What is The Great Delusion?
- Thread starter stunnedbygrace
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Davy
Well-Known Member
You bet I am, for good reason too on Christian forums like this one. It's too... easy for the non-Christian to come here and post. There really aren't any filters, and some of those are very sneaky.
I already gave you my take on Paul's "strong delusion'.
"Apostle Paul's idea of the "strong delusion" is easy enough to understand for those with eyes to see, and ears to hear. It is about deception to that "man of sin" he warned about there in 2 Thessalonians 2, the one who will come working miracles claiming to be God."
BARNEY BRIGHT
Well-Known Member
The Man of Lawlessness is an expression used by the apostle Paul at 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 3 in warning of the great anti-Christian apostasy that would develop before “the day of Jehovah.” Most people today believe this "Man of Lawlessness," is The True God organization. (Church)[the Great Delusion] The“apostasy” here used, a·po·sta·siʹa, denotes more than a mere falling away, an indifferent sliding back. It means a defection, a revolt, a planned, deliberate rebellion. In ancient papyrus documents a·po·sta·siʹa was used politically of rebels.
This rebellion, however, is not a political one. It is a religious one, a revolt against Jehovah God and Jesus Christ and therefore against the Christian congregation.
Jesus Christ and his Apostles Paul and Peter foretold of this apostasy both verbally and in writing, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself warned of its coming. In his illustration of the wheat and the weeds (Mt 13), Jesus said that the Devil would sow “weeds,” imitation Christians, “sons of the wicked one,” among the “wheat,” the “sons of the kingdom.” These would exist until the conclusion of the system of things, when they would be identified and ‘burned up.’
Paul warned the Christian overseers of Ephesus that after his going away “oppressive wolves” would enter in among true Christians and would not treat the flock with tenderness but would try to draw away “the disciples” after themselves (not just making disciples for themselves but trying to draw away the disciples, Christ’s disciples). (Ac 20:29, 30) He wrote, at 1 Timothy 4:1-3: “However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron [feelingless, seared, so that they do not feel any twinges of conscience because of hypocritically speaking lies]; forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of in with thanksgiving.”
Paul later wrote to Timothy that “there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth.”—2Ti 4:3, 4.
Last edited:
in all my searching I've never found a definitive answer.
If I remember right, the literal is something like, God will give them a working of error that they will believe the lie.
There will be a particular lie. The original lie, you will be like God? His lie, that he is god?
Those are my best guesses.
Much love!
If you are referring to 2 Thessalonians 2, the great delusion will be when the unbelieving inhabitants of the world believe the lies of Satan and the Antichrist (during the latter's reign) and take the Mark of the Beast.
Bobby Jo
Well-Known Member
... another non-answer.
It's like the "reviews" on Amazon where a question is asked, and some idiot answers: I don't know. -- The average I.Q. used to be "100". But now I think it's closer to "70".
Bobby Jo
Bobby Jo
Well-Known Member
... a question, which THEY DID NOT ANSWER.
If you simply want people's thoughts on ANY SUBJECT, including whether a dark recess has an unpleasant odor, then ASK FOR THOSE "CONTRIBUTIONS". -- But that's not what you asked. :)
Bobby Jo
Please stop calling these people idiots. You are approaching all of this quite arrogantly. Why are you acting this way? No one has done anything to warrant that you treat them this way.
If I must ignore you until you decide to speak more gently and unrancorously, I will. But its not what I wish to do.
Similar idea to where it says in Romans 1 that God has given a lot of people up to pursue their own lusts, as a consequence of their lack of repentance.
Bobby Jo
Well-Known Member
Phhhhhhhh, -- do what you want, but it ain't me who asked a SPECIFIC QUESTION, and then goes merrily along the forest path picking any flower which happens along the way.
James :6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7, 8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
Whew,
Bobby Jo
Bobby Jo, the new and improved Comet Cleaner. 5 times more abrasive!
Pilgrimer
Member
I didn't read all the responses so if I repeat something I apologize (but I doubt if I did). lol
I think the strong delusion was the belief that the Messianic kingdom would be an earthly kingdom that could be established by the sword. That was the lie that destroyed the Jewish nation, and brought Old Covenant worship to a violent and bloody end.
“Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” Isaiah 66:1-5
In Christ,
Pilgrimer
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
I think this is one of the many faulty positions Pilgrimer, that have folk barking up the wrong tree.
It behooves us all, if we have the humility, to reconsider our paradigm and ask in depth what God's primary objective is?
Isn't it to vindicate his character?.... to reveal to the inhabitants of the Universe that Lucifer's representation of God was and is totally false?
Through humbling himself (God) and identifying with us as a man; taking the just demands of his broken Law into his flesh by giving his flawless life for the fallen race, revealing his nature/character, his rule and his objective as the life preserver/saver beyond any doubt. Subsequently being elevated higher than the highest heavens as is testified, we read that the greatest honours which can be bestowed are bestowed on the Lamb that was slain.
I see the objective of scripture to unfold this mystery so that those believing can have hope and in so doing place the emphasis where it is intended, on him who died for us.
Error muddies the waters so there is no clarity on this matter.
Episkopos said the following in his post #14 which I believe is accurate.
BARNEY BRIGHT
Well-Known Member
I believe it's more than just the papacy although it includes the papacy. I believe many religions that protested against the papacy way who say they follow Jesus Christ took a lot of the false doctrine of the papacy with them so are also part of this apostasy spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Basically many people who grew up in the religions who say they follow Jesus Christ, don't truly follow Jesus Christ but most of these people will not be convinced of that. Most people who say they are Christians (true church) will be imitation Christians (weeds)[apostate church] although will thoroughly believe they're true Christians (true church)[the wheat]. This is the great delusion. Remember that Satan comes as an Angel of light. A lot of people will believe what Satan says will be from The True God.
Naomi25
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2016
- 3,199
- 1,802
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- Australia
I think those here pointing to 2 Thess 2 and how the delusion is strongly tied to "not believing the truth" are onto it. And, I would suppose that would be, specifically, God's truth...maybe even the truth about God. Are we not seeing this more and more today? Truth is but a subjective thing from person to person. Black and white are not even that anymore. It's all about feelings. Feeling are the true compass of truth these days, and I think that ties in with 'self'. Narcissistic tendancies are skyrocketing. And, when we take a step back, these things are the exact opposite to what Jesus told us were the most important "commandments": Love God and love others. People now defy God and love self.
And you would be correct,as the strong delusion will be from God Himself.That's why Christ number one warning was
Matthew 24:3 "And as He sat upon the mount of Olives the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
This mount of Olives is less then a mile from the eastern gate of the temple city. Jesus is alone with His disciples, and this matter bothered them as to what would it be like at His second coming, and the end of this earth age.
Jesus went to great detail of what the events and signs would be just before His second advent, that would mark the end of this flesh age.
Matthew 24:4 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you."
This is the number one warning, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Deception will be the foremost thing to guard against in the latter days, that will consummate the end of this age. This means that these events will not happen all at one time, but will take place over a period of time. These warnings or signs that Jesus is about to give us, are the seven seals that are given us in the Book of Revelation.
These are an exact overlay of the seven events, which are the seven seals that we should be watching for today. At the end of Matthew we will include the thirteenth chapter of Mark, which is an overlay of Matthew twenty four. These events will be spelled out before we are finish, but again, Don't let anyone deceive you.
As crazy as it sounds,it will be for ones own good that they are deceived...
Similar threads
