Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Spiritual decline and falling away from the truth are earmarks of this rebellion.

The current state of our nation is a good example, giving rise to curiosities about the emergence of the one who will lead the world into its final destruction.

But hold on.

This letter to the Thessalonians is much more of a warning guarding against being deceived than a footnote about revelation of the identity of the Antichrist.

Whether it speaks about today, tomorrow, or years from now, the command is “do not be deceived” about the coming of the Lord.

Meanwhile, a lot still needs to happen.

So in the interim, how do we guard our hearts and minds from would be deceptors and their highly persuasive messages?

At the same time these deceptions are emerging, notice the numbers of public figures, entertainers, and sports figures coming out of the woodwork for Christ.

Notice the rise in bold defenses of our faith and values at great personal, social, professional, and political cost.

The lines are being drawn and rebellion is in the air.

Read, understand, and live your bible. Gather near to godly people. Immerse yourself in truth and prayer for wisdom.

Act as if tomorrow may not come and if so, that it may increasingly not arrive like we hope or expect.

Guard against being deceived more than being preoccupied with discovering the identity of the man of lawlessness.

His time will come.

Your time is now.