IN days like these, when there is a growing inclination to disregard all the warnings of Holy Scripture, and still more to entirely refuse the authority of the Book itself, and to deny its inspiration of God, it might seem almost hopeless work to bring home to heart and conscience its solemn statements. And indeed it would be so, were it not that it is “the sword of the Spirit,” and given to the servant of Christ for use in the great conflict with the powers of darkness so long as that conflict lasts.
It is, moreover, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and oftentimes has pierced the hearts of those even who profess to disbelieve its teachings. It has a power which is of God, and the man of God is most solemnly charged to “preach the word,” and to “be instant in season, out of season” (2 Tim. 4).
“I am afraid there is not much use speaking to me, as I do not believe the base of it all,” was the honest and courteous rejoinder of one, not long ago, upon whom, at the close of a Gospel service, we were seeking to urge the importance of immediate decision for Christ.
This might have deterred us, had we not remembered that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4,54(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:4‑5)). We were also reminded of a conversation often related by an honored servant of Christ, who was present when it took place. It occurred many years ago during a journey in France in a diligence (coach).
An earnest Christian man had engaged in conversation with a fellow-passenger who turned out to be an infidel. A verse of Scripture having been quoted, the infidel requested that no further allusion should be made to a book which he did not believe. Our friend took no notice of this request, but presently pressed home another powerful text. This excited the indignation of the other, and soon, as out came another quotation from the sacred volume, his rage knew no bounds, as he exclaimed, “I tell you, sir, I do not believe that book, and so there is no use quoting it to me.”
“That is all very well,” was the quiet reply; “you and I are like two men who are having a duel, and you ask me to throw away my sword because it is not a good one. No, thank you, I see it cuts.”
It is in this confidence that we would turn the reader’s attention to the second chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. We shall not now attempt a detailed exposition of the passage, but here we get a divine answer to the oft-repeated question: “What will happen to those who are left behind after the Lord has come and taken His people to heaven?”
Let us again state what we believe is the plain teaching of God’s Word, — that (1) the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again; that (2) He is coming again quickly; that (3) when He comes, He will come into the clouds, and catch up His people into the air, leaving the earth and the people who are on it to continue for a short space before judgment falls upon them; and that (4) He may come thus at any moment.
But what will become of those who will be left behind? Having rejected the Gospel so frequently sounded in their ears, will they then have another chance of hearing it? Having despised the salvation so freely offered them through faith in Christ, may they yet after all be saved?
Solemn questions these; — most clearly and unequivocally answered in the Scriptures of truth. We are about, in the fear of God, to state what the Bible teaches on this all-important topic, and we would leave the reader to decide whether or not he shall believe God. We ask no one to believe us, for the settlement of this inquiry lies not with us but with God. But we would, with all the earnestness at our command, implore the reader to examine this chapter (2 Thess. 2), and see for himself if these things are not so.
We have elsewhere pointed out the difference between the coming of Christ for His people into the air, and His coming with them to the earth in judgment; this latter is called the day of Christ (or, the Lord).
After the removal of the Church, — which might take place today, and before the appearance of Christ “in flaming fire” to take vengeance on those that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, — the events described in our chapter will take place.
In verse 3, we are told that a man is to appear on this earth, who is here described as “the man of sin,” or “the son of perdition,” and in verse 8, “the wicked” (or lawless one). The one who here possesses these awful titles is elsewhere called “the Antichrist” (1 John 2:22, 4:3, &c.).
This man will be in his character the very opposite of Christ. He will exalt himself to such a degree that he will actually make himself to be worshipped as God (vs. 4). He will be possessed of a satanic power, and will work miracles, by means of which he will deceive the people that are left on the earth (verses 9, 10; Rev. 13:1414And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Revelation 13:14)).
After the first panic — which will doubtless immediately follow upon the removal of the people of God at the coming of the Lord — has in measure subsided, this Lawless one will assert himself, and by means of his lying wonders will gain possession of people’s confidence. God, too, will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie (ver. 11). Why? “Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved” (ver. 10). And to what end? “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth” (vs. 12).
These are solemn words! Reader, make your choice between “salvation” and “damnation.” Christ is “the way, and the truth, and the life.”
“Oh, receive it!
Oh, believe it!
‘Tis for thee.”
If you refuse Christ now, you may have to accept Antichrist. It may be that the reader will be actually one of those who shall be found on the earth during Antichrist’s blasphemous and satanic rule. God’s heart of love yearns over you now. He offers you Christ as, your Saviour, that, believing on Him, you might be saved. Oh, turn not away.
“There is no refuge for thy soul but He;
Wilt thou reject Him, and a wanderer be?”
“God hath set forth” Christ “to be a propitiation [i.e., a mercy-seat, or place of meeting, between Himself and the sinner] through faith in His blood” (Rom. 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)). Do you reject the doctrine of the atoning sacrifice of Christ? Do you hate the truth of redemption by the blood of Jesus? Ah, then, salvation for you is impossible. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)).
While pressing home these fundamental truths of the Gospel upon a lady, who had evidently and remarkably been impressed by the preaching of that Word which she had up till then refused to believe, we were startled by a look of determination coming over her face. With a stamp of her foot, and an emphatic “I won’t believe it,” she marched out of the preaching hall. Convinced that God was working in that soul, her case became a subject of earnest prayer; and not long afterward it was our joy to see the great battle between faith and unbelief ended, by a complete submission of heart and will, and mind and conscience, to God and His Word.
Reader, again let us warn you, that if you reject God’s offer of salvation made now to you in Christ, you are rejecting the only way of salvation possible.
A. H. B.