The church for the most part has been given over to delusion with regard to its predominant doctrinal positions. There is no pie-in-the-sky “rapture” or associated end-time fantasies based upon it.
The Second Coming is not the Day of the Lord. Mixing these concepts causes false conclusions. If accepted these fantasies make a Christian ineffective.
These misguided concepts originated in previous generations. Some Christian leaders, among other misconceptions’, did not recognize that a parable was not intended to be interpreted literally.
Parables are intended to conceal a literal truth, as Jesus said in Mark 4:11-12.
Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mr 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
It is easy for people to forget how completely Holy God is. He charges angels with sin, and He dwells in unapproachable light, 1 Tim 6:16.
In that vein, we should remember that a parable is intended to veil the truth from two kinds of people, unlearned and unbelieving, 1 Cor 14:23.
In the case of the disciplinary application of this truth, this can be referred to as giving a knowledgeable person over to “delusion”, 2 Thess 2:11.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 KJV — And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
A mean-spirited or unloving person is among those who are not going to understand a parable or message in tongues.
Mt 13:12 (RSV) For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Mt 13:13 (RSV) This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
This veiling of the “word” for judicial discipline, is seen in Isaiah 6:9-10 and Matt 25:29. In those cases knowledge from God is removed from a willfully sinful believer.
Mt 25:29 For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Isa 6:9 ¶ And he said, Go, and tell these people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
In these cases, God gave the Christians over to a strong delusion so that they could be judged for willful sin and not forgiven.
In addition to disciplinary action, his restricting of knowledge can be a protection.
If a novice or “unlearned” person in the faith is unable to spiritually digest a certain truth they will not be exposed to that truth, 1 Tim 3:6. God will not allow them to understand the concepts.
Knowledge, if not taught in the proper order can be harmful. This may cause Him to stumble, John 16:12 and Exodus 23:29.
For example, a person should not be taught to drive a car before they can walk.
Ex 23:29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
John 16:12 KJV — I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Christians are not instantly taught the truths of scripture by the Spirit of God. We are involved in a growth process. We are being conformed to the image of Christ incrementally not instantly, 2 Cor 3:18.
2Co 3:18 (RSV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Future generations have so greatly revered teachers of previous generations that they have, in some cases, been prevented from experiencing further growth.
Misguided doctrinal positions have been adhered to tenaciously. The lack of Biblical study has furthered this condition.
This delusion/misunderstanding has become entrenched. It was adopted by future generations without much testing (1 Thess 5:21) or resistance. As has happened in past generations, the study of tradition has replaced Bible study in these cases.
Most of the religious leaders don’t even recognize that they are deluded at this point.
It is, however, clearly obvious, and scripturally provable, without extensive effort.
For example, the “rapture ” is seen to be a delusion simply by the inclusion of 1 Thess 5:7 into the doctrinal mix. In that verse, the condition of “sleeping” is seen to be voluntary.
The Day of the Lord is clearly not the same thing as the Second coming. The simple difference in these two terms should make any rational student aware of this.
Jesus will not return physically. He ascended on high to fill all things, Eph 4:10. This is also elementary.
Eph 4:10 (RSV) He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
The New Testament records His ascension and return thru the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is seen to go to heaven in Acts 1:9 and returns in Acts 3:20.
He only comes to those who love his appearing, 2 Tim 4:8.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
How can His appearance be physical if only believers will see it, Heb 9:28?
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The references to His Coming in the “Day” of judgment are not the appearances of Jesus in person, but through His instruments of indignation, as an example shown in Is 19:1.
Isa 19:1 ¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
The “tongues” debacle is also easily discounted by including Acts 2:11. Those who spoke in tongues had conversations regarding the “works of God”. As we are told in Mark 4:11 the mysteries of God are only revealed to Christians. This is all clear from scripture, but “Babylon” or confusion lacks clear scriptural understanding.
Our spiritual leaders are deluded because they don’t know the scriptures. They are however well versed in their respective traditions.
La 1:10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
The Lord’s pattern is to deliver spiritually drunken leadership over to deception when they are seen to be “Men of Sin”, Isaiah 28:7 and 2 Thess 2:3.
This delusion originally happened generations ago and should no longer be tolerated.
So how do we come out of this?
Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?