While reading my Bible in a year plan, I came across a verse I know I’ve heard many times before, but I guess I never thought much about it. The verse is 2 Thessalonians 2:11 and it reads, “For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” If you read a few verses before, the “lie” is referring to Satan deceiving people into turning away from God in order for them to be condemned.
After reading the verse, I thought why would God say He wants all to come to him (2 Peter 3:9) but then intentionally send a powerful delusion over people so they will reject Him. The New Living Translation version of this verse reads a little differently but in an equally dramatic way and it says, “So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies”.
Why does God want them to believe a lie and be “greatly deceived”?
As I was thinking more about the verse, I remembered the story in Exodus where God sends Moses to Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to let the Israelites be free from their years of slavery. It tells us God sent many plagues to convince Pharaoh to let them go but he would not. After each plague was released, it goes on to say that Pharaoh hardened his heart and there are verses that say God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
And yet another verse which I feel is connected. In Revelation 9, we read about the last days where death and destruction occur during the judgement. It says the people worshipped idols, continued in their sin and even longed to die because it was so horrible, but they still did not repent.
It’s hard to believe the Egyptians and those living in the last days would not turn to God given their circumstances but after reading the previously mentioned scriptures, it makes sense as to why they did not. They rejected God so many times that it appeared to be too late. Not too late for God but too late for their heart to seek repentance. These verses tell me we can reject God so many times that he will allow us to get to a point where we will no longer understand why we need him, even in the midst of unbelievably difficult times.
I believe those passages are a warning for us not to ignore the Holy Spirit when He is trying to get our attention. It is our choice after all but if we reject Him, there will be a point where it is too late. “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
