As I prepare for my sermon this mourning on the Beatitudes of Christ: 1. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, 2. Blessed are those who mourn (a. of the fallen world, b. our depravity and c. injustice towards others), 3. Blessed are the meek... The following thought has come to mind, related to mourning," associated with our own personal depravity...
I think a primary deception associated with "the man of lawlessness," (i.e. the anti-Christ), is that he will be known and distinguished throughout the world, as a man of infinite "grace..." Especially in the beginning... what greater reason for global subjugation, on behalf of the world, then when the faithful reject his "grace?"
In essence, for the individual, if it's always "grace," only "grace" and infinite "grace," then it's really only a grand deception known otherwise as "tolerance," "lawlessness" and "destruction." (ESV)
Exclusive "grace" leaves no room, nor need for Holy Spirit inspired conviction, guilt and repentance...
No one really seems to mourn over their sinful nature or sinful acts anymore...
Note:
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,
2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching a-l-l-e--g-e-d-l-y -from-us-whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter--asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.
3 Let no one d-e-c-i-e-v-e you-in-any-way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 He will oppose and will-exalt-himself-over-everything-that-is-called-God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
2 Thess 2:1-4
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