"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."
But that makes no sense. God specifically speaks of two human ministries which will proclaim the Gospel during the Tribulation. In Revelation 7:4-17, John writes of 144,000 sealed witnesses; twelve thousand from each of the twelve Tribes of Israel. Later, in Revelation 14:1-5, the 144,000 are mentioned as having been martyred during the Tribulation, perhaps just as the Lord's witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. There, John tells us of two witnesses who are killed for preaching the Gospel, but that God resurrects them, and they ascend into heaven (further witness that their testimony is true)!
God's proclamation of the Gospel during the Tribulation is not limited to human beings; He has an angel whose mission is to warn the world. John wrote:
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Rev. 14:6-7).
Again, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 describe individuals who reject the Gospel during the Tribulation. They are not talking about people who reject the truth before the Rapture. These are people who willfully decide to follow the devil's man (see the context of 2 Th. 2:3-9). These are people who reject the truth and receive the LIE that the man of sin is to be honored as God, and worshiped. These are those who deliberately choose to take the mark of the beast and worship this evil man. According to Revelation 14:9-11, those who take the mark cannot be saved. Their destiny is Hell. Thus, during the Tribulation, those who willfully identify with the devil's man are doomed (2 Th. 2:12). In that day the issue will be very clear: worship God (Rev. 14:6-7) or worship the devil's man (Rev. 14:9-11). One's choice will determine one's eternal destiny.
If a person refuses to believe on Christ prior to the Rapture, there is still hope that he will trust Christ after the Rapture. However, it is always dangerous to reject the truth, no matter when you live. The time to be saved is today, not tomorrow. The time to believe is now.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!"
No comments:
Post a Comment