2 Thessalonians: A Strong Footing

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. - 2 Thess.  2:3-4 NIV

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 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. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. - 2 Thess. 2:9-12 NIV

We must always remember that, along with the promise of Christ'a return in 1st Thessalonians, there is a promise of destruction as well.   Paul seems to say that, Christ's appearing will be preceded by a rebellion towards all that the gospel stands for.  The rebellion will not necessarily be overt, but one of deception with counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.

You can see the signs of how that will happen even now.  People are desperate for solutions to the worlds problems, yet refuse to accept the truth that would be the solution, the truth that would set them free.  So when the lie comes along that promises they can have all their needs met without the need for God or his son, they will rush to believe the imposter and as a result, rush to their doom.

We need to take to heart Paul' s admonition to the church at Thessalonica, "stand firm".  That is  all we can do when surrounded by evil, by importers, by those who would twist the truth, stand firm.  We have a strong footing as the world rushes to it's doom.  Hold to the truth.  Stand firm!