Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 8 October 2017

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Here we have Paul, after his detailed discourse on end times events, going back to a train of thought from the beginning of the epistle, and then expanding on it. In verse 1:3, he said –

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other…”

In the same type of fashion, being bound to giving thanks, he begins with, “But we.” There is an emphasis on the word “we” which is given to contrast Paul and his associates with those mentioned in verses 10-12. The contrast, though, is actually made between those mentioned and the Thessalonians who, along with Paul and his companions, are set apart from those who are lost. This is seen at the end of the clause, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you.”

Paul has written of those who would be lost, and why they would be lost. He would only do this as one who was setting himself apart from that group. His words here unite the Thessalonian believers into that same setting apart. This is first evidenced by the words, “brethren beloved by the Lord.”

First, they are “brethren.” Secondly, they are “beloved by the Lord.” The word “beloved” is in the perfect tense, showing its completed nature. They have been beloved by the Lord, and they are beloved of the Lord. This is essentially the same phrase that he used of them in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 where he used the word “God” instead of “Lord.” Thus, one can logically make the connection that in Paul’s mind, Jesus the Lord is God.

It is this Lord, who is God, that Paul continues his thoughts with. He states, “because God from the beginning chose you.” This is the only time in the New Testament that the Greek word translated as “chose” is used concerning God’s election. It is used in the Greek Old Testament (such as in Deuteronomy 26:18), which is surely what is on Paul’s mind, concerning Israel having been chosen as the Lord’s peculiar people.

As this is not the ordinary word when speaking of election, implying His eternal selection, it means that He has “taken for Himself.” He has adopted them according to His eternal purpose. There is a group of people who would come to Him by faith in Christ, and He has adopted them as His own. This was His eternal selection, and it was “from the beginning.” The words here mean “from eternity.” God knew before He created what would come to pass, and who would make certain choices, and He elected those “for salvation.”

God chose to save certain people in a certain way, and He did it before anything was created. “I will save, and this is how that salvation will occur.” Paul then goes on to explain that process which is first “through sanctification by the Spirit.” The words here actually read in the Greek, “in sanctification by the Spirit.” Sanctification is the mode of salvation. Christ did the work and, in our faith in that, we are sanctified, thus bringing about our salvation.

The Spirit of God will sanctify those who are to be saved. This is necessary because being saved implies that one is first fallen. One must be saved “from” something and “to” something. Man is fallen and separated from God; man must be sanctified in order to be reconciled to God. This is the work of the Spirit, but it is based on “belief in the truth.”

Belief in the truth is man’s part in the equation. It is here contrasted with those who “believe the lie” of verse 11, and “did not believe the truth” of verse 12, of this same chapter. There, those who did not believe were then said to be condemned. Here, those who believe are said to be saved. In both, man is involved in the process (synergism). God elected those who would believe; He elected them to be sanctified by the Spirit; and He elected them to be saved. God chose the means of salvation, and He laid it out for those who would hear and heed.

Condemnation already exists (John 3:18), but it is also a choice when one hears and rejects the truth. One willingly stays in their default position of condemnation, or that person willingly chooses the path of salvation and is saved. The doctrine of monergism is not at all evident in this process. It is true that the choice of how salvation would come about is solely up to God, but the choice allows man to freely choose that “how.” It also allows him to willingly decline the same if it is presented to him.

Life application: Salvation is a gift. A gift is not forced upon a person, but it must willingly be accepted. The Person and work of Jesus Christ is that gift, and it is offered to you to accept or reject. Be wise; be discerning; choose life.

Lord God, You have offered a Gift to the people of the world. It is a Gift of life. A gift which is forced on another is no gift at all, and so You have given us a choice to receive or decline Your Gift of Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Those who receive this are the elect of God and will never be separated from You again. New life has come! Thank you for offering the Gift. May many people reach out and receive it today! Amen.

Saturday, 7 October 2017

…that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:12

“That” is referring to “God sends them a strong delusion” of verse 11. As noted in the previous verse, the “strong delusion” or literally, the “working of error” will be begun by God, but it will be responded to by the people in a way where they carry the blame for their actions. God is not purposefully sending people to hell. He allows them to make their own beds, but He provides the opportunity for them to do so. This is actually confirmed in the coming words of this verse.

“They all” is speaking of those referred to in verses 10 & 11. Paul says (according to this translation) “that they all may be condemned.” The word “condemned” here is incorrect, as is the term “damned” used by the KJV. The Greek word krinó simply means “to judge.” Condemnation may be implied here, but it is based on judgment on those “who did not believe the truth.” Here is the key to the entire passage, belief.

God does not ask the world to do great or fantastic things in order to be saved. He simply asks for faith. No matter how great or how fantastic our deeds are, they can never replace faith in what He has offered. In demonstrating faith, it then conveys the fact that God is righteous. In accepting this, we then should naturally desire to pursue Him in this capacity. But because of unbelief, those who are to be judged “had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Such a delight in that which is opposed to righteousness is incompatible with what is true, moral, and holy. Instead of lacking understanding what is right, they simply desire what is morally perverse; they believe the lie. It is a willful rejection on their part, and it is what condemns them. It is completely unnecessary to find an active sending of delusion by God into the minds of man in order for him to be judged. Rather, God provides the opportunity for those who willingly reject Him to receive what they deserve.

