2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 Final Judgment

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. [2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NASB]

In the preceding verse, Paul makes reference to those who will perish "because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." To those people, God will send a deluding influence.

I know there are some Christians who find this concept confusing. How can God cause them to believe a lie? How is that right?

The simple answer is that if God does it, it is right. He defines what is right and what is wrong - not you or me. In another place, Paul said;

So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? [Romans 9:18-21 NASB]

We have to remember that He is the Potter, and we are only the clay.

But it's not like God is arbitrarily singling people out. Nor is He deceiving people. Those to whom He sends the delusion are those who have already rejected the truth. This is in line with what Paul says in Romans;

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. [Romans 1:21-25 NASB]

God doesn't tempt anyone to sin. But those who have chosen a lifestyle of sin in defiance of Him will be given over to their sin. Why would He do this? "In order that they all may be judged." (vs 12)

The book of Revelation describes the final judgment;

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. [Revelation 20:11-15 NASB]

For those who are in Christ, judgment is not a thing to be feared. It is only those whose names are not found in the book of life who are judged for their sins. Our sins have already been forgiven. Paul said;

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [1 Thessalonians 5:9 NASB]

Therefore take comfort. We don't have to live with the fear of death as the world does. When we stand before Jesus, it will not be to receive punishment, but our reward.

Father, thank You for delivering me from Your wrath, for the forgiveness of sins, and for the fellowship of Your Spirit. Thank You for the hope you have given me that when I see You face to face, it will be a time of worship and celebration.