2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 has Paul addressing a deceptive letter written to the Thessalonians. Apparently the writer, pretending to be Paul, said that Jesus Christ had already returned. Paul says this is not the case, and he goes on to reassure them as he describes what must take place before Christ will return.

Our focus will be on the last four verses. In verse 9 Paul says that the "lawless one" will come. We do not know who the lawless one will be, but we do know that he will come with "all power and false signs and wonders."

So my question to you is, if you were to see this power and the signs and wonders, how would you know they were false? I mean, you have to think that kind of a display would be pretty compelling, right? All power, performing signs and wonders—how would you know it wasn't Jesus himself returning?

Well look at verses 10-12. The ones who will perish are those who are wickedly deceived; they refuse to the love and believe the truth (vs 12). On the day of the Lord, the difference between where we spend eternity will not be whether we recognize power, or whether we're an expert in signs and wonders. After all, Jesus himself will come in power as well, also with signs and wonders. The difference will be whether or not we know the truth.

There is something fascinating to us about power and supernatural signs. Many—even in Christian circles—are captivated by these and spend their lives trying to learn and understand them. Can I just encourage you instead to be an expert on the truth? Spend your life learning and understanding the word of God, for it is the source of all truth.