Life application: What does God desire from you? He simply asks for faith in what Christ has done. From that springboard, we should naturally desire to be like Him, to follow Him in righteousness, and to be holy just as He is holy. If we fail to do these things, it does not negate that we demonstrated the faith that saved us. If it were to do so, then we would not be saved by grace through faith. Our salvation would still be conditioned on what we do. Have faith, and then be responsible enough to exercise that faith in right living.

Lord God, how weak we are in our natural selves that we would see what Christ has done, accept it by faith, and then be unwilling to do our best to emulate Him and be obedient to Your word! You save us by your grace through faith, and so help us to live out that salvation in a manner which is holy, pure, and acceptable to You. And in order to do that, we must know what You expect. And so give us the desire to pick up the Bible, read it, and apply it to our lives. Amen.

Friday, 6 October 2017

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 2 Thessalonians 2:11

“And for this reason” is given based on what had just been said in the previous two verses. Antichrist will come according to the working of Satan. He will be infused with Satan’s power, signs, and lying wonders, as well as with all unrighteous deception. This will be “among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Because they preferred the lies and false powers of Satan over the truth, a natural response results. It is that “God will send them strong delusion.”

The Greek literally reads, “a working of error.” It is an active power of misleading, and it is ascribed to God. However, as a Hebraism, it doesn’t require actual direct, positive influence by God. A classic example of this process is found in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in the Exodus account, prior to the actual exodus from Egypt. Carefully following along in that account, different words are used to describe this hardening process. God acts, Pharaoh responds. At each step, Pharaoh is progressively built up in the hardness of his own heart. It will often state, “…but Pharaoh hardened his heart.” And yet it states at other times, “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh.”

It is this process which will come about in the people of the world. The “working of error” will be begun by God, but it will be responded to by the people in a way where they carry the blame for their actions. To understand this, we can use a boxing match as an example.

Boxer A wants to defeat his enemy, but he wants to do it in a particular way, demonstrating that he has total control over the match. He goes into the ring, and actively throws a weak, ineffective punch. The opponent perceives this as a foe who is not up to the challenge. He takes the offensive, expending energy which should be kept in reserve. Boxer A responds with a bit more force, but still with a perceived ineffective approach. The foe hardens his heart and comes back with his own elevated response. This continues, step by step, exactly as it did with the Lord and Pharaoh. Pharaoh was lulled into complete destruction because of the incremental nature of the war against him. Boxer A eventually destroys his foe because his foe has slowly grown more frustrated, and thus more reckless as the match intensified. In the end, Pharaoh was willing to do the unthinkable by driving his army between walls of water in order to pursue his enemies. The working of error on God’s part was fully effective in allowing Pharaoh to utterly destroy himself and his army. Boxer A stands over his opponent who is down for the count.

This is how God works in such matters, and there are other such examples in Scripture, each given so that his enemies “believe the lie.” God does not lie, but rather the lie is formed in their own minds by accepting the situation around them as if it is within their control, when in fact it is completely within the control of God. This is important to understand, because there were those under Pharaoh who understood what was happening. They told Pharaoh that what was occurring was “the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). They also implored him saying, “Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” (Exodus 10:7). And when Israel went out of Egypt, a mixed multitude went with them, understanding that the Lord was leading them.

Such instances show us that what will occur is God-directed, and each person will have to make their own choice. The majority of the earth will follow Antichrist and be destroyed; self destruction will come upon them. However, the Bible speaks of a “great white multitude” who will come out of the great tribulation who are comprised of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues (see Revelation 7). They will not be caught up in the “working of error” which comes upon the world, but rather they will be willing to die for the God they had once rejected, but came to realize was the One true God.

Life application: That which has been will be again. In order to understand what lies ahead, we can look at what has already occurred. The Bible shows us the depravity of man. It shows us the hardness of the human heart as well. But it also shows us the remedy for these things. It is to love the truth, and to trust in Christ Jesus, the Lord. In this, man can and will be saved.

Lord God, You certainly work in all of our lives at times, calling us to You through subtle means in order to wake us up from our spiritual slumber. For those who are wise, they will look at what occurs and seek to find out the truth of the Source. Help those of us who are saved to keep our eyes open to these things. And for those who do not yet know You, give them the wisdom to stop… and contemplate what has occurred so that they will then turn and seek You out. May it be so! Amen.

Thursday, 5 October 2017

…and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

The words, “and with all unrighteous deception,” are tied into the previous thought. Paul had just said that when the Antichrist comes, it would be with “all power, signs, and lying wonders.” Along with that, he will bring “all unrighteous deception.” The thought expands the previous three points. Everything about the Antichrist will be filled with unrighteous deception. In this, there is deceit being worked out, and that deceit is specifically for the purpose of committing unrighteousness. This will be evidenced, then, “among those who perish.”

