---And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
—2 Thessalonians 2:11–12
I have found that many people will reject Christ without even knowing what He says. They will reject the Bible without reading it, even saying the Bible is full of contradictions. But when asked what so-called contradictions in the Bible they have a problem with, they can never identify them. That is because they haven't read the Bible. They refuse to believe the truth, and instead they believe the lie.
What is the lie? When it is fully realized in the Tribulation period, the lie is that the Antichrist is God, and people will buy into this. Then God will confirm their choice and "send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:11ââ,¬"12). Those who turn from the truth of God to the Antichrist and refuse God's answer of salvation will be turned over to their own self-willed choice.
For example, Pharaoh hardened his heart, even when miracle after miracle was performed by the hand of God through Moses and Aaron. But then we read, "The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh . . . " (Exodus 9:12). Isn't that a contradiction? No, it is a progression. Initially Pharaoh did harden his heart. He hardened it again and again. And then God hardened, or strengthened, it.
God has given us a free will. He will not force us to believe something we don't want to believe. He will come to us and seek to convince us of the truth of the Scripture. The Holy Spirit will work on our hearts. But we have the ability to resist Him.
If you harden your heart again and again, there will come a day when God will strengthen you in your own resolve.
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