Contradiction of 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 7

Dr. Couch, I understand from 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 that the lost will believe a lie during the tribulation period. But then in Revelation 7, it speaks of the Gentiles coming to Christ during the tribulation period. Is there a contradiction? ANSWER:  No this is not a contradiction. It is a both/and not a neither/nor! Revelation 7 reads, "I saw a great multitude, … from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, … crying saying: 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb'" (vv. 9-10). Who are these folks? "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (v. 14).    Many multitudes during the tribulation will believe the lie of the anti-Christ who is driven by the lie of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9-12). They are deceived and "do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved" (v. 10). Thus, God sends them a deluding ("leading astray") spirit so that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness" (vv. 10-12).    Yet, thousands will believe the truth during the tribulation! Not all are deceived. Those who come to Christ during this terrible tribulation period will suffer, and die as martyrs. But many survive and enter the messianic kingdom when Christ comes.    Those who believe in Christ during the tribulation ("those who are beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus," Rev. 20:4), will "come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years" (v. 5). They are the ones who are "Blessed and holy and who have a part in the first resurrection" (v. 6). This "first resurrection" is the resurrection that takes place as the kingdom period begins. These resurrected ones are the tribulation believers and martyrs. They "will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years" (v. 6b).    Who are "the rest of the dead" who do not come back to life until the thousand years are completed" (v. 5)? They are the unbelieving dead who are resurrected for the Great White Throne judgment. The lost are resurrected and "judged from the things which were written in the books (scrolls) according to their works" (v. 12). "The dead were judged every one of them according to their works" (v. 13). "They are thrown into the lake of fire, anyone whose name was not written in the book of life" (v. 15).    It is not difficult to get all of this straight, that is, if one studies by context and takes the Bible at face value. Don't dump all of the Bible verses into one big bucket and mix everything together. Keep things where they belong!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (August 2009)

What About the Lost?

Dr. Couch, how should we respond to those who ask, "What about those who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ?" 

 

    We should answer scripturally. Before the lost person one is witnessing to, the issue is "Have you trusted Christ as your personal Savior?" Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. It is our responsibility to present the gospel; it is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring whom He pleases to saving faith! This is His world and His work. He is in charge! 

    Now deeper spiritual truth from Scripture will tell us why men do not accept the gospel, and why God has not sent the message to the entire world, which He has not! The world is in denial of God even by the evidence in nature (Rom. 1:18-32). Men are depraved (v. 28), never ever seeking after God (3:9-17), are children of wrath by nature (Eph. 2:3), followers of Satan (v. 2) and dead in their trespasses (vv. 1, 5). Dead men cannot get up and walk! And besides, the sin of Adam has been imputed to his entire race (Rom. 5:12-19). 

    Thus the lost who have never heard the name of Jesus will not be judged on the basis of their rejection or acceptance of Christ, but on the fact that they suppressed the truth (1:18), denied the evidence of Him (v. 19), and are now without excuse for their lostness (v. 20). They refuse to honor God (v. 21) and have become fools (v. 22). They refuse "to acknowledge God any longer" (v. 28). They practice the sins they see and "give hearty approval to those who practice" such sins (v. 32). 

    Remember what I just wrote above, your eyes may not wish to accept because you may be into humanism (wimpy sentimentality) and not strong virile hard truth that comes from the rock of Scripture! 

    You need my book Fundamentals for the 21st Century that has chapters on depravity.

    Thanks for asking. 

    Dr. Mal Couch

What About The Lost?

Dr. Couch, Do the lost go directly to hell or is there an intermediate place of waiting until the final judgment? 

 

   ANSWER: The final judgment of all of the lost for all dispensations takes place at the end of the millennial kingdom, as clearly indicated in Revelation 20:11-15. The unsaved are seen standing before the great white throne awaiting final sentencing. That the judge is the Lord Jesus seems clear from John 5:27 where Christ says all judgment is handed over to the Son. 

    Many passages of Scripture paint a terrible picture that indicates the lost are in a place of torment even now while waiting for the final judgment. God must punish sin. His holiness and righteous cannot tolerate a speck of evil. His mercy and grace are clearly seen in nature (Rom. 1), and in the offer of salvation in Christ (John 3:16), but the world repudiates both witnesses! 

    The Bible pictures the torents of hell in physical-like terms, though until the final judgment, hell presently would be more spiritual in nature. The lost are resurrected for the final judgment and therefore will be in their resurrected bodies in torment, for ever! Isaiah writes that the corpses of the lost, "those who have transgressed against Me," are continually "consumed." "For their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorrence to all humanity" (Isa. 66:24). Daniel says the lost are raised "to everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2). And Christ says of those who have died that even presently "the worm never dies" (Mark 9:48). Christ also said that the new life, and the punishment of the lost, are both eternal and forever and ever! (Matt. 25:46). 

    Thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch