2nd Thessalonians 2:3 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 opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped" ....... 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 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.
This passage of scripture warns the inhabitants of earth that a global religion will take center-stage as this world's history draws to a close. The passage specifically states that a man will be at the head of this universal religion, that will put in place laws and systems that are entirely contrary to the commandments and revealed will of God, and that will confirm the sin-loving multitudes in a wrong course of action, which will then open the flood-gates of woe upon the earth. The doctrines of devils which are currently perpetuated by "the man of sin" include the teaching of all-inclusiveness, where the ungodly and those who hate Christ and His righteousness are incorporated into the church under the garb of evangelism and Christianity, without there being any substantive change in their lifestyles, concepts, thoughts, and actions, changes which according to the bible are indispensable to the new life which God offers through Jesus. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil, meaning that as more light is shed on our pathway, we are required to walk in its advancing glory, allowing our old natures to be broken up and replaced by the pure and perfect righteousness of Christ. But the "man of sin" offers a completely different approach than that which has been ordained and certified by Christ, in that he incorporates all of the smooth doctrines which appeal to itching ears, and all of the vices and sins that are cherished by the multitudes, so that those who subscribe to his universal form of religion, become Christians in name only, with absolutely no change of heart.
This is not what Christ intended when the gospel commission was given, for although God desires that all men come to a knowledge of the truth, He also requires that we submit ourselves to be changed by His grace, because Christ takes us as we are but He never leaves us in our previous sinful condition. The message of repentance and change for the better through Christ is the message that has always been given by all the prophets of God in ages past, and was confirmed and reiterated by John the Baptist. Let's read:
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar" ...... "the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him" ..... 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" ....... 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
This pointed and serious message from John did not palliate the sinner in his sin, nor did it lull the hearers into a false sense of security by promising them life eternal on their own sinful terms. Instead he demanded that all would-be candidates for heaven step up to the plate by allowing the work of repentance and change to begin without delay, in order that they might serve God with a clear conscience, void of offense toward God and toward their fellow man. That's why when they were pricked in their consciences by John's warnings and admonitions, they asked the all-important question so essential to the salvation of every soul. Let's read:
Luke 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
The man of sin on the other hand has endeavored to change the scriptural terms and conditions that are necessary for one to obtain eternal life, by making it as easy as possible for anyone to call themselves a Christian, without any change whatsoever to their lifestyles. And that's the reason why we now have those in sacred office that are living "Alternative lifestyles" with the approval of the man of sin, and bandits, and drug-lords, and trans-genders, and politicians, and voo-doo priests, and pedophile clergymen who are committing the worst types of crime against God and little children, are all included and given a welcome seat in this universal religion that the bible warns us of.
But The God of heaven will not permit it to last forever, but instead is going to visit the earth with very severe and unusual judgments, that will bring the man of sin and all his subscribers to their knees, because the passage in Thessalonians does not stop where we left off, but rather continues to where the retributive justice of God is implemented without mercy. Let's read:
2nd 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: 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.
It therefore behooves every honest- hearted Christian and person to make an intelligent and wise choice to serve God instead of the man of sin, for the times here spoken of are right upon us, and we will only be sheltered by God's grace if we are found in Christ, walking in obedience to all of God's commandments, including the fourth. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us of what it means to be a true Christian, because the lines of distinction have become extremely blurred in recent years. Let's read:
1st John 2:My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
May the study of these pertinent truths resonate in our consciences day by day , and cause permanent change to spring up in our lives. God bless!