This is speaking not of those who commit the deception, but of those who are the objects of it. They will be utterly deluded by the wiles of the Antichrist. Instead of looking for God, they will have their eyes fixed on this person, the one who most wholly manifests and embodies Satan. They will believe the lie and those who do not love the truth will be condemned for it. As Paul says of them, “because they did not receive the love of the truth.”

The “love of the truth” is speaking of the gospel of Christ which alone can save the soul. The word “because” gives the sense of judicial standing. They had, in fact, been offered the truth, but they turned it down. These people entered the tribulation period because they had refused to check on whether the Christian message was true or not. They will continue to refuse the message which will obviously be received by some who will not take the mark of the beast. A testimony to the truth will stand, but they will willingly refuse it. This is not at all a matter of predestination such as Calvin would teach, stating that they are condemned apart from hearing the truth. Rather it is a willing refusal of the truth.

This will be seen further as the next verse is introduced. For now though Paul simply declares the fact that those who follow Antichrist will not receive the love of the truth, “that they might be saved.” The obvious implication is that, if they did receive it, they would be saved. Salvation because of the truth of God in Christ does not end with the rapture of the church. Instead, it is that which alone can save, at any time and in any dispensation. However, these people will willingly receive error and falsity rather than accept the simple gospel – salvation is by grace through faith. Thus, their condemnation is just.

Life application: The words of this verse are true even today. There are countless false religions and cults out there who strive against God, introducing error and falsehood into their theology. But the truth of the message of Christ is available for any who will simply pick up the Bible and read it. But the general condition of man is to follow deception rather than truth. One must willingly put aside self, accept that we have no merit before God, and receive the simple gospel. If we fail to do this, we remain enemies of God, and our condemnation is just.

Lord God, it is pretty obvious that the natural human condition is to follow a path which is contrary to You. We tend to insert ourselves into any hope of salvation, as if we can somehow merit Your favor. But Your word shows that salvation is completely apart from our merits. Instead, we are to receive the work of Jesus by faith, and then to trust that it alone is sufficient for our salvation. May we never trust in our own merits. Instead, may we simply call out for Jesus, and continue to trust in His work to carry us home to You. Thank You for what He alone has done! Amen.

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Paul now uses words which are more than just descriptive talk about the Antichrist. Instead, they are given as a contrast to the coming of Christ in His power. The Greek word for “coming” is the same often given concerning the second coming of Christ, parousia. It is a word which indicates an arrival, or an advent. Paul uses this word to contrast the two arrivals. The coming of Christ is according to the redemptive working of God; the coming of the Antichrist is according to the destructive working of Satan. One results in salvation for His people; one results in destruction for those who follow him.

It is a coming which Paul, as noted, does more than merely describe, but rather purposely contrasts to Christ. The Antichrist will be revealed “with all power, signs, and lying wonders.” Scholars argue over the placement of the word “lying.” Does it only describe “wonders,” or does it describe all three of the aspects given? The most likely answer is that it describes all three. This is how, for example, the Holman Bible translates it (translating the word as “false”) –

“The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders.”

As Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), the working of Antichrist fits in perfectly with the one from whom his workings are derived. Each of these three descriptors has been used when speaking of Jesus, such as in Romans 15:19 (and elsewhere), and so applying them to the Antichrist as “false” workings, gives us the needed contrast to see how much greater Christ is.

Being God, and possessing God’s unlimited power, Christ Jesus displays that power perfectly. His signs are true, and they are a confirmation of His place within the Godhead. And His wonders are intended to bring glory to God. On the other hand, the power of the Antichrist is limited. It is a false power, merely granted to him until the fullness of judgment has come upon the world. At that time, it will be shown ineffective against Christ Jesus. His signs are false, proving that his power is not godly, but Satanic. And his wonders are intended for self glorification, not the glorifying of God. Everything about him is a cheap knockoff, and it will eventually be proven as such.

Life application: How easily people are deceived into believing lies. Even Christians are duped constantly by those who present false gospels (Galatians 1:6-8), false doctrines (Romans 16:17), false displays of power (Benny Hinn), and false predictions (the rapture did not happen on 23 September 2017). How easy then it would be for Christians to believe the false presentations of the Antichrist. But such will not be the case. God will keep His people from such lies. For now, the cure for being duped by false teachings is to KEEP YOUR NOSE IN THE BIBLE. Read! Study! Show yourself approved! KNOW YOUR BIBLE!

Lord God, Your precious word, and experience in life as well, shows us that even those who are saved can easily be deceived by false gospels, false doctrine, false displays of power, and false prophecies. It is a chronic problem as we fail to rightly apply the word to our lives. The cure is found there though. You have given it to us for right doctrine and holy living. What a shame we watch TV instead of reading Your word! Help us to get over the stupid, and hold to the good. To Your glory we pray. Amen.