September 29 2026

September 29 Tuesday

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

“Receive the Love of the Truth”

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we continue our journey through 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, looking at verses 9 and 10. Yesterday we saw that the coming lawless one, whom I believe to be the Antichrist, will ultimately be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. But before Paul tells us more about his destruction, he tells us something about the source of his power. Verse 9 says that the coming of the lawless one will be: “according to the working of Satan.” That tells us immediately who is behind him. The Antichrist will be Satan's counterfeit Christ.

And Paul says his coming will be accompanied by “power, signs, and lying wonders.” That is very important. We sometimes assume that if something supernatural happens, it must be from God. But the Bible warns us that Satan is a deceiver. Not every miracle proves that the person performing it represents God. Not every supernatural manifestation comes from God. Our standard must always be: What does the Word of God say?

Paul calls these things “lying wonders.” The wonder may appear real, but it is being used to promote a lie. Satan has always been a counterfeiter. God has truth. Satan has lies. God has Christ. Satan will present Antichrist. God has His children. Satan has those who follow him. God performs signs and wonders. Satan will have his counterfeit signs and lying wonders. That is why spiritual discernment is so important.

But then Paul tells us why people will be deceived. And I believe this is the most important statement in these verses. Verse 10 says they perish: “because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Notice that Paul doesn't merely say they didn't know the truth. He says they didn't love the truth. There is a tremendous difference between knowing something about the Bible and loving the truth of God's Word. A person can know Bible stories. A person can attend church. A person can know the plan of salvation. A person can even agree intellectually that Jesus lived, died on the cross, and rose again. But salvation involves personally receiving the truth of the Gospel and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Ultimately, receiving the truth means receiving Jesus. Years ago, I heard someone say: “The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.” The difference isn't in the sun. The difference is in what is exposed to it. And the same is true of God's truth. When we hear God's Word and respond to it with faith, it changes us. But when we continually hear God's truth and reject it, our hearts can become hardened. That's why whenever God speaks to our hearts, we should respond.

Maybe you've heard the Gospel hundreds of times. You know John 3:16. You know Jesus died for your sins. You know He rose again. But the important question is: Have you personally received Him? Paul says these people did not receive the love of the truth “that they might be saved.” God wants people to be saved. Jesus went to the cross so that we could be saved. The Gospel is still being proclaimed today so people can be saved. And that is why we should share it while we have opportunity.

My friend, don't simply admire the truth. Don't merely study the truth. Don't just listen to the truth. Receive the truth. Believe the truth. Love the truth. And most importantly, receive the One Who said: “I am…the truth.”

Let's pray. Father, thank You for giving us the truth of Your Word and the truth of the Gospel. Protect us from deception and give us spiritual discernment. May we not merely know Your truth intellectually, but love it, believe it, obey it, and share it with others. And if someone listening today has never personally received Jesus Christ, may today be the day they place their faith in Him and are saved. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!