Deceived by "Miracles"

I want to go back to verses 9-12 of chapter two.

2Th. 2:9-12 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; 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: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These verses declare that when Antichrist comes on the scene, he will possess miraculous deceptive powers. I have talked with people who say they will get things right with God if they see the rapture take place. I do believe there will be many who come to saving faith during the last several years on planet earth, but I tend to believe that group will come from those who have not heard a clear presentation of the gospel and rejected it. That belief stems from the wording of these verses. These verses clearly indicate that those have rejected God’s message of truth as recorded in His word and declared by His Son Jesus will be sent a strong delusion to believe the lies of the Antichrist as attested to by his “miracles.”

Scripture is clear in declaring that God is not willing that any should perish and that the sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient for every sinner.

2Pet. 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1Tim. 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all….

Scripture is also clear that man can come to the point that God gives him over to his sin—He hardens his heart.

Rom. 1:24-26 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections….

2Chr. 30:7-8 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Psa. 81:11-12 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

Ex. 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

We cannot question God’s rightness or righteousness in determining to “harden” someone’s heart or “give them over” to their sin. Point is made that they had chosen to reject God, so He is just giving them what they desire. I personally believe that decision is made in God’s omniscience. Scripture is clear that the Lord will not lose one who will come to Him in faith.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

This concludes the series from Thessalonians.