Scripture Spotlight

Never Take the Truth for Granted

David Scott Fields II, Senior Writer • May 21, 2020

We really are spoiled in this technological age. With only a few clicks on a keyboard, we can access almost any information we want. Even a novice Bible student has access to study resources that some ancient theologians might have willingly given their lives for. I often believe that we take the ease of access we have to the truth for granted, but it has not always been this way. In the time of Paul and the writing of 2 Thessalonians, false teachings often crept into the local church because those equipped to refute them were usually weeks away at best, and unfortunately there was no easy or fast way to reach them (Radmacher 2031). 2 Thessalonians was yet another epistle written by the Apostle Paul to encourage the church in Thessalonica to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to false teachings (Green & Longman 1423). As I read this epistle, the three teachings that had the most significant impact on me were those of the eternal condemnation of the wicked, Christ’s victory over the man of lawlessness, and the delusion that awaits all those that reject the truth.

My analysis began with 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, which reads:

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed” (NASB).

I have never met a person who particularly enjoys suffering, but there is great comfort for the persecuted believer in knowing that his sufferings for Christ will be recompensed. As Christ said in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (NASB). What is more difficult to comprehend is the eternal condemnation that will be poured out on those that reject Christ. The phrase in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 “…away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…” is particularly troubling. Even though I have never been in the actual presence of God, I cannot fathom what it would be like to be cut off from Him completely. For His enemies, even the possibilities of prayer, worship, and learning about the Lord which can now be enjoyed in this existence will be taken away forever. As I type this now, the faces of the people in my life who have rejected Christ are flashing in my mind’s eye, and I am saddened to remember a few who have already passed into a Christ-less eternity. Ultimately, I know it is only the Holy Spirit who can convict people of sin and call them to Christ. The job of every believer is to share the Gospel of Christ with courage, regardless of the possible persecution we may face. It is my prayer that I will be able to endure, and hopefully the hearts of the lost that I know will be softened, and I will get to enjoy eternity with them.

My study continued with 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10:

“Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (NASB).

One of the moments I most look forward to is when Christ will ultimately destroy the kingdom of the Antichrist and the power of Satan. It is exciting to think about the fact that whether I head to Heaven early or I get to live until the Rapture, I will be a witness to this event. Perhaps when I see this Lawless One in person I will ask myself like in Isaiah 14:16, “Is this the man who made the earth tremble?” (NASB). Compared to Christ, I can’t imagine he’ll be much worth looking at. Even so, I know that before this happens uncountable numbers of people will be deceived and will willingly choose to follow this man of sin, sealing their fates for an eternal destiny in Hell. Though many will fail to do the same, I know I love the truth, and I must continue to proclaim it until He comes.

My reflections on 2 Thessalonians concluded with a review of 2 Thessalonians 2:11, which reads:

“For this reason Godwill send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (NASB).

In my weak moments, when I find myself bested by sin yet again, I find it hard to fathom why God in His mercy has spared me from this judgement. I know that Christ has saved me and that thanks to the blood of His cross I stand as perfectly righteous in the eyes of God. All the same, I know myself and how unworthy I am of such a position. I deserve to be deluded, to be carried away by my sins, and ultimately to suffer forever in the Lake of Fire. And yet I won’t! I will see my Savior’s face and worship Him forever. It is the hope of this truth that causes me to cry out in repentance each time I fall, and because God has been excessively gracious to me, I want to never fail to share that same grace with others.

I know I am definitely guilty of taking the access I have to truth for granted. God has blessed me with multiple bookshelves overflowing with Bibles, biblical reference books, and even biblical fiction. Yet far too often days upon days will go by when I don’t avail myself of these resources. Understanding, at least a little bit, what the early church went through as they struggled in their own access to truth, makes me want to access the truth I have all the more. At the very least, it will be an encouragement to me in my day to day life in this world. However, my greatest hope and desire is to let that truth live in me to the very day “…when He comes to be glorified in His saints…and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10 NASB).