#246 Bridgefest 2016 – 2 Thess. 2:11

Program #246 “Bridgefest 2016 – 2 Thessalonians 2:11” – 7/17/2016 – Synopsis

Program #246 is a studio version of the address I gave at The Bridge FM’s event in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It is was a follow-up of last year’s message where I explained Paul’s warning to the churches that a worldwide apostasy will occur before the return of Jesus Christ. This apostasy is not limited to the religion, but the word “apostasy” means a rebellion. This prophecy might explain the unprecedented abandonment of Christian values by governments and world leaders in our day.

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul begins by teaching (1) the fact of the coming world apostasy, (2) the cause for the world apostasy being the removal of God’s restraint, and (3) the reason why God is allowing the apostasy. God lets His people discover the purpose for the apostasy lest we despair. The removal of God’s restraint and subsequent apostasy is not to judge the believer, but to judge the world – “that they might be judged” (2 Thessalonians 2:12). But how can this be? It looks like evil is being empowered and the church is being overcome. Revelation 13:7 teaches, “It was given to him [the anti-christ] to make war with the saints and to overcome them.

What is about to happen in the world is going to look counterintuitive. For a while, outwardly it will look like the sinful world is winning, and Jesus Christ and His people are defeated; but God is simply exposing evil before He judges evil. In the days to come, believe what the Scriptures say rather than what the circumstances appear to be telling you. That is what it means to live by faith.

Scriptures Referenced: 2 Thessalonians 2; Luke 22:53; Revelation 12:12; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:7; Romans 3:4; 1 John 2:17; Jeremiah 2:17-19; Isaiah 3:9; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 17:17