The Bible warns that in the end times, God will send a powerful delusion on those who refused to believe the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). This delusion will cause them to believe what is false. But why would God do this?
To understand why God sends this delusion, we first need to look at the context. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul is writing to comfort believers who were disturbed by false teaching that the day of the Lord had already come (2 Thess 2:1-2). Paul assures them that two things must happen first – the rebellion and the revelation of the man of lawlessness (2 Thess 2:3). This man is also called the antichrist. The antichrist will exalt himself above God and even take his seat in the temple (2 Thess 2:4). But Paul says the antichrist cannot be revealed until the restraint is taken out of the way (2 Thess 2:6-7). Most Bible scholars believe this restraint is the Holy Spirit working through the Church.
So the order of events is:
- The rebellion against God’s ways and truth
- The Holy Spirit’s restraint is removed as the church is raptured
- The antichrist is revealed
- The antichrist sets himself up as God and deceives many
It is at this point that God sends the delusion. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 says:
and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There are a few key reasons God sends this delusion:
1. They rejected the truth
An important factor is that these people already rejected the truth (2 Thess 2:10). They heard and understood the gospel but refused to accept it. God was patient, giving them opportunities to repent (2 Peter 3:9). But they stubbornly resisted, spurning the calling of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, the time ran out for them to be saved. In essence, God finally confirmed the choice they already made against Him.
2. They delight in wickedness
In addition to rejecting the truth, these people took pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:12). Though they knew God’s righteous standards, they happily indulged in sin. Not only did they sin, but they encouraged others to do so, misleading many. They had no fear of God. When the complete hardening of the heart happens, it demonstrates that a person is irredeemably wicked.
3. To seal their fate
The delusion ensures these evildoers will believe Satan’s lies through the antichrist. Since they already rejected truth and salvation, the deception guarantees their condemnation (2 Thess 2:12). By clinging to the delusion, their rebellion against God is complete. All chance for repentance is gone. Their fate is sealed in hardness of heart and idolatrous worship of the enemy.
God is judicious in sending this delusion. He does not desire anyone to perish (Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9). But at the end of time, the dividing line becomes clear between followers of Christ and followers of antichrist. Those who refuse salvation receive deception as their lot.
4. To sift the true believers
This mass delusion also serves to purify the church before Jesus’ return. True believers need to be distinguished from those pretending to be Christians. The pressure of massive deception forces each individual to choose definitively who they will believe in.
The delusion will be strong and convincing, even fooling the elite if possible (Matthew 24:24). But God’s elect cannot be fooled. He protects their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:5). They will stand firm in the truth against overwhelming opposition.
5. God turns people over to their sins
As a form of judgment, God may give people over to experience the full consequences of the path they’ve chosen. When someone consistently rejects God and embraces sin, Romans 1:24-25 says God may “give them over” by withdrawing His restraining grace and turning them over to their sins.
The strong delusion can be seen as God allowing people to experience the folly of their choice to reject Him. By believing lies, they demonstrate they do not have a love for the truth. Essentially, God hands people over to be controlled by the sinful desires of their hearts.
How the delusion works
This powerful delusion will likely have both supernatural and natural elements:
- Supernatural: The occult, miracles, signs and wonders performed by the antichrist and False Prophet may deceive people (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:13-14). Demonic forces are behind the false miracles. As part of the delusion, God allows “power, signs, and lying wonders” from Satan to reach maximum effectiveness.
- Natural: The natural component relates to the human factors lying within people’s own hearts. Those who reject the truth do so because of pride, a love for sin, desires to justify their lifestyle, willful ignorance, bitterness, lack of love for God, and the hardness of their unrepentant hearts (Romans 1:21-32, 2 Thessalonians 2:10). The delusion simply confirms the direction of their already rebellious hearts.
An important aspect is that people choose to believe the lies. In their rebellious state, the delusion feeds and confirms their desires to follow sin and darkness rather than God. After repeatedly rejecting God’s truth, their hearts become veiled and hardened to where they are incapable of discerning light from darkness.
Foreshadows of the end times delusion
The Old Testament contains a few incidents that foreshadow this end times deception:
- Pharaoh at the Exodus – God sent numerous plagues on Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. But Pharaoh’s heart became harder with each plague. God provided multiple opportunities for Pharaoh to relent. However, Pharaoh continued to reject God’s commands. As a judgment, God finally hardened Pharaoh’s heart, bringing the plagues to completion (Exodus 4:21).
