-14; 1 Cor.1:30; Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12)
#18. When a person is cleansed by the Blood of Christ (1 Pet.18-19; 2:22-24; 3:18; Mat.20:28; 26:28; Acts 20:28; Eph.1:7; Col.1:7; Heb.9:12-14; 1 Jn.1 :7; 2:2)
#19. When saved to the uttermost and from Satan (Heb.7:25; 1 Jn.3:8-10; 5:18)
#20. When redeemed (Lk.1:68-77; 1 Cor.1:30; Tit.2:14; Heb.9:12-15; 1 Pet.1:18-23)
#21. When a person believes the Truth (1 Thes.2:13)
#22. When saved from fornication (1 Thes.4:3-4; Gal.5:24; 1 Cor.6:9-11)
#23. When a person becomes the temple of God (1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20; Rom.8:9)
#24. When reconciled to God (2 Cor.5:17-21; Col.1:20-123; Rom.5:1-11)
#25. When a person is saved by faith (Eph.2:8-9)
#26. When brought to obedience to God (1 Pet.1:2; Rom.6:16-23; 8:12-13)
#27. When one is prepared for resurrection (Heb.12:14; Rev.20:4-6)
#28. When grace brings salvation and the Spirit renews (Tit.2:11-13; 3:5)
#29. When converted and all sins are blotted out (Acts 3:19-21; 26:18)
#30. When purged of all sin (Heb.1:3; 10:1-18; 2 Pet.1:4,10).
The above facts have to do with immediate sanctification. There is also progressive sanctification and complete sanctification.

Progressive sanctification is what slowly separates the people of God from the world and makes them more and more like Christ Jesus.

Sanctification differs from justification in several ways. Justification is a one-time work of God, which results in His declaring “not guilty” to those who have believed Him (1 Jn.5:10-13), and accepts the work of Christ on the cross (Jn.3:15-16). Sanctification is a process, which starts with justification and continues throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that represents a TRUE Christian’s life . . . sanctification is the line itself.

Sanctification is a three-stage process, past, present and future.
The first stage happens at the beginning (birth, Jn1:12-13; 3:3-8) of our Christian lives. It is a preliminary moral change, which breaks us away from the power, love and lust of sin. It is where we can count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Rom.6:11). When sanctification begins, we are no longer under sin’s power (Rom.6:14). Our desires are rearranged, as we develop a love of God and His righteousness. We are no longer slaves of sin, but servants of righteousness (Rom.6:17-18).

The second stage of sanctification needs a lifetime to complete. As we grow in grace, we slowly but surely change to be more like Jesus with each passing day (2 Cor.3:18). This process is one of daily spiritual renewal (Col.3:10). The apostle Paul was being sanctified even as he ministered to others. Paul claimed that he had not reached perfection, but that he pressed on to attain everything Christ desired for him (Phil.3:12).

The third and final stage of sanctification happens in the distant future. When believers die, their spirits go to be with Christ (2 Cor.5:6-8). Since NOTHING unclean can ever enter Heaven (Rev.21:27), we must be made perfect . . . BEFORE we enter Heaven! The sanctification of the whole person . . . body, soul, and spirit, will finally be complete when the Lord Jesus Returns (Rev.19:11-21; Zec.14:1-5), and we receive glorified bodies (Phil.3:21; 1 Cor.15:35-49).

God’s work in sanctification involves all three members of the Trinity. God the Father is constantly at work in His children “to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil.2:13). He changes our desires, so that we want to please Him, and He empowers us to do so. Jesus paid for our sanctification on the cross and, in reality, has become our Sanctification (1 Cor.1:30),
and Perfecter of our faith (Heb.12:2). The Holy Spirit is the main Agent of our sanctification (1 Cor.6:11; 2 Thes.2:13; 1 Pet.1:2), and He is the One, the ONLY One, who produces in us the fruit of sanctification (Gal.5:22-23).

Our role in sanctification is both passive and active. Passively, we must trust God to sanctify us, presenting our bodies to God (Rom.6:13; 12:1) and yielding to the Holy Spirit. It is God's will that we should be sanctified (1Thes.4:3), and God will have His way.

Actively, we are responsible to choose to do what is right. Each of us should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable (1 Thes.4:4), and which involves mortifying the deeds of the body (Rom.8:13), and striving for holiness (Heb.12:14), fleeing immorality (1 Cor.6:18), cleansing ourselves from every defilement (2 Cor.7:1), and making every effort to increase our faith (2 Pet.1:5-11).

Both the inactive and the active role are needed for a healthy Christian life. We should never emphasize the passive (inactive) role, because that may tend to lead to spiritual laziness and neglecting spiritual discipline. The end result of this course of action is a lack of maturity. On the other hand, to emphasize the active role can lead to pride and self-righteousness, which could result in a Christian life without joy. As we pursue holiness, we must remember that only Almighty God can empower us to do this. The end result of uniform sanctification is a steady, mature Christian life that will faithfully reflect the nature of our awesome and holy God.

John makes it clear that we will never be totally free from sin in this life (1 Jn.1:8-10), and praise God, the work of sanctification that God has started in us He will finish (Phil.1:6).