The Thessalonians 1 Of 14 (2 Of 2)

They wanted to figure out at way to outsmart their enemy, the cat. Many suggestions were made. Then one young mouse suggested, “Since we all agree that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. I venture propose that a small bell be procured and attached by a ribbon be placed around the neck of the cat. Then we can always hear when he is approaching and we can hide from him and easily protect ourselves.”

Everyone applauded, but then an old mouse stood, and quietly asked, “That is all very well, but who is going to place the bell around the cat’s neck?”

It is the job of the church to “hang the bell” around the necks of the false teachers and preachers. If we don’t, WHO WILL?

The one thing the devil wants to do is place his servants in leadership positions in churches around the world. Once he does this he can then control those churches and promote his evil agenda.

Illus: That was the plan the communists had to take America over without ever firing a shot. Once they controlled the key positions in society, then they could promote the evils of communism.

Never in the history of mankind has the time been more ripe for the anti-Christ than it is today. For example,

Illus: A man who ranks as one of the top television preachers in this nation was preaching in a large city auditorium. He read a couple of verses, took them out of context, and then spent the rest of the time talking about himself.

He spent almost the whole time talking about how great he was. He gave the impression that day after day, wherever he goes, supernatural miracles follow him.

That is, he gave the impression that it is a common thing each to see the crippled walk, the blind be made to see, the deaf to hear, cavities be filled, legs grow, etc. He just went from one miracle story to the next.

GUESS WHAT? If you did not hear enough about all the miracles he has been used of God in performing, tune in next week and he will tell you about some more that are just as exciting!

The only problem is that they are LYING WONDERS!

Any time now the RAPTURE of the church may take place and THE DAY OF THE LORD will begin. Evil forces of the anti-Christ spirit are being restrained today by the church of which God says that “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18) We have already seen that when false teachers taught the rapture had taken place during Paul’s day, PAUL VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED THEM.

How did Paul do this? As we have heard in the earlier message, he ENLIGHTENED them. But, notice, there is more in our text. We see...

II. HIS EXAMPLE

That is, THE EXAMPLE of the anti-Christ during the DAY OF THE LORD.

Look at verses 9-12, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Paul gave them a word picture of AN EXAMPLE of what it will be like, once the DAY OF THE LORD is here, when the anti-Christ is in control. What he showed them is something no person would relish living in.

For example, look at verse 9. We read, “...WHOSE COMING IS AFTER THE WORKING OF SATAN with all power and signs and lying wonders...”

• When Christ came to earth, He came in the power of His heavenly Father.

• When the anti-Christ comes he will come in the power of Satan.

How is that?

Look at verse 9, “...AFTER THE WORKING OF SATAN with all power and signs and lying wonders...”

Never underestimate the power of Satan. He comes in all power, signs and lying wonders!

This is the age of “lying wonders.”

Illus: We do not know what happens in other churches because we are in our church when they are having their services, but during the week we hear television preachers get up and tell of all kinds of miracles without a single thread of DOCUMENTATION and multitudes who listen believe what he says.

When Christ was here, He went about performing all kinds of miracles, but all He performed could be documented.

Illus: If you will notice, when Christ healed we are often told that the one healed had been...