Don't Believe Every Sign

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

When Jesus was on earth, he did lots of signs and miracles to prove that he is the Son of God. After he ascended into heaven, he gave his disciples the ability to do miracles too.

But they were not the only ones. Do you know who else has the power to do miracles? Satan does. Satan—the devil—is not all-powerful like God. But Satan is very powerful. Long ago, he enabled Pharaoh's magicians to replicate some of the miracles that God did through Moses. Satan especially loves using signs and wonders to distract people’s attention away from Jesus to his lies.

These words help convince Lutherans that Paul is speaking about the papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout its history, the Roman Catholic Church and its popes have used signs and wonders to distract attention away from Jesus. Here are two examples: First, do you know how many miracles a person must do to qualify to be a saint? Two! Popes search for miracles as evidence to exalt a person to sainthood, where that person receives extra attention and praise and even prayers. Whom do those miracles distract attention away from? Jesus! Second, the Roman Catholic Church loves to share stories of miraculous appearances of Mary or other saints to people here on earth. Whom do those stories of miraculous appearances draw attention away from? Jesus and how he came to earth to save us.

So don’t believe every sign. Our sinful human natures love miracles and outward extravagance. But how does God actually communicate with people? Through the gentle whisper of his Word.

The devil wants you to have a faith that’s based on signs. Then he can manipulate your faith with false signs and wonders. More importantly, then he can distract your focus away from Jesus.

God wants you to have a faith that’s based on his Word. Then that faith can stay sure and certain no matter how the devil rages. Even the most spectacular miracle is nothing compared to the fact that the Son of God died on a cross to save us from our sins. Don’t believe every sign. Trust in the Word!

Dear Lord, Satan is powerful. He wants to use his power to pull my attention away from you. Keep my heart from running after miracles. Instead, teach me to trust in your Word. Amen.

Pastor Nathan