[audio http://gospellightminute.buzzsprout.com/3192/119690-the-mystery-of-iniquity-now-and-later.mp3]
Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #137
TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10
Have you ever wondered why there is so much evil in the world? Have you ever wondered why people do bad things so often? Wars, genocide, torture, rape, murder, and kidnapping all occur frequently in various parts of the world. We know that the Bible says we are all sinners — we are all predisposed to do bad things — but, by now, with all of the laws, all of the law enforcement officials, and all of the justice systems in place, one would like to believe that our societies have the sin problem under control. Yet, the tide of sin rolls on unabated. Why?
As we ponder that question, we can look to Scripture to shed light on this matter. And we find that the answer to this question is wrapped up in yet another mystery. Paul is writing to the Thessalonians, and he calls this mystery the “mystery of iniquity.” The word iniquity means “sin” or “evil” — a rebellion against laws. In a previous letter to the believers in the city of Thessalonika, Paul had talked with them about the second coming of Christ. However, there was some misunderstanding or incorrect application of Paul’s letter as here he sets out to supplement that writing with further teaching.
He tells the believers that he does not want them to become shaken in mind or troubled regarding the day of the Lord. Adam Clarke writes, “The term ‘to be shaken’, signifies to be agitated as a ship at sea in a storm, and strongly marks the confusion and distress which the Thessalonians had felt in their false apprehension of this coming of Christ.” Evidently, some of the believers in Thessalonika began to think that Jesus Christ had already returned, and they had missed the boat. However, Paul tells them “that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
This falling away refers to an apostasy in the church and a general worldwide rebellion against the truth. Just this week, the Church of England began a new evangelism program and said that the country of Great Britain was so ignorant of the Gospel that there was no use trying to persuade anybody to believe anymore. That is what it will be like when this “falling away” occurs; people will be blind and deaf to the truth.
After this falling away, the “man of sin” will be revealed. If you think we have it bad now, just wait until this man comes on the scene. Edmond Hiebert tells us that “sin will have such absolute domination over this man that he seems to be the very embodiment of it.” This man, the antichrist, will oppose the worship of God. He will claim that he himself is god and demand to be worshipped. Paul asks the Thessalonians, “Don’t you now remember that I told you these things?”
Now, we come to the key text of our passage in verses 6 and 7: “Now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
Today, let’s unpack this text regarding the “mystery of iniquity.”
1. Notice the restraining. The first thing we notice about this mystery of iniquity is that there is something or someone restraining it. Paul says, ‘Now you know what is withholding it’ or restraining it. In other words, someone is holding back the man of sin who has yet to be revealed. This restraining force is none other than the third person of the Trinity — the Holy Spirit.
2. Notice the revealing. Our passage lets us know that the Holy Spirit will not restrain evil forever. Verse 7 goes on to say, “only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to be taken out of the way? This simply means that the Holy Spirit will no longer act in its restraining capacity against evil.
3. Notice the removal. Just as this mystery of iniquity has an appointed time at which it will come to pass, the Father has set an appointed time at which it will be removed. Verse 8 of our passage goes on to say that “the Lord shall consume [the man of sin] with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
+ Plus, listen to Chris Tomlin as he sings “How Great Is Our God” and TobyMac singing “Forgiveness”.
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