2 Thessalonians Chapter 2
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, 1981 Study, continued.
Verse 10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (AV)
The epistle is addressed to the consecrated, and so is this verse. At the very end of the age, some of the consecrated will be perishing “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” This is a stern message.
If other Scriptures did not tell us about the Great Company, Verse 10 would sound as if there were only two possibilities: (1) those who are not deceived will not perish (Little Flock), and (2) those who are deceived will perish (Second Death). It is true that any of the consecrated who have the spirit of error or the spirit of being deceived will be in danger of “perishing,” but certain Scriptures (such as Jude 23) show that some who will be in a measure deceived will yet be rescued.
See the last comment in Part 34 in regards to the true thought behind the word “perishing”.
In other words, at the very end of the age, all of the consecrated who remain after the feet members are taken off the scene will be in danger of perishing in Second Death unless there is a proper response and repentance. ALL of the consecrated except the feet members WILL BE deceived to a greater or lesser degree, at least momentarily.
Verse 10 is not directed specifically to the nominal Church, the tares, but to the consecrated, to those who have received the truth but not the love of it. This class responded to the truth but with ulterior motives. Even though we may initially receive the truth in the love of it and consecrate on that basis, then, depending on how we respond to trials and experiences— whether we compromise on principle, etc., and thus undergo a deterioration—we would no longer be pursuing the truth because of the love of it. And some have ulterior motives for consecration to begin with. Our love for the truth should be maintained.
Whether we end up in the Little Flock, the Great Company, or Second Death class will depend on how much of the spirit of the truth we have imbibed and been faithful to. A complete or full imbibing will result in the prize for which we were called and destiny as part of the Little Flock, a partial imbibing will result in our losing the prize for which they were called and finding ourselves a part of the Great Company class, and neglect brings Second Death. The Great Company does the Lord’s will but not joyfully and out of love for it; they act out of necessity and because of circumstances of life that bring them to their senses.
Verses 9–12 refer to the end of the age. During the Lord’s presence the Adversary will work with an energetic operation that will have the effect of delusion. Since both the world and the worldly church, the church nominal have been under Satan’s influence all along, throughout the Gospel Age, these verses refer specifically to something Satan will try to do to the consecrated before the Gospel Age fully ends. In other words, when Satan deceives all but the Very Elect, some in the truth will also be deceived and thus incur a more responsible judgment than the world. The world will be deceived too, but they will have a future opportunity.
Continued with next post.
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, 1981 Study, continued.
Verse 10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (AV)
The epistle is addressed to the consecrated, and so is this verse. At the very end of the age, some of the consecrated will be perishing “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” This is a stern message.
If other Scriptures did not tell us about the Great Company, Verse 10 would sound as if there were only two possibilities: (1) those who are not deceived will not perish (Little Flock), and (2) those who are deceived will perish (Second Death). It is true that any of the consecrated who have the spirit of error or the spirit of being deceived will be in danger of “perishing,” but certain Scriptures (such as Jude 23) show that some who will be in a measure deceived will yet be rescued.
See the last comment in Part 34 in regards to the true thought behind the word “perishing”.
In other words, at the very end of the age, all of the consecrated who remain after the feet members are taken off the scene will be in danger of perishing in Second Death unless there is a proper response and repentance. ALL of the consecrated except the feet members WILL BE deceived to a greater or lesser degree, at least momentarily.
Verse 10 is not directed specifically to the nominal Church, the tares, but to the consecrated, to those who have received the truth but not the love of it. This class responded to the truth but with ulterior motives. Even though we may initially receive the truth in the love of it and consecrate on that basis, then, depending on how we respond to trials and experiences— whether we compromise on principle, etc., and thus undergo a deterioration—we would no longer be pursuing the truth because of the love of it. And some have ulterior motives for consecration to begin with. Our love for the truth should be maintained.
Whether we end up in the Little Flock, the Great Company, or Second Death class will depend on how much of the spirit of the truth we have imbibed and been faithful to. A complete or full imbibing will result in the prize for which we were called and destiny as part of the Little Flock, a partial imbibing will result in our losing the prize for which they were called and finding ourselves a part of the Great Company class, and neglect brings Second Death. The Great Company does the Lord’s will but not joyfully and out of love for it; they act out of necessity and because of circumstances of life that bring them to their senses.
Verses 9–12 refer to the end of the age. During the Lord’s presence the Adversary will work with an energetic operation that will have the effect of delusion. Since both the world and the worldly church, the church nominal have been under Satan’s influence all along, throughout the Gospel Age, these verses refer specifically to something Satan will try to do to the consecrated before the Gospel Age fully ends. In other words, when Satan deceives all but the Very Elect, some in the truth will also be deceived and thus incur a more responsible judgment than the world. The world will be deceived too, but they will have a future opportunity.
Continued with next post.