- King Ahab’s prophets – The prophet Micaiah warned wicked King Ahab that he would be killed in battle if he attacked the Arameans. But Ahab preferred to listen to 400 false prophets who said he would be victorious. At God’s initiative, these prophets gave Ahab false assurances, leading him to his demise (1 Kings 22:1-40).
- The lying spirit – God permitted a lying spirit to deceive King Ahab’s prophets, who then deceived Ahab (1 Kings 22:19-23). Though God does not lie (Titus 1:2), He allowed this deception as part of His judgment.
Each of these incidents provides a glimpse into how God could send delusion in the end times as part of His righteous judgment.
Examples of those susceptible to the delusion
Scripture provides various characteristics of people who will be vulnerable to this end times deception:
- Unbelievers – Those who reject Jesus Christ and the gospel. They refuse salvation through His name (John 3:18-19; Acts 4:12).
- Hatred of the truth – Those who take pleasure in wickedness and do not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12).
- Delight in sin – Scoffers who follow their own lusts and mock the promise of Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:3-4).
- Hypocrites – Those whose hearts and actions do not match their religious profession (Matthew 7:21-23).
- Worldly-minded – People focused on the temporal more than the eternal (1 Timothy 6:9; James 4:4).
- Compromisers – Those trying to serve both God and money/materialism (Matthew 6:24).
- Blinders/hardened hearts – Those impervious to God’s truth and the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 12:40, Romans 11:7-8).
Tragically, the effects of the delusion may impact people who thought they were safe in their religion but were actually unsaved on the inside. This underscores the need to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5).
7) How to avoid the end times delusion
To avoid falling prey to this deception, we must:
- Believe in Christ – Have faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and only way of salvation (John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 16:31).
- Love God and Truth – Love God with all our hearts and cherish His truth in Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:5; Psalm 119:47-48, 140).
- Abide in Christ/His Word – Remain in close relationship with Jesus Christ and continuously in His Word (John 8:31, 15:5-7; Colossians 3:16).
- Watch and Pray – Be alert, sober-minded and steadfast in prayer as the end draws near (Matthew 26:41; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 4:7).
- Full Armor of God – Put on the full armor of God each day to protect our minds from deception (Ephesians 6:10-18).
- Test Spirits – Carefully test all spirits and prophecies against Scripture (1 John 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Reject lawlessness – Have nothing to do with sin or lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Titus 2:11-14).
If we faithfully follow Jesus Christ and rely on Him for wisdom, we need not fear deception. Ultimately, we can trust God to guard those who belong to Him.
8) The delusion and God’s righteousness
While God sending “a powerful delusion” may seem uncharacteristic, it actually aligns with His righteousness.
The delusion comes after people repeatedly spurn God’s mercy and grace. At a certain point, God removes His restraining hand after prolonged resistance to His Spirit. He confirms them in the path they have stubbornly chosen against Him.
Though God does not take pleasure in judgment (Ezekiel 18:23), He cannot force people to love and obey Him. Those who reject Christ receive condemnation because they refuse salvation (John 3:17-21).
The prophet Isaiah provides insight into God’s mindset after prolonged rebellion:
“I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by my name. I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices” (Isaiah 65:1-2).
Despite God’s incredible patience, grace, and longing to save, those who defiantly reject Him eventually pass the point of return. At the culmination of the age, God cements that decision. The strong delusion ensures their rebellion comes to full fruition.
Though distressing, the delusion reflects God’s justice against resolute defiance. Only those who insistently spurn His mercy need fear this fate. God’s grace remains open to all who will receive it.
Final Thoughts
While sobering, God’s Word equips us to recognize and resist end times deception. As believers, we must watch and pray, test the spirits, abide in Christ, and walk close with God. Then we can trust Him to keep us safely in His care when the strong delusion comes. God knows how to rescue the godly from trials and will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 2:9; Philippians 4:7).
Rather than dread, we can have hope and peace knowing God oversees the evil one’s schemes. The delusion will only succeed as far as God permits. In the end, Satan’s lies will be exposed and God’s purposes fulfilled. Let us therefore remain vigilant and faithful to Christ as the Day draws near.
