September 04, 2002 (5).
LOVE THE TRUTH OR PAY THE PRICE. Embrace the Word or face < STRONG DELUSION >. A deception ordained of God because of the extreme unrighteousness of the people and their utter rejection of the truth. Because they have no love for the truth, they will believe a lie and reap the consequences. The pleasure of sin is the heart and cause of their condemnation. Buy the truth and sell it not. 2 Thes. 2:10-12 The greatest deception of the ages confronts the church in the end of the age. There is a true church and there is a false church.
REGARDING THE RAPTURE AND OUR CATCHING UP. The word <coming> is once again the parousia or the rapture. It is well that we head the words of Paul recorded here. There is no question as to the subject matter of his writing. 2 Thes. 2:1 It is also very apparent that he is not expecting the rapture to take place in his life time. His instructions concerning that day are excellent even for we who live in this day. We are not to be quickly alarmed by a prophecy, report or letter that the day of the Lord is at hand. There are events that must precede that wonderful occurrence. 2 Thes. 2:2
THAT DAY SHALL NOT TAKE PLACE. Do not be deceived as to the coming of that day. The current religious thinking of many pertaining, to the Second Coming of Christ, it is a perfect <setup> for the deception that will be perpetrated on the world, in the spectacular appearance and revelation of the false Christ. THE ANTICHRIST MUST COME FIRST. The antichrist will create havoc and a rebellion or apostasy in the last day church. This is a certainty. He will split and divide the carnal believers from the true church. The number of whom is indicated as being one-third of the church. His tail dragged down a third of the stars {saints} and threw them to the earth. Rev. 12:4 Not very gentle is he? Do not fall into his hands, you will not like it. This is the time of his revelation. Even though he is called the man of sin or lawlessness, he will find a following among the rebels of the church. He is also titled the son of perdition or destruction. We who live in the end of the age are sufficiently warned concerning the dangers of the day in which we live. For instance, consider those things that indicate the < perilous times > spoken of by Paul in his letter to Timothy. The attitude of the hearts of men are exactly as he said they would be. 2 Tim. 3:1-3 How frightening are his words to Timothy as recorded in 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Once again the condition described here is exactly what we find in the church world today. Then in his first letter to Timothy he gives an account, by the Spirit, of the last days and the conditions that shall prevail. Here, there is mentioned that departure or leaving of the faith or doctrines of Christ. The consequences can only be confusion and utter chaos in the hearts of unconsecreated and unlearned Christians. It is time to solidify and build up our most holy faith in the Lord. 1 Tim. 4:1-3