2 Thessalonians 13-17 | How Can We Avoid the Great Lie?

The Great Lie to Come

9 The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10 and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

Avoiding the Lie

13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning[f] God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

How can we avoid being caught up in The Lie?

1. Claim your in Christ (Know who you are) v. 13
   1. You are loved by the Lord.
   2. You were chosen for salvation from the beginning of time.
   3. You have been sanctified (made holy) by God’s Spirit and the Truth.
      1. “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before Him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of his glorious grace that He lavished on us in the Beloved One.” (Ephesians 1:4-6)
2. Make the true Gospel in your life (Know what you believe) vs. 14-15
   1. You were called to salvation by this true Gospel.
   2. This true Gospel gave you the same glory Jesus has today and forever.
   3. Strand firm on the true Gospel taught by His evangelists and His Word.
      1. “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
3. Ask for God’s grace to you (Know where you find your strength) v. 17
   1. Help you remember what His love has done so far
   2. Help you keep your eyes on eternity
   3. Help you stay encouraged in your heart
   4. Help you remain strong in your service and witness
      1. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

Actions Steps to Avoid the Great Lie:

1. Learn the list of your promised in Christ.
2. Study the Word (read through it in a year).
3. Live the Life.