Thus Saith God's Word
by Rev. Ted Brooks
Let no man deceive vou b> an\ means; for that da> shall not come except
there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition, 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 show ing himself that
he is God; for the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth
will let until he be taken out of the way. That ye not soon be 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. (II Thessalonians 2:2)
For many years now the gospel of salvation has been preached in all ages,
but this message is a part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the
jastdays. Brother Paul declared law lessness doth already work, the hour of
judgment has come when you see a Spirit who opposed' and exalts himself
above all that is called God. (Verse 4)
We are told not to be shaken in mind or to be troubled, neither of spirit nor
by word, nor of letters.
Here the apostle Paul warned the church not to look for the coming of Christ
in his day. "Yet that day shall not come- he says, except there come a falling
away first, and that man of sin be revealed." (Verse 3)
Not till after the great apostasy and the long period of the reign of the man
of sin. The Apostle Paul declares the coming ofChrist will not take place before
the man of sin, which is also styled "the mystery of iniquity, the son of perdition
and that wicked one."
Paul tells us that this man would oppress and exalt himself above all that is
called God. (Verse 4) The Apostle Paul warned us not to be shaken in mind or
to be troubled by spirit nor by words, nor by letter, let no man deceive you by
any means. Til that day there is a promise of life to the obedient, it declares that
death is the portion of the transgressor. The Gospel of Christ alone can free him
from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. When Satan came to Jesus in
the wilderness, Satan opposes and exalts himself over God. "All these things
will I give thee ifthou wilt fall down and worship me." (Matthew 4:9) Ah. my
friend, we are not to be shaken in mind or spirit.
Satan's way of opposing and exalting himself above all that is called God is
to convince the people of God that we ar&free to transgress God's law. Do we
now make void the law through faith? God forbid. Yea, we establish the law.
How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein. John declares this
is the love of God that we keep His commandments and His commandments
are not grievous. (Romans 3:31; 6-2.1 John 5:3)
In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God as it is brought
intoaccord with his law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner,
he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression
and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has
ended. The new life of reconciliation of faith and love has begun. Then the
righteousness of the law will be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but
after the spirit. (Romans 8:4) And the language of the world will be': "O how '
love I thy law! It is my meditation all day. (Psalm 119:97) The law of the Lord
is perfect, converting the soul."( Psalm 19:7)
When Satan opposes the law of God and exalts himself above all that is
called God, men will have no just conception of the purity and holiness of God
oroftheir own guilt and uncleanness. Years ago I remember a person was killed
at a road crossing . Some one had removed the sign.
Paul said here in II Thessalonians thafwhen Satan exalts himself and sets
himself as God, shewing himself that he is God, be nor shaken in mind or spirit
that a time would come when some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (I Timothy 4:1) Paul declared even in
his day "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." "Except there come a
falling away first, and?that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
We will recognize him for Satan opposes and exalts himself above all that
is called God. The question is asked why does Satan oppose that which is
God's? Satan hates the laws of God. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
(Exodus 20:3) The true church will follow the commandments of the Torah.
We are to obey God and His laws. We were not left here to govern our own
destiny, "Love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:6)
Satan opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is
worshipped. Satan hates the law of God. Satan knows it is the love of God that
* saves men. "O how love I thy law, the law of God is perfect, converting the
soul." Without the law, men have no just conception of the purity and holiness
of God or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They have no true conviction of
sin and feel no need of repentance. When Satan opposes the lawofGod, anation
who makes him their leader cannot see their lost condition as violators of God's
| law. They do not realize their need of the atoning blood of Christ.
Have you ever noticed stop signs at intersections? They have been shot,
bottles and bricks have been thrown at them. Why? Folks just can't stand to be
told to stop. My friend, it is not the sign that causes a wreck. It is disrespect for
the law. The law does not kill, it preserves life.
When a train is approaching a crossing, thank God for that early sign which
you have seen backed up the road declaring a train crossing ahead, stop, look
and listen. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; 1 am not
come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. For verily I say unto you till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be
fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18)
My friend, heaven is still above and earth is beneath and Satan has been
pulling up signs out of the church and making ship wrecks of peoples lives.
Satan's goal has been and always will be to exalt over people's live. Satan
is well aware "the fearful and believing, and the abominable and murders and
whoremongers and sorcerers and idolators and all liars shall have their part in
the lake which burned with fire and brimstone which is the second death."
(Revelation 21:8)
When Satan is permitted to exalt over one's life Paul declares it is a great
falling away. When Satan opposes and exalts himself in these last days, Jesus
speaking through John the Apostle says, "He which testifies these things saith
surely I come quickly. Amen." This, my friend, is the last promise of the Holy
Spirit in the Bible. Here too is the last prayer which is found in the Bible: "Even
so, come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)
Can I ask this question? Do you keep his commandments? "His commandments
are not grievous. Yea, we establish the law. My heart is in full harmony
with God as it is brought into a~cord with his law. I know I have passed from
death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion, to
obedience and loyalty."
The old life of alienation from God has ended. The new life of reconciliation
of faith and love has begun.
I refuse to walk after the flesh. 1 will not covet. I refuse to take God's name
in vain. I will remember the Sabbath, not only remember but keep it holy. I will
honor my father and mother that my days be long upon this land. 1 will not kill.
I will not commit adultery. I will not steal. I will not bear false witness against
my neighbor. I will not covet what is not mine. My friend, if you can't say this,
then Satan has exalted himself over you. You will become as a person without
law, a person with no conception of the purity and holiness of God or of their
own guilt and uncleanness. When Satan rules a person they have no true
convictions of sin and feel no need of repentance. Even the pastor who breaks
the laws of God feels no wrong because he is more faithful to a creed than to
God's commandments. Paul went on to say "Let no man deceive you by any
means." (II Thessalonians 2:3)
Next week: Let No Man Deceive You
TXTT ^ zr>\
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