In the context of Seventh-day Adventist theology, the concept of God giving people strong delusions is often discussed in relation to 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

KJV 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

CEV 11 So God will make sure they are fooled into believing a lie. 12 All of them will be punished, because they would rather do evil than believe the truth.

, which states, "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Defining Delusions

In general terms, a delusion is a strong belief held in the mind that is contrary to reality, often resistant to reason or conflicting evidence. It is not merely a mistake in perception or judgment but involves a more profound error in how one interprets and understands reality.

Adventist Commentary on Strong Delusions

1. Cause and Effect: Adventists interpret this passage as highlighting a cause-and-effect scenario driven by the choices of the individuals themselves. God sends a "strong delusion" not arbitrarily but as a response to the persistent rejection of truth and righteousness by individuals. This is understood within the framework of God respecting the freedom of choice He has given to humans.
2. Judicial Hardening: This concept is seen as a form of judicial hardening, similar to the hardening of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus. It is a judicial act where God gives individuals over to the consequences of their choices, allowing them to be confirmed in their delusion. It is important to note that this "sending" of delusion is seen not as God deceiving them, but rather withdrawing His Spirit because they have persistently rejected the truth, thereby allowing them to follow their chosen path to its logical conclusion.
3. Role of Deception: In Adventist eschatology, deception plays a significant role in the events of the last days. The "strong delusion" can be linked to the deceptions that will be prevalent during these times, including the acceptance of false christs and false prophets. Adventists believe that understanding and adhering to scriptural truth is a safeguard against such deception.
4. Importance of Truth: There is a strong emphasis on the love of the truth as essential for salvation. The passage indicates that those who "had pleasure in unrighteousness" and consequently did not love the truth would be susceptible to deception. This underscores the Adventist focus on scripture and the teachings of Jesus as the foundation for discerning truth from error.
5. Last-Day Context: The context of this discussion is often linked with the last-day events, particularly concerning the mark of the beast and the seal of God. Adventists believe that end-time prophecies warn of widespread deception, and understanding these prophecies is crucial for preparation and endurance through these times.

In conclusion, within the Adventist framework, the idea of God sending strong delusions is tied deeply to the principles of free will, the consequences of rejecting divine truth, and the cosmic conflict between good and evil, emphasizing the critical need for adherence to scriptural truth to avoid deception.