The rage of the nations. The nations and kings of the world rage because they desire to be unfettered by God’s Word and Law. See Why do the Nations Rage?
It began in Eden…
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:4-5
“In the Bible, God is the Creator. His chief power is to create; it creates animals and plants and humans according to his wishes. Now we are gaining this power to create life, just like God. And in a way, we even go beyond the biblical God.” ~ Yuval Noah Harari
Why do the Nations Rage?
Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to me, `You are My Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.'”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 2:1-12
Connecting dots…
Psalm 2 exposes the spirit of the Lawless One. Without God’s Word and Law we are all antichrists following after the Beast. The nations rage because they want self-autonomy. They want to eliminate God and mock God’s created order for families and genders. The nations want to be gods, and yet will ultimately worship someone who claims to be god.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom 1:20-21
Therefore when you see the `abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ” (whoever reads, let him understand), Matt 24:15; Dan 9:27
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thess 2:3-4
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Rev 13:3-4
A Rod of Iron
He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels ‘– as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. Rev 2:27-28
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Rev 12:5
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:15-16
Maranatha!
Further reading
For an exposition of 2 Thessalonians, see David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary.
When the wicked seem to flourish
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