Recognizing the counterfeit

This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NLT

Once again, Paul reminded the believers how the man of lawlessness will lead people away from believing Christ. In order to lure people, the power of Satan will be manifested through this man of lawlessness. This will be done through “counterfeit power and signs and miracles.” The power will be used to gain control of those who are deceived. The counterfeit power will be an imitation of how God works in the life of believers. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). Once a person decides to surrender one’s life to Christ by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, God’s power will work through that believer’s life. Miracles and signs were used by God to establish authority over creation. The apostles were also given the opportunity to be involved in producing signs and miracles to help establish the authority given to them by God. The man of lawlessness will use power, signs and miracles and will be done through the power of Satan. Since Satan and the man of lawlessness do not have legitimate claim to being worshipped, they will entrap those who will offer their loyalty to them because they were attracted to the counterfeit signs and miracles. Satan and the man of lawlessness “will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction.” What they can do and will do are beyond humanities’ imaginations. They will do everything to have people believe and follow them. The reason why there will be those who will be attracted to these deceptions that will lead to destruction is because “they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” Willful rejection to God’s offer of salvation will open a person to deception perpetuated by the enemy of God. In the parable told by Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man pleaded to send Lazarus so he can warn his family about the reality of hell. “‘I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment’… ‘if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God’” (Luke 16:28, 30). It is no use if somebody from the dead will be raised to proclaim the Word of God. The Word of God, the message of the gospel is readily available. The rescue was offered by the truth from God’s Word, but people had refused. God continues to offer salvation and all He asks is to receive Him as Lord and Savior. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Blessings,