The strong delusion is not a future event. God explained to Ezekiel that many people who claimed to be sincere and dedicated to Him were dedicated instead to the idols of their heart.....

Ezekiel 14:3
"Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces; should I let myself be inquired of at all by them?".

..so God sent a STRONG delusion WITH ALL WICKED DECEPTION....

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and 11
"and with all wicked deception...11...Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false".

The church of man (church of Peter) was instituted in Antioch (and the disciples were then first called "Christians"). The "incident at Antioch" was that the Jewish followers of Christ wanted to retain the MOSAIC LAW. Peter agreed to this, Paul didn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_at_Antioch


Matthew 16:23...(and Acts 5)....Jesus said to Peter...
"But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but OF MEN".......

.....even though Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts, it was Peter's behavior, attitudes, and decisions that formed the CHURCH OF MAN....."WICKED DECEPTION" for those inclined to be wicked.


Jesus did all of the "works" necessary (the "works of God" should be manifest 'IN US'.....(meaning that we should RELAX/"REST in JESUS")....rest in The Lord and be bored if you wish (He places NO requirements or responsibilities on us).

Our Lord did not come to prevent our enjoyment of life, He came to bring a DISCERNING "sword" (Ephesians 6:17) that we may learn to be just to our fellow man and to be a TRUE human being (a son of "in His image" man..."son of man").

John 6:28
"Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the WORKS of God?".

John 9:3
"Jesus answered, "but that the works of God might be made MANIFEST IN..."....show results in us ("REST" in Jesus).....

The Israelites never had "REST" in Jesus.....

Hebrews 4:3
"'They shall never enter my rest,'" (although his works were finished from the foundation of the world").

"REST" means REST (God places NO REQUIREMENTS/obligations of any activities on us, our job is to simply TRUST that the works that Jesus did on the cross are completely sufficient for purification/salvation of the flesh).

...(the "great commission" was fulfilled two thousand years ago).

Purification OF THE CONSCIENCE happens when we learn from God's SPIRIT to be peaceful and just. When we learn to be peaceful and just ("good and right and true", Ephesians 5:8 and 9), then we will always have a clear conscience ("purified" conscience)....

Hebrews 9:14
"purify your conscience".

...there are many "better things that belong to salvation" (Hebrews 6:9) that have not been taught.

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Like Ezekiel (and others in scripture), we are to be a SON of "in His image" man as before the fall (Ezekiel 14:3).

Psalm 82:6
"I say, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you".

Luke 6:35
"and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the UNGRATEFUL and the SELFISH"........

............yes, we MUST TRUST that Jesus did it ALL so that we could have joy in life (do things that further our enjoyment of life....life is for US).

We should be a "self" and lack insecurities,...and also should not have the attitude/insecurity of 'neediness'...we should be COMFORTABLY TRUSTING that it is THE LORD that has already provided and always will provide what is necessary for our lives (and salvation)........"I need not be thankful/grateful to ANYONE, especially MAN (and God doesn't 'give' anything IMPERIALISTICALLY),....for the creator's providence is sufficient for me"....

......therefore, I am COMPLETE AND WHOLE (kind of like DaVinci's "universal man").....this is a "BETTER" thing that BELONGS TO salvation, no?.

If you can be philisophical like the Athenian culture in Acts 17 whom Paul could speak to in a more direct manner than the PARTISAN (rules/regulations minded) crowds in Jerusalem and other locations, you will understand this.

All verses are from the RSV.