Forum11.28. July 8, 2011.
Subject: Watching powerful delusion at work!
Scriptures for this study: 2 Thes.2:9-15
A. Theme scriptures different translations comparison: 2 Thes.2:10-12ASVà
with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth,
that they might be saved.
2:11 And for this cause God send them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
NIVà and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.
They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
2:11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
2:12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
B. From original text word translation to help us understand!
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: …
Unrighteousnessà a deed violating law and justice in religion.
Deceit which unrighteousness uses.
Powerful delusionà an operation of errorà become able to subject all things to himself.
Ability to persuade themselves to live in error with comfort!
C. What does God send them?
1. According to ASV, it is a working of error.
2. According to NIV, it is a powerful delusion.
D. Real life examples to help you understand!
Yes, you, not me!
Their formulaà whenever they come to an instruction written clearly in the Bible that they do not practice,
they have a reason to persuade themselves to ignore that instruction and continue living with whatever they
already adopted or practice in their lives!
Yes, they say they really believe, everyone should follow what says in the Bible.
Even though clearly they are not doing so! Such asà 1. The name of their church!
They said this is because different believers have different calls from God.
It is God’s inspiration that they start their denomination and help evangelize the world!
Yes, the name church of Christ is good and is written in the Bible! But this is your calling from God….
2. How about eating the Lord’s Supper on 1st day of the week?
Answer: No one in the world is able to do everything says in the Bible!
We are doing according to what God has provided us! That is 1 Peter 4:11 and it is what you said you do!
3. How about obey all ordinances of local authority for the Lord’s sake in 1 Peter 2:13?
It is different calling from God!
E. How can we stay away from this trap? 2 Thes.2:13-15
2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Recognize the above and do the next!)
2:15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught,
whether by word, or by epistle of ours.
(Bible tradition!)***Operation of errorà Know what is wrong but able to live it with comfort!
The truth will not dawn to them until they see Jesus and be told:
You evil doers depart from me! Matt.7:21-23