(Cont from Page 24/8/90).
 

THOSE "UNDER A DELUSION" WHO MAKE
"SINFULNESS THEIR DELIBERATE CHOICE".

To further investigate those whose activities constitute the "final rebellion against God", and who are being brought to the Judgement described in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we need to know who this multitude are that came to know the Will of God, that were baptized in that knowledge, but then apostatized and refused to obey the last Spirit corrective instructions of the "good news" from our Lord through his anointed brothers. (1:8). Deluded by all the "powerful signs and miracles of the Lie" they* became part of the "final rebellion against God" that removed the "restraint" against their rebellion. (2:3 NEB). But in excommunicating anointed sons of God they* removed the "constant feature" Holy Spirit, and so can no longer offer up spirit sacrifices through these anointed "temple" sons. (Dan 8:13,14.  Rev 11:1-3). "Therefore God puts them* under a delusion  ("lets an operation of error go to them". NWT), which works upon them to believe the lie, so that they may all be brought to Judgement, all who do not believe the truth but make sinfulness their deliberate choice."  (2:11,12 NEB).

DELIBERATE:

Well weighed or considered;  carefully thought out;
done of set purpose;  studied;  not hasty or rash.

This deliberate sinfulness requires further investigation so that it may be eliminated from sins common to mankind. For centuries, sectarian religions worldwide have been sinning against God, so what is so mysterious about this "final rebellion"?  Well, to fabricate "powerful signs and miracles of the Lie" required the collusion and power of satan. (2:9 NEB). That power was obtained by sinning against Holy Spirit. Only then did God reject them and allow satan's "operation of error" to go to them "that they may get to believing the lie" to such an extent as to actually preach this "operation of error" worldwide! (2:11). It took considerable time and deception to achieve.  This  was  the design of satan: To deceive lukewarm Christians within Christ's congregations to apostatize and become satan's own servants, offering them glory and empowering them to actually sin against the Holy Spirit of God!  (Dan 11:39).  Ever since the Apostle Paul's warning centuries ago, satan has worked towards this end, concealing his real intention in those he deceived.

The New World Translation says: "So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness." (2:11,12). The Revised Standard Version reads: "…so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2:12). The Moffatt Translation reads: "…so that all may be doomed who refuse faith in the Truth but delight in evil."  (2:12).

The "final rebellion against God" are the unsealed JW 'elders' and followers of the sect falsely calling themselves Jehovah's Witnesses. These are men and women who came to know the Will of God, who offered up baptismal vows to serve Him, but who deliberately withdrew their allegiance to God. While falsely believing they were serving Him, they put their faith in apostate teachings because it gave them power and glory over others. Then, seeing they did not have a "love of the truth", God allowed satan's "operation of error" to go to them, keeping them under a constant state of delusion. They resented anointed sons of God who were "acting as a restraint" to their sinfulness, because they were exposing the apostasy. (2:6-12). Nor would they accept Spirit discipline from anointed ones     it only inflamed them. But soon the apostates will depart into everlasting cutting off.  (Matt 25:45,46).

26/8/90.
 

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