2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

A word of Warning, continued

VERSE 11 and 12 “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 (in falsehoods, errors).”

The level of damnation (judgement) is scaled proportionate to our enlightenment. Enlightenment is a blessing, not a curse, yet some are willingly ignorant because they do not want the responsibility of knowing too much. They prefer to remain in darkness in ignorance to impending events.

That type of reasoning, which appeals to the old nature, is Satanic. If the Apostle Paul were on the scene today, he would attempt to buoy us up with bundles of energy, but he would also be very searching in his comments. He would not flatter everyone by any means, as many willingly choose ignorance and to remain in darkness to the “times and seasons” i.e. to prophecy.

Proverbs 1:22-33 spells it out to us quite clearly:

“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity (prefer to remain in ignorance)? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge (truth, understanding). Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words (the truth) known to you.

Nevertheless because I have called and you refused (to listen), I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel (my advice, my warnings as received through my word and my servants), and would have none of my rebuke (correction), I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm (in the great time of trouble approaching), And your destruction comes like a whirlwind (in fierce trouble, See Jer 30:23), When distress and anguish come upon you. Then (during the great time of trouble) they (implying two separate classes of individuals, one who will seek the Lord and find him, compare Prov 8:17, and one who) will call on me, but I will not answer; they (this second group of individuals) will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge (despised the truth) and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke (every warning, as contained in my word). Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies (they shall be given over to the delusion of their own choosing, that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness, in error and disbelief, See 2 Thess 2:12). For the turning away (the waywardness) of the simple (the ignorant, that is those who deliberately choose to be ignorant) will slay them, and the complacency (contentment) of fools (the ignorant) will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Comment: In the beginning of Verse 10, the Diaglott uses the term “are perishing” rather than “perish,” the thought being “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that are perishing [or are in the way of perishing].” In other words, if this condition is not corrected, depending on what class is being addressed, it leads to Second Death.

Reply: Yes, Second Death is the end of the path if that way (the way of deliberate ignorance) is continually followed, and of course our path is the present life. We are to be faithful unto death in the present life, whereas the world has the Kingdom Age before them. Those still under Adamic condemnation have not yet come to the light. Stated another way, if Adamic condemnation is not lifted, the sentence of death remains on the individual. The Scriptures seem to suggest that in the next age there will be some stubborn individuals who, when they come forth from the tomb, will refuse to bend the knee to Christ. Because they refuse to listen to “that prophet,” they will be cut off summarily (Acts 3:23). They will die the Second Death, but in their case Second Death will be Adamic death because they would not accept the provision of salvation.

In our next post we should like to present the 1981 study on 2 Thess 2:9-12 (our four primary warning verses), as they are viewed pertaining specifically to the fully consecrated.