2 Thessalonians 2 is a favorite chapter when it comes to understanding the time and season in which we live. In recent studies of that chapter, I’ve come to a deeper understanding of the deception Scripture says will mark the last days. But I’ve also noticed something about timing.

Verse 3 tells us clearly not to be deceived. The people of Thessaloniki had been duped into believing they had missed the second coming of Jesus, but the apostle Paul is encouraging them not to be deceived.

Satan, the master deceiver (John 8:44), is waiting in the wings, but the Antichrist will soon do his bidding, and 2 Thessalonians 2 is all about the rise of that lawless one known as the Antichrist.

So, Paul’s exhortation in 2 Thessalonians 2 is appropriate for us today, as we see the mystery of lawlessness already at work (verse 7). Recently, we have pointed out some of the lawlessness and deception in our world, and I’m sure you can think of plenty besides that. (If nothing else, think of the deception that is happening in governments around the world, not the least of which are the American and Israeli governments. Both are chock full of lies, deceit and corruption!)

Deception is everywhere, but what comes next? Keep reading in 2 Thessalonians 2:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Read carefully. We’re living in “unrighteous deception,” would you agree? Verse 10 goes on to describe why: because those living in the last days do not receive the love of the truth. Our last days generation is turning from the Word of God.

So, what happens in verse 11?

Indeed, delusion follows deception! What is delusion?

Delusion: a false belief or judgment about external reality, held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.

A time will come, dear friends, when God will send a strong delusion. Yes, the full brunt of this takes place after the rapture, when the Antichrist is unleashed to deceive and delude people in very nefarious ways. However, I would argue that we are seeing coming attractions of nefarious delusion breaking forth already.

Reports of unidentified objects in the atmosphere and in the waters of the deep, moving at speeds unattainable by human means, and maneuvering in ways we have never seen, are now commonplace. I don’t believe in little green men, but I believe my Bible when it says:

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Ephesians 6:12)

Demonic principalities, powers and rulers of darkness are scheming wickedness in the heavenly places, and we are seeing more and more evidence of it.

If this sounds farfetched to you, I encourage you to hear this message that provides some Biblical basis.

Finally, remember: Bible prophecy is not meant to scare, but to prepare. As believers in Jesus Christ, we know our eternal destiny is not of this world, but in heaven, where our Lord Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! And because He ascended back to heaven to make those preparations, He promises to come redeem us from this world before the wrath of the tribulation. (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9)

If you don’t know Jesus personally, the wrath of the tribulation and hell await you. Heaven and hell are real, and we so desire that you will join us in heaven. Nothing you have done is “too bad” for salvation, and nothing you have done is “good enough” to save yourself. Only Jesus saves. Please trust Him today.