When Does God Send People Strong Delusions To Believe Lies?

[3rdAngel]

I love this story in 1 Kings 22 regarding the king of Israel and the king of Judah. Here's the gist of it.

19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”

Indeed, I like these scrioptures too. What do you think they mean in your view?

 

[Angelina3]

Ahab was the King of Israel at this time and he did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all before him, he walked in the ways of Jeroboam and took the daughter of the Sidonian King "Jezebel" as his wife. He served Baal and erected an altar in Samaria for Baal and also made an asherah. The bible tells us that Ahab " did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him." 1 Kings 16:33. So God sent a "deluding spirit" into the mouth of all his prophets so that he will believe the lies and perish. King Ahab thought he could disguise himself so that what Micaiah had prophesied, would not come to pass.... but he died. You can't hide from God.

 

[3rdAngel]

Ahab was the King of Israel at this time and he did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all before him, he walked in the ways of Jeroboam and took the daughter of the Sidonian King "Jezebel" as his wife. He served Baal and erected an altar in Samaria for Baal and also made an asherah. The bible tells us that Ahab " did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him." 1 Kings 16:33. So God sent a "deluding spirit" into the mouth of all his prophets so that he will believe the lies and perish. King Ahab thought he could disguise himself so that what Micaiah had prophesied, would not come to pass.... but he died. You can't hide from God.

Indeed, how do you think that might relate to 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-13 and what lessons do you think this teaches?

 

[Dave G]

1. WHEN DOES GOD SEND PEOPLE STRONG DELUSIONS TO BELIEVE LIES (v11)?
2. WHY DOES GOD SEND THEM STRONG DELUSIONS?
3. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE NOT TO RECEIVING STRONG DELUSIONS?

1) Whenever He wants.
He treats sinful, unrepentant men according to the good pleasure of His will, and bestows mercy and compassion upon whomsoever He wills ( Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:14-18 ).
That's why salvation is termed as a gift ( Romans 6:23 ), and not as a reward.

2) So that His purposes are accomplished.
For example, in the passage listed, He sends them strong delusions because they do not receive the knowledge of the truth.
Judiciously, they will then believe the lie that Anti-Christ ( "that Wicked, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth", the subject of verses 3- 8 in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-13 ) is the Christ...even though he will not be.
They will all, with the exception of the elect, take the mark of the beast and God will judge them for it.

All people outside of Christ automatically reject the Lord's words, anyway ( John 8:47, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 8:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:14 ), and are blind to the truth of the Gospel ( 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ) unless God reveals His Son to them ( Matthew 11:27 ).

3) They must be ordained to eternal life ( Acts of the Apostles 13:48 ), be one of Christ's sheep ( John 10:26 ), be foreknown, predestinated, called, justified and glorified ( Romans 8:29-30 ), be chosen to salvation ( 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ) and called by the Gospel ( 2 Thessalonians 2:14 ).

Those are the conditions that God imposes upon those who will not have strong delusion sent to them...

His mercy and grace.
In other words, eternal life ( John 17:2-3 ).

 

[3rdAngel]

1) Whenever He wants.
He treats sinful, unrepentant men according to the good pleasure of His will, and bestows mercy and compassion upon whomsoever He wills ( Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:14-18 ).
That's why salvation is termed as a gift ( Romans 6:23 ), and not as a reward.

2) So that His purposes are accomplished.
For example, in the passage listed, He sends them strong delusions because they do not receive the knowledge of the truth.
Judiciously, they will then believe the lie that Anti-Christ ( "that Wicked, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth", the subject of verses 3- 8 in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-13 ) is the Christ...even though he will not be.
They will all, with the exception of the elect, take the mark of the beast and God will judge them for it.

All people outside of Christ automatically reject the Lord's words, anyway ( John 8:47, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 3:10-18, Romans 8:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:14 ), and are blind to the truth of the Gospel ( 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ) unless God reveals His Son to them ( Matthew 11:27 ).

3) They must be ordained to eternal life ( Acts of the Apostles 13:48 ), be one of Christ's sheep ( John 10:26 ), be foreknown, predestinated, called, justified and glorified ( Romans 8:29-30 ), be chosen to salvation ( 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ) and called by the Gospel ( 2 Thessalonians 2:14 ).

Those are the conditions that God imposes upon those who will not have strong delusion sent to them...

His mercy and grace.
In other words, eternal life ( John 17:2-3 ).

I would say the questions can be answered more simply. God sends leave people to have strong delusions when he gives someone a "KNOWLEDGE" of the truth of his WORD and they choose to reject it in order to practice sin because they did not receive a "LOVE" of the "TRUTH" that they might be saved *ACTS 17:30; 2 THESSALONIANS 2:10; HEBREWS 10:26-39

God's sheep hear his Voice (the Word) and follow him.

