THURSDAY, MARCH 23
2 Thessalonians 2:5-12
Revelation 19:20

"… These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire
burning with brimstone."

THE WICKED’S REVELATION AND DESTRUCTION

Paul posed a question to the Thessalonians as to whether they had already forgotten what he taught them when he was ministering to them. Evidently, he had already described those events. He reminded them of how he had explained the restraint that prevented the revelation of the Wicked one. The working of the mystery of lawlessness was under divine restraint even during the days of the Apostles (2 Thess 2:7). It has been extending throughout the Church Age, but there will come a time when there will be the removal of that restraint of the mystery of lawlessness (2 Thess 2:6-7), then the wicked shall be revealed.

When this revelation happens, the Lord shall consume the wicked with the Spirit of His mouth. It has the idea of taking away for destruction. This destruction is described: "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev 19:20).

This particular Satanically-inspired person will be revealed. He will identify himself as the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour, and deceive many (Matt 24:4-5). This will lead to the great world apostasy. But, apostasy begets judgment. God gives up to uncleanness, to vile affections, and to a reprobate mind those professing believers who stubbornly and repeatedly choose to reject God’s truth (Rom 1:24-28). This is God’s judicial hardening, blinding or a God-sent delusion upon them (2 Thess 2:11-12). If apostates desire to believe in Satan’s lie, and be deceived, God allows them thus to be. The end result will be condemnation (2 Thess 2:12). Those who have not truly received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will apostatize and be condemned. Have you?

THOUGHT: Is my life free from the wicked’s work?
PRAYER: "To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (Ps 102:21-22).