'For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: ... ... '
(2 Thess 2:7)
Hello there,
The rejection of the Kingdom by Israel would, we are told, lead up, at the time of the end to the 'time of Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30),
'Alas! for that day is great,
so that none is like it:
it is even the time of Jacob's trouble;
but he shall be saved out of it.'
(Jer 30:7)
* When the Man of Sin will be revealed: but we are told that even then when the revelation was given in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, that the secret of lawlessness was already at work. Even now we see this secret purpose working. Lawlessness is already developed. We see it in the Family, in Society, in the Church, and in our nations . If we were asked to describe the one great feature which characterizes our times, we must say it it lawlessness. And this is the working of the secret counsel and purpose of the coming Antichrist, whose open manifestation will be the signal for the closing of this present interval, and whose final destruction will usher in the kingdom of Heaven. For then (ie., in the days of the seventh angel when he is about to sound), 'then is finished the mystery (or secret counsel) which God purposed to fulfil according to the good tidings which He declared to His servants the prophets' (Revelation 10:7).
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
2 Thessalonians 2:7 should be applied to the cause of the falling away from the faith in these latter days.
2 Thessalonians 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
I would apply that to what Paul is about to announce about that iniquity in how it was working even in his day that will be the major cause of the falling away from the faith in the latter days before Christ comes as the Bridegroom. Now I would discern with Him that this iniquity is believing the lie that one can receive the Holy Spirit after a sign for why many believers seek to receive Him again and again and again and even sinners at their conversions., Matthew 12:39-40
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 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.
We can know that this is the lie when Paul reminds believers of the traditions taught of us for when we had received the sanctification of the Spirit & the belief of the truth at the calling of the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
So those who lose self control in falling backwards and other things of confusion in slain in the spirit, holy laughter movement, and even for seeking another baptism with the Holy Ghost by that sign of tongues which never comes with interpretation and therefore assumed for private use as well as those sinners coming forward seeking proof of salvation by a notable sign of feeling the "Holy Spirit" upon them as they sometimes lose self control & fall, are those who have fallen away from the faith by that lie which is the iniquity that was happening back in Paull's days as it is happening in droves now in one shape or another fashion.
Now in spite of the "damnation" mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:12, Paul goes on to say they are still saved as we are commanded to withdraw from those that are disorderly but not to treat them as the enemy, but admonish them as brothers.
2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;.....
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
So what is the damnation mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 for how they can still be treated as brothers? They are at risk of being vessels unto dishonor in His House for being in that iniquity, unless they repent before the Bridegroom comes. That is why even former believes that would verbally deny Him, He is faithful because He still abides in them even when they are denied by Him when left behind from being disqualified to attend the Marriage Supper in Heaven.
2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:18
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
So that damnation are those who get left behind to die but their spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation as that vessels unto dishonor in His House as vessels of wood & earth for our confidence is in him to finish His work in us, as He will do for those that gets left behind when He burns off of that foundation all works of iniquity that denies Him defiles that temple of God in dying even though they are saved.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
So that loss is about not being partakers of the first fruits of the resurrection in being that vessel unto honor in His House thus being "damned" as that vessel unto dishonor in His House, vessels of wood & earth, but still in His House.
So that mystery of iniquity is the cause of the falling away from the faith in these latter days and it has to deal with the lie that one can receive the Holy Spirit after a sign "again" by saved believers or by sinners in seeking salvation for the first time, thus engaging in iniquity even though they are saved the moment they believed in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
May God cause the increase.