 

[3rdAngel]

What about the lies we are fed today by many of the churches that teach 'SUNDAY as a replacement for Gods' 4th commandment which is one of God's 10 commandments? Or these same churches that teach "SUNDAY" is "THE LORD'S DAY? These are man made traditions that have led many (unknowingly or knowingly) to break the commandments of God. JESUS says all those who "KNOWINGLY" follow the teachings and traditions of men are not following God *MATTHEW 15:3-9. Now we know in times of "IGNORANCE" when we do not know any better God winks at but when he gives us a "KNOWLEDGE" of the truth calls all men everywhere to believe and follow his Word *ACTS 17:30-31....

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER WE RECEIVE A "KNOWLEDGE" OF THE TRUTH AND REJECT IT?

 

[Yeshua1]

God sends us strong delusions to believe lies when he gives us a knowledge of the truth of his Word and we reject it. This is a result of not having a LOVE of the truth and loving darkness rather than light because of evil deeds.

That will be to the lost , who will receive the doctrines of demons, and finally accept Antichrist, and reject the true Christ!

 

[Yeshua1]

Do you know what Grace is for?

Needed by us in order to get and stay saved, as NONE ever had been saved apart from it!

 

[3rdAngel]

Needed by us in order to get and stay saved, as NONE ever had been saved apart from it!

Hi Yeshua, thanks for trying to answer the question asked. I did not ask why God's GRACE is needed by us. I asked what is is for or why did God give us his GRACE? (scripture please).

 

[Gentle-Warrior]

WHEN DOES GOD SEND PEOPLE STRONG DELUSIONS TO BELIEVE LIES?

Simple OP based on the scriptures that say..

2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-13
[1], Now we beseech you, brothers, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him,
[2], That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
[3], Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4], Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
[5], Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
[6], And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time.
[7], For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.
[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:
[9], Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[10], And with all delusion 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.
[13], But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

...............

QUESTIONS FOR THE OP

1. WHEN DOES GOD SEND PEOPLE STRONG DELUSIONS TO BELIEVE LIES (v11)?
2. WHY DOES GOD SEND THEM STRONG DELUSIONS?
3. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE NOT TO RECEIVING STRONG DELUSIONS?

Scriptures please

1-3) God does not send people strong delusions. Your understanding of the text is incomplete because God does not induce deception. The idea behind Paul's words has to do with Hebrew cultural-language where God is thought of being involved in all things and all peoples whether for good or for evil. God is soc

In this case, the reference is made about people who refuse to accept the truth over a period of time. Once they harden their hearts beyond a certain limit, God leaves them alone to receive a strong delusion from the enemy. Case in point is Pharaoh where he hardened his heart beyond the limit God had set for him.

 

[3rdAngel]

1-3) God does not send people strong delusions. Your understanding of the text is incomplete because God does not induce deception. The idea behind Paul's words has to do with Hebrew cultural-language where God is thought of being involved in all things and all peoples whether for good or for evil. God is soc

In this case, the reference is made about people who refuse to accept the truth over a period of time. Once they harden their hearts beyond a certain limit, God leaves them alone to receive a strong delusion from the enemy. Case in point is Pharaoh where he hardened his heart beyond the limit God had set for him.

Hi thanks for sharing your thoughts. How do you know what my understanding of the scripture is when you have not asked? [11], And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. It is more like God will leave them to believe and follow what they wish because they did not receive a love of the truth that they might be saved v10.

As it is written, In times of "IGNORANCE" God winks at but when he gives us a "KNOWLEDGE" of the truth calls all men everywhere to "BELIEVE and FOLLOW" his Word *ACTS 17:30-31.

If we however, sin "WILLFULLY" after we receive a "KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH" there remains no more sacrifice for sin but a fearful looking forward to the judgment to come *HEWBREWS 10:26-31.

May you receive God's Word and be blessed.

 

[Yeshua1]

Hi Yeshua, thanks for trying to answer the question asked. I did not ask why God's GRACE is needed by us. I asked what is is for or why did God give us his GRACE? (scripture please).

God decreed from eternity past that some of the lost sinners like you and me would be saved by that grace, in order to bring glory to Himself!

 

[3rdAngel]

God decreed from eternity past that some of the lost sinners like you and me would be saved by that grace, in order to bring glory to Himself!

Did you mean God knows the end from the beggining and knows some will choose his salvation and some would not? We are being saved and have the "hope" of salvation today but no one receive salvation until they endure temptation to the end "believing and following" God's Word *JAMES 1:12?

