What Scripture calls 'strong delusion' is something that happens after someone dies, not while they are alive. Moreover, strong delusion is reserved only for the unredeemed. Specifically, strong delusion is what a person experiences in Hell and it is unique to that individual. In other words, everyone will experience something different, according to what God chooses for them.
Let's review the verses:
The context is the Man of Sin being revealed. The Lord comes to destroy him. This sounds like end times.
Again, the Man of Sin is revealed. Note that the strong delusion has not happened yet.
Now the context shifts into the afterlife. 'Them that perish' is an obvious reference to those that are dead. They are past being saved.
And here we have the famous verse. Now that the unredeemed are dead, God will then send them strong delusion, in the afterlife. In other words, strong delusion is when one experiences the torments of Hell.
Again, we see that Scripture is redundantly reinforcing the fact that the strong delusion happens to the damned in the afterlife.
So the big question is... what exactly is this 'strong delusion'. For the answer, we turn to the Old Testament:
Not only is the strong delusion something that God chooses, it is also what a person fears the most put on them. This is a terrifying thought! Imagine your worst fears coming true. That is what the strong delusion is. That is what people will experience in Hell according to the Word of God.
When does strong delusion happen? After the End Times:
Look:
See? Strong delusion happens after the Lord returns.
Look:
In summary, the strong delusion happens after the Man of Sin is revealed and after the Lord returns and after the unsaved are all dead.
Now you finally know. You're welcome.
Let's review the verses:
2 Thessalonians 2:8 - "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"
The context is the Man of Sin being revealed. The Lord comes to destroy him. This sounds like end times.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 - "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
Again, the Man of Sin is revealed. Note that the strong delusion has not happened yet.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 - "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
Now the context shifts into the afterlife. 'Them that perish' is an obvious reference to those that are dead. They are past being saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 - "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"
And here we have the famous verse. Now that the unredeemed are dead, God will then send them strong delusion, in the afterlife. In other words, strong delusion is when one experiences the torments of Hell.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Again, we see that Scripture is redundantly reinforcing the fact that the strong delusion happens to the damned in the afterlife.
So the big question is... what exactly is this 'strong delusion'. For the answer, we turn to the Old Testament:
Isaiah 66:4 - "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."
Not only is the strong delusion something that God chooses, it is also what a person fears the most put on them. This is a terrifying thought! Imagine your worst fears coming true. That is what the strong delusion is. That is what people will experience in Hell according to the Word of God.
When does strong delusion happen? After the End Times:
Isaiah 66:15-16 "For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many."
Look:
Isaiah 66:18 "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."
See? Strong delusion happens after the Lord returns.
Look:
Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain."
In summary, the strong delusion happens after the Man of Sin is revealed and after the Lord returns and after the unsaved are all dead.
Now you finally know. You're welcome.
