A Letter Of Encouragement- The Enemy Is Defeated Series

Series: Action [#61]

A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT- THE ENEMY IS DEFEATED

2 Thessalonians 2:4-12

Introduction:

Before humans were created, Lucifer and a 3rd of the angels in Heaven tried to overthrow God. God casted them out of Heaven. Since that point, Satan and the fallen angels have worked hard at destroying mankind. The enemy knows that he is defeated; but he will inflict as much turmoil on the people on this earth as possible. In our text today, we see how the enemy is going to use the Antichrist to try to fool people.

2 Thessalonians 2:4-5

The enemy…

1. Wants to be God.

Since the beginning, Satan has wanted to be the one in charge, the one who is worshiped. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will set himself up as God. He will be indwelt by the Devil. Once again, Satan will try to be God.

Paul indicated to the Thessalonians that he had spoken to them about this many times. Things are not different today. The enemy is always working to hurt God. He knows what his ending will be; but he also knows how to hurt God- That is by keeping humans from following God and by influencing Christians to not live like Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

The enemy…

2. Will be destroyed by God.

A mistake that many Christians make is we give the enemy more power than he really has. Satan is not all knowing, all present, or all powerful- He is not God. Satan does not know what you are thinking unless you tell him. Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. Our text reminds us that all of this is in God’s timing.

The Antichrist, Satan, and all fallen angels are going to be destroyed by Jesus. Jesus will destroy the enemy with the Sword from His mouth, which is the Word of God. Here we are told that the Antichrist will be overthrown with the breath of His mouth, (the Holy Spirit) and the fact that Jesus will return in all of His glory.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The enemy…

3. Wants people to perish.

The only way that the enemy can hurt God is by keeping people from being saved. God will allow the Antichrist to perform miracles and he will fool many people. It will all be a part of the enemy’s lies. There will be many who are not saved and they will spend eternity in punishment.

Conclusion:

We cannot forget that God and His children are victorious. The enemy will be forever destroyed.