 

[Gentle-Warrior]

God decreed from eternity past that some of the lost sinners like you and me would be saved by that grace, in order to bring glory to Himself!

No, He didn't. God does not will for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2Pe. 3:9). The cross is God's message of love to the whole world.

God decreed that Jesus, God the Son, would save the whole world through the eternal blood of the covenant that He shed on the cross so that whosever may believe in Him may not perish but inherit eternal life (Heb. 13:20, Jn 3:16).

This the gospel in a nutshell.

 

[Yeshua1]

Did you mean God knows the end from the beggining and knows some will choose his salvation and some would not? We are being saved and have the "hope" of salvation today but no one receive salvation until they endure temptation to the end "believing and following" God's Word *JAMES 1:12?

We have eternal life right here and now, not just after we die!

 

[Yeshua1]

No, He didn't. God does not will for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2Pe. 3:9). The cross is God's message of love to the whole world.

God decreed that Jesus, God the Son, would save the whole world through the eternal blood of the covenant that He shed on the cross so that whosever may believe in Him may not perish but inherit eternal life (Heb. 13:20, Jn 3:16).

This the gospel in a nutshell.

The Gospel perhaps of those holding to full free will, but the Gospel of Paul and Jesus would have God choosing to save out of sinful humanity a faithful flock unto Himself.
if God will is that none should perish, if Jesus died for all sinners, than who gets lost in the end?

 

[3rdAngel]

We have eternal life right here and now, not just after we die!

According to God's WORD we have the "HOPE" of eternal life today as we "BELIEVE AND FOLLOW" God's Word *TITUS 1:2; TITUS 3:7.

No one "RECEIVES" eternal life until they have "ENURED TEMPTATION THE THE END" believing and following God's Word *JAMES 1:12.

If we do not "ENDURE TEMPTATION TO THE END" we can depart the faith and lose eternal life *HEBREWS 10:26-39; HEBREWS 6:4-8.

We are only right with God as we BELIEVE AND FOLLOW Gods' WORD in the "PRESENT TENSE" *JOHN 10:26-27.

God's Sheep hear God's Voice (the Word) and follow him.

 

[3rdAngel]

The Gospel perhaps of those holding to full free will, but the Gospel of Paul and Jesus would have God choosing to save out of sinful humanity a faithful flock unto Himself.
if God will is that none should perish, if Jesus died for all sinners, than who gets lost in the end?

Those who get "LOST" in the end are those who choose not to "BELIEVE AND FOLLOW" Gods' Word.

God's Sheep hear God's Voice (the Word) and follow him.

 

[Gentle-Warrior]

The Gospel perhaps of those holding to full free will, but the Gospel of Paul and Jesus would have God choosing to save out of sinful humanity a faithful flock unto Himself.
if God will is that none should perish, if Jesus died for all sinners, than who gets lost in the end?

Everyone has free will because we are made in the image of God. Adam freely chose to disobey God. People choose to sin and freely choose to obey satan.

As for your second point, there is no such thing as the gospel of Jesus and the gospel of Paul. There is only one gospel which means Good News, not bad news, and this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ also.

As for your last point, I reaffirm that Jesus died for all sinners, but not all sinners will come to Jesus. Man chooses his own destiny which is either to receive God's salvation in Jesus Christ or to reject it.

Simple enough, isn't it?

 

[mailmandan]

We have eternal life right here and now, not just after we die!

Amen! John 5:24 - Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, (present tense) and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (past tense with ongoing present results)

Also, in regards to the word "hope," this hope is not some cross your fingers I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow or I hope I get hired for the job. Unlike the english word "hope," the N.T. word contains no uncertainty; it speaks of something that is certain. - Strong's #1680 elpís (from elpō, "to anticipate, welcome") – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope. Works-salvationists do not have this "certain hope" because they expect to receive eternal life based on the merits of their performance/works. They could never know for sure if they "measured up" to whatever standards they are trying to meet.

If we have saving faith in Christ, then we have this "hope." Faith is the substance of things HOPED for.. (Hebrews 11:1). So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life (Titus 3:7). So for the believer who has eternal life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5:24) their hope is certain, even though we do not see its fulfillment just yet in regards to receiving our glorified bodies. (Romans 8:24-25) In that sense, we are waiting for the hope of eternal life. Works-salvationists typically confuse the 3 tenses in salvation. 1. Justification 2. Ongoing Sanctification 3. Glorification

Romans 8:30 - Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. *ALL of them. *Notice how Paul uses the past tense for a future event to stress it's certainty.