DISCIPLE

by H.A. Ironside      Turn now to 2 Thessalonians 2. As we read it carefully, let us bear in mind what has already been before us. In order to see the viewpoint both of the apostle himself and of those to whom he was writing at that particular time, it will be well to consider certain facts that may be clearly deduced from a careful study of the entire letter. It is evident that the coming of the Lord had a large place in the hearts and minds of these particular saints. Some among them had become unbalanced on the subject, and were teaching that they were already entering into the time of great tribulation. They believed that the day of the Lord was practically upon them. They were endeavoring to substantiate this teaching by the use of a forged letter purporting to come from the apostle Paul, and the advocates of this system declared that the Spirit had revealed these things to them. Therefore the saints were becoming unsettled, losing the blessedness of ...

       In Luke 4:5-6 we read these words,  " And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. "        The devil admires and administers what he has don in the kingdoms of the world. He will give it all to the man who worships him, and what a terrible day that will be, one of history's tragic defining moments.      It is true that God established human government, but sinful mankind has perverted and ruined even that. The prophet Daniel describes the world's great powers as beasts. All this world's politics and governments are little streams flowing together into one great river, which is the kingdom of the Antichrist, the Beast, the Man of Sin. Revelation 17:12-13 foretells, "...