And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, so they will believe the lie,
Truth to Learn
Hardening one’s heart toward God is never a good idea.
Behind the Words
The expression “for this reason” is translated from the Greek words dia touto, which literally mean “through this.”
“Will send” is from pempō, meaning “to dispatch” or “to send.” It is expressed here in the present tense, indicating current action. However, this may be seen as a “prophetic present tense” in which the action is spoken of as current with regard to the future events (when the antichrist is revealed). For this reason, most translations express this as a future tense.
Energeia is the word translated “strong.” It is composed of en, meaning “in” and ergon, meaning “work.” Thus, energeia refers literally to something that is engaged in work. In other words it means “working” or “energizing.”
“Delusion” is from planē, which means “a wandering out of the right way” or “a straying from what is right.” Objectively, it refers to that which is a fraud, a deception, or a delusion.
The word translated “lie” is pseudos, of which we saw another form in verse nine. It refers to something that is not truthful. Some translations say “a lie” but the definite article is included in the text, so the proper translation is “the lie.”
Meaning Explained
Because this verse starts off with “for this reason,” we have to determine what it is referring to. It is a reference to “…because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” It is because the earth dwellers, living at the time when the lawless one is revealed, refuse to believe God’s truth that God will send them an “energized deception.”
This immediately brings to mind what happened to the Pharaoh of Egypt when Moses delivered God’s demand that he let the children of Israel leave Egypt. Reading Exodus chapters seven through ten we see a progression of “Pharaoh’s heart grew hard” (Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:9, 32) to Pharaoh hardened his heart,” (Exodus 8:15; 9:12, 34, 35) to the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27). Initially it was Pharaoh’s own sinful nature that caused his heart to become hardened against God. Then Pharaoh consciously hardened his own heart against God. Finally, in an act of judgment against him, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
Even today, many people have a hardened heart toward God and the gospel message. In the last days the earth dwellers will have consciously hardened their own hearts against God, “refusing to receive the love of the truth.” Finally, God will send such energized deception on the part of the antichrist that they will not be able to believe the truth but will believe the lie conveyed to them. Paul vividly describes this progression in his letter to the Christians in Rome (Romans 1:18-32).
So what is this lie? Perhaps it began with Satan’s message to Eve, “and you will be like God.” In today’s secular humanism it is believed that we are our own god. In the final days, there will be one who deceptively “proves” himself to be God.
Application
Refusing to listen to God’s truth can have terrible consequences. Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean it can't happen to you. Remember what happened to Jonah?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved