September 25th, 2009
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Upon reading the entirety of 2 Thessalonians 2, this seems to be referring to the followers of the anti-Christ. It seems that some had been saying that the day of the Lord had already come, perhaps being led by the anti-Christ, or Satan.
It is then suggested by this verse that God specifically gives these people powerful delusions, makes them believe the lies that they have been told, and then condemns them for believing. It does seem as if it is suggested that they are already unrighteous beforehand and that God implants in them a firm belief in these lies, setting them in stone by forcing delusion upon them. Even if they sought the truth, they would not find it, as they are imprisoned by their delusion. Any way you slice it, a god that forces people to believe lies and then condemns them for doing so is immoral.