May 18, 2019: SOAP #3453:  1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 2:3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Observation:   This lawless one will oppose anything that is called God or worshipped.  In that he will exalt himself we see the very nature of the devil, the very opposite of the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. He desires total worship.  There is no room for any other god.

With such a desire, this lawless one does not go to the capitol building in Washington D.C., nor to the Supreme Court of the USA.  He does not go to the United Nations building in New York City.  He does not go to the European Common Market headquarters.  He does not go to the courts in Geneva, Switzerland.  He does not go to the major temples of other world religions.  He sets himself up in the temple in Jerusalem.  He is confronting the God of creation!

Paul uses the descriptive phrase “the man doomed to destruction.” This man is present to fulfill God’s judgments on the earth, not to dominate God’s plan.  He plays only a small role.  His destination is sure, having already been determined.

Application:  The world is involved in a spiritual war.  People may call it an economic war, or a military war, or a political war, or a border war, or what-ever, but I have come to believe that all war is spiritual.  Spiritual forces manipulate people who open themselves to the influence of the spirit world.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me recognize the influence of the spirit world.  Help me respond positively to the Holy Spirit and to refuse the influence of spirit world influencing the world today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!