LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU

2 Thess 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God. sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

In the opening verses of this chapter, Paul soothes the minds of the Christians of Thessalonica by telling them not to be troubled regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ...our gathering together unto Him. The day, and the time, final Judgment will come, no one knows. As he, himself, had taught them by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, the apostle Paul told them that you know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2).

Because God's inspired word is perfectly clear on this matter, Paul warns them to let no man deceive you by any means. Some "means" that were, and still are, used by deceitful preachers and teachers, are these: some falsely claim that the additional, or the correct, doctrine they proclaim was given to them directly by the Holy Spirit of God; some claim that they have personally received a special, god-given ability to interpret God's word in a manner that has not been made available to others; some claim to have access to lost teachings of apostles and other chosen men of God, that are not included in Holy Scriptures. These false "means" are only a few of many.

Regardless of their methods or motives for doing so, Paul admonishes all Christians to beware of those that steal souls from God's fold. Let no man deceive you by any means,by telling you that they have, by personal revelation from God, been given special spiritual knowledge of when Jesus will come again to gather His own into eternal rest. It is often the indecisive, confused, and troubled mind that is more apt to be deceived. Paul tells us that we are not to be distressed in mind or troubled. Rather we are not to allow our faith to be weakened through the false teaching of deceiving men and women of the world. We are to let our minds rest in peace with the assurance that, no person on earth, had before, has now, or will ever be given the knowledge of when Judgment Day will take place.

Paul continues with this additional knowledge of Judgment Day: that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Although the day Jesus will return to claim His faithful followers is still unknown, this we know: before Judgment Day, Paul says that there will be a falling away from believing God's will, as it is found in His inspired word. It is in the New Testament, that God has revealed His plan for eternal salvation, and He has made it available to all people of the world, through the church founded by His Son, Jesus Christ. This has already taken place. A falling away from God's teaching through the church of Christ - an apostasy of the body of Christ, has already taken place throughout the world.

The reason for the falling away, Paul tells us, is that man of sin, ...the son of perdition. There has been much speculation about who this person is, or was, that caused the apostasy of the church of Christ. Who brought about the falling away; who was responsible for the church, that was founded on the Day of Pentecost by the apostles of Christ, departing from the faith on which it was originally founded? I prefer to let biblical philosophers argue over this matter. Rather than enter into this controversy, it is sufficient to say that throughout the world today, there exists numerous religious "churches," or organizations that have very little resemblance to each other, and certainly do not support, and hold forth the doctrine of the church founded by Jesus' apostles, on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded by Luke in Acts 2. The word "perdition" means destruction and ruination. Anyone that destroys and ruins the body of Christ by adding to, omitting, or altering the original doctrine of the church of Christ, can be considered a man of sin, a son of perdition - one that opposes Jesus Christ, and leads others to do the same.

Jesus tells us why it is so easy for false teachers to lead others astray, and cause this falling away from the strait and narrow way of His church. He tells us that wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (apostasy), and many there be which go in thereat (Matt. 7:13). Paul's admonition to the church of Christ at Philippi was to oppose adversaries, or false preachers and teachers of perdition,that threaten to destroy their church, the body of Christ. He pleaded with them to look forward to the salvation ...of God, and to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (See Phil. 1:27-28).

Paul also tells us that covetousness is one of the main reasons false preachers and teachers oppose, destroy, and ruin the church of Christ. He says, Butthey that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Paul then warns all faithful Christians to flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (See 1 Tim. 6:9-11).

The best description of one that destroys and ruins the church of Christ is found in the second verse of the lesson text. Paul describes the son of perdition as anyone who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Again, much has been written by bible scholars that say this was the perfect description of the ancient papacy of the "Catholic Church." I do not argue with their conclusion, however, I think it has a much broader application than to one false religion. Any man or woman that adds to, or omits from, God's holy word, does, by self-exaltation, replaces God's will with their own, and holds themselves above God. And those that follow their erring teaching, effectively are worshiping a false teacher instead of the God of heaven and earth, and the Author of eternal salvation. Many false "religions" fit this description.

Let no man deceive you by any means! Paul told the Christians of Rome, and tells each of us today, that we must mark them, which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine (of God and His Son, Jesus Christ),which ye have learned (from Paul's inspired teaching); and avoid them (Rom. 16:17). In like manner, Paul gave this warning to the church of Christ at Ephesus: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them (Eph. 5:6-7). It has been by the deceptive teaching of men and women of the world, that God's word has been altered and changed innumerable times. And the one church of Christ that had it's beginning on the Day of Pentecost, in the year A.D. 33, has been divided until it cannot be recognized as belonging to Jesus Christ. To the few faithful Christians belong to the church of Christ, that find their doctrine in God's word, and practice it in their worship services, and in their daily lives, Paul gives you exhortation:Let no man deceive you!