So that means, even the Watchtower Society themselves acknowledges this indisputable fact. And yet, to the surprise and horror of many, they arbitrarily, yes deliberately render the Greek word (pem'po) as "lets go" in the New World Translation, apparently to support their own faulty theology on the "Man of Lawlessness." Did you know this?
In so doing, the New World Translation bible itself, becomes a work of shame for the Watchtower Society. In so doing, yes, they are openly "twisting" the scripture, distorting its true meaning, to make it mean something Jehovah did not intend. (See 2 Peter 3:16 New World Translation Large Print Reference Bible footnote for "twisting" which literally means "distorting" God's message.) There can be no question, this is a blatant example of INTELLECTUAL DISHONESTY on the Watchtower Society's part, in translating verse 11 of 2 Thessalonians 2nd chapter, to deliberately "twist" or "distort" God message of truth. Think about it!
We recall, the latter part of 2 Thessalonians 2:10 additionally gives the real reason why God takes a direct hand in this matter. We are reminded it says:
".... They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved," (NIV)
or, as the New World Translation renders it,
"...those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved."
The operative word here in verse 10, is "refused" or "did not accept" the love of truth. They "refused" the truth, when it was presented, no doubt, repeatedly. Therefore, Jehovah "sends" them the "operation of error" or a "strong delusion" in this instance, as these ones (the "Man of Lawlessness" and followers) had already made their final choice, on their own volition, and this choice proved to be a clear rejection of God himself and His Sacred Message of Truth. So, in keeping with their own desires, Jehovah takes direct action against them, in harmony with their own desires.-- See Romans 1:25, 26.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, page 720, explains it this way:
"They choose to believe the lie and GOD SENDS THEM the delusion that is inherent in their choice. This powerful judgment from God is justified by the unbelievers' decision to refuse the truth."
“… GOD DOES NOT ACTUALLY “SEND” THE “OPERATION OF ERROR”???
In review, we recall according to Watchtower Society publications, Jehovah merely "allowed" or "let go" (by means of Satan) the "operation of error" to go to the clergy of Christendom (“Man of Lawlessness”) at approximately the same time they were "revealed," back in the 4th century.-- See "God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached," pg 381-384 par 40-43.
Amazingly, a direct quote from the 1975 Watchtower magazine, page 271, paragraph 4 makes this blatant statement in full contradiction of the inspired contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:11:
"God DOES NOT DIRECTLY SEND this 'operation of error,' but lets it go to the deceived ones in order to prove that it is what they really want.(Compare Hebrews 4:12) In this way all honest-hearted persons can see that God is just in his judgment."
Were you aware of such a statement published in the Watchtower magazine on this topic?
As stated above, this published statement shown above by the Watchtower Society, is an absolute CONTRADICTION of what verse 11 actually says, even as noted in their own New World Interlinear Translation. In other words, they are blatantly and brazenly contradicting the bible itself on this matter. And the proof for this is their own interlinear rendering itself. Now, how wicked is that?
Obviously, the Watchtower Society doesn't have much confidence in the bible scholarship of rank & file Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as their full readership of their magazines, nor in their ability to reason, proving them (Jehovah's Witnesses) to be a most, pitiable people, so opposite of ancient Beroeans of Paul's day.-- See Acts 17:11.
So, as noted above, the Watchtower Society openly teaches the "operation of error" (NWT) or "strong delusion" (NIV) was simply "allowed" to go to these people who are unfortunately under the control of the Man of Lawlessness. Yes, Jehovah simply "allows" Satan to cause this to happen, but He does not actually do this himself. In this way, the Watchtower Society can teach, the "operation of error" emanating from Satan has gone forth to the churches of Christendom (centuries ago) resulting in demonic teachings like the trinity and hellfire to be taught to their members. And of course, the people of the churches of Christendom, need the invaluable help of 7 million Jehovah's Witnesses, to liberate them from these demonic teachings, with help from Almighty Jehovah God. See how it works? Think about it.
So, if such a scenario were true, then could Jehovah’s Witnesses teach Jehovah has merely "allowed" this "operation of error" or "strong delusion" to emanate from Satan for centuries now, until such a person trapped in the churches of Christendom, could be rescued, or recovered from it with of course, Jehovah God's Almighty help. And certainly, we can conclude this to be the case since many, many former members of Christendom felt they have been rescued from teachings like hellfire and trinity, with Jehovah's help using the door-to-door preaching of Jehovah's Witnesses, resulting in their becoming Jehovah's Witnesses themselves. Isn't that so?
Now if the above viewpoints are correct, then it would seem one could recover from the "operation of error" or "strong delusion" that God Almighty "let go" by the hand of Satan, and did not personally "send" Himself. They could be recovered from these "strong delusions," with the help of Almighty Jehovah. But if, as we assert, this "strong delusion" (NIV) or "operation of error" (NWT) is sent directly by Jehovah himself, then we know, it would be impossible for anyone to recover from it. It is Jehovah's final judgment upon those wicked individuals.
Which viewpoint do you think is more reasonable? Do you think Jehovah simply "lets" the operation of error go to individuals by the hand of Satan? Or do you think, as the bible plainly says, Jehovah directly "SENDS" the operation of error to such ungodly persons? Which viewpoint do you prefer? (Please see below scanned copies of the 1994 edition of The “REPORT” Book, Volume 1, pages 172-175 which covers the above topic in detail.)