2 Thessalonians 2: 10 -12
| Received not the Love of the Truth |
| II Thessalonians 2: 10 - 12 ( King James Version ) |
| |
| And will all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. |
| |
| 11 > And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: |
| |
| 12 > That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. |
| |
| |
| II Thessalonians 2: 9 - 12 ( New International Version ) |
| |
| 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. |
| 10 > and in every sort of evil that decieves those that are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. |
| 11 > For this reason the Lord sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. |
| 12 > and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. |
| |
| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
 Those who are unwilling to accept the plain, cutting truths of the Bible are continually seeking for pleasing fables that will quiet the conscience. The less spiritual, self-denying, and humiliating the doctrines presented, the greater the favor with which they are received. These persons degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires. Too wise in their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready to supply the heart's desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth. It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men; and by rejection of the truth because it involves a cross, Protestants are following the same path. All who neglect the word of God to study convenience and policy, that they may not be at variance with the world, will be left to receive damnable heresy for religious truth. Every conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully reject the truth.He who looks with horror upon one deception will readily receive another. The apostle Paul, speaking of a class who "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," declares: "For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12. With such a warning before us it behooves us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we receive. Great Controversy, page 523.2 {4SP 346.1} |
| Says the prophet Isaiah: "When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:19, 20. If men had been willing to receive the truth so plainly stated in the Scriptures concerning the nature of man and the state of the dead, they would see in the claims and manifestations of spiritualism the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders. But rather than yield the liberty so agreeable to the carnal heart, and renounce the sins which they love, multitudes close their eyes to the light and walk straight on, regardless of warnings, while Satan weaves his snares about them, and they become his prey. "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," therefore "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." 2 Thessalonians 2: 10, 11. Great Controversy, page 559.1 {4SP 376.1} {SR 397.1} |
| The only safety now is to search for the truth as revealed in the word of God, as for hid treasure. The subjects of the Sabbath, the nature of man, and the testimony of Jesus are the great and important truths to be understood; these will prove as an anchor to hold God's people in these perilous times. But the mass of mankind despise the truths of God's word and prefer fables. 2 Thessalonians 2: 10, 11: "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." {1T 300.1} |
| As we approach the perils of the last days, the temptations of the enemy become stronger and more determined. Satan has come down in great power, knowing that his time is short; and he is working "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish" (2 Thess. 2:10). The warning comes to us through God's Word that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. {HP 344.2} |
| And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess. 2:10. The truths of the Word of God possess a sanctifying, transforming power. If received into the heart, and carried into the life, they will prove a savor of life unto life. . . . {UL 269.2} |
| |
| These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord is to be preceded by "the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2: 9,10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: "He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do." Revelation 13: 13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan's agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do. Great Controversy, page 553.2 |
Additional links on this topic: