The mystery of iniquity

[StewardoftheMystery]

What about this mystery of iniquity Paul spoke of in 2 Thessalonians 2:7? I will get to that in just a bit, but I want to show you what I call the mystery of iniquity, or the mystery of seven which began with Cain. I believe this mystery of 7 is tied into what Paul called the mystery of iniquity, which Paul said was already at work in the world in his day.


So lets go back to the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. We saw earlier in our study how the Devils desire became mans desire, and how sin would reign over man, which is shown in verse 7. And we see in verse 11 after Cain kills his righteous brother Abel that God said he was “cursed” from the earth. And we see in verse 12 that Cain is to be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth. We see in verse 14 that Cain is removed from the presence, or face of the Lord. And in verse 15 we see God sets a mark upon Cain, and God said whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.

In the above verses we have all the elements of what I call the mystery of 7, or the mystery of iniquity. We have the “mark” of sin, we have the “curse”, we have wandering in the wilderness, and we have the multiple of 7. This sign is repeated several times in the scriptures, and when the Lord repeats these signs over and over, He is trying to show us something important.

Notice in Genesis 4:23 Lamech says to his wives, I have slain a man to my own wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and seven fold. Here we see the vengeance is not on those who kill Cain or Lamech, but on Cain and Lamech themselves. God says in Proverbs 8:36 But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul, and they that hate me love death.” And that is what Lamech is saying, he killed a man to his own wounding and to his own hurt. And also notice with Lamech we also have the multiple of 7, as with Cain.

This sign of a falling away, and being marked with sin and having to wander in the wilderness is also shown in the children of Israel in Numbers 14. Many of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and complained about being brought out of Egypt. In verse 4 the people wanted to appoint a captain to lead them back into Egypt, because they lusted after all the good stuff they used to have in Egypt. This is the sign of the falling away from the faith, and a returning back into the bondage of sin.

The people rebelled against the Lord, and they even wanted to stone Moses and Aaron to death. The Lord was ready to destroy the people right then and there, but Moses intervened on the peoples behalf. But notice what the Lord says in verse 33-34 The Lord said the children of Israel shall wander in the wilderness, and they shall “bear their iniquities” during this 40 years in the wilderness.

The Lord also gave a warning to the children of Israel in Leviticus 26:14 what would happen if they would not hearken unto the Lord and do His commandments. In verse 17 the Lord said He would turn His face against them. Notice in Leviticus 26:18 God said He would punish then 7 times more for their sins. And in verse 21 God repeats that He would bring 7 times more plagues upon you according to your sins.

So we have all the elements we saw with Cain, we have rebellion against God’s commands, we have the mark of sin (having to bear their iniquities), we have the people having to wander in the wilderness like Cain. We have Gods face (presence) turned against them, and we have the multiple of 7.

Another sign of this is also shown in Leviticus 16 with the prophecy of the scapegoat. The priests were to take 2 goats, one for the sins of the people, and his blood was brought within the vail and sprinkled on the mercy seat. This goat represents what Jesus did for the sins of the people. The blood of the sacrifice was to be sprinkled 7 times.

But notice beginning in verse 21 what is to be done with the other goat, which is called the scapegoat. The goat was to bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited, the goat was to be let go in the wilderness. Again we see the mark of sin (bearing of iniquities) the wandering in the wilderness, and the multiple of 7.

Another sign of this is shown in Ezekiel 4:4-6 Ezekiel was told by the Lord to lay on his left side, and he was to “lay the iniquity” of the house of Israel upon it according to the number of days determined. And then he was to lay on his right side to “bear the iniquities” of the house of Judah for the days determined. What is interesting about this is, in the law the priesthood was to bear the sins of the people. ( Num. 18:1 and verse 22-23) just as it is written in Hebrews 9:28 That Christ was offered to bear the sins of many. So this sign would be like the sign of the good goat, not the scapegoat.

Another sign of this mystery is shown in Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and Daniel interpreted the dream. Daniel told the King that the decree from God was about him, and how he was to be given a “beasts heart” and thrust out of his kingdom into the wilderness until 7 times pass over him. But notice in verse 34 that at the end of the days Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding returned to him.

This is similiar to what happened to the children of Israel after the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time all the men of war had perished out of the congregation because of their rebellion, and all those who had originally come out of Egypt at the beginning of the exodus were circumcised.

But notice in Joshua 5:2 God told Joshua to circumcise the children of Israel again, a second time. In verse 5 we are told that all the people who were born in the wilderness were not circumcised. This is an important clue that will help us to understand end time prophecy concerning the flesh and blood children of Israel, and ungodliness being removed from Jacob. Keep in mind, in the Revelation, after the man-child (Jesus) is caught up to God, we see a woman fleeing into the wilderness.

But like in the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, many of the saints will be overcome by the spirit of the Devil, and would also fall away from the faith.
To be continued.....

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Now let us go to the prophecy of the falling away from the faith, and the mystery of iniquity. We are warned in 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” Also in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

The falling away from the faith above mentioned by Paul has to do with the saints of God being overcome by all the lies and deceptions of the Devil by way of his spirit, which is the spirit of a lie. This spirit of a lie is also shown as the false prophet spirit which works in many deceivers. As many false prophets and teachers were foretold to come into the world like a swarm of locusts from hell and darken the Light of the Truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul was playing off the words of Jesus when he referred to “that man” and “son of perdition” in the above verse. But this is not to be misunderstood as a being single individual man yet to come in the future like Judas, but rather it speaks of the sin nature of man (mystery of iniquity) being raised back up again in the world and embraced. These seducing spirits and doctrines of devils would enter into the man-made church system as well, thereby causing many to play the Harlot with the ways of the world, and thereby making them desolate of good works and naked by sin.

Notice how Jesus refers to a whole wicked generation as “a man” and “ that man” (like Paul said) here in Matthew 12:43-45 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

Now notice the wording Jesus used showing the “last state of that man” referring to a whole wicked generation compared to Peters concerning this same falling away in 2 Peter 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

I believe the unclean spirit that was cast out, and sent to wander in desolate places is talking about Satan. Before Jesus went to the cross, he declared in John 12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” This is when Satan was cast out of heaven down to earth as a part of Gods judgment. Those who are born again and are sealed by God’s Spirit are protected. Just as it is written, those who are born of God sin not, and the Wicked one touches them not. But when you fall away from the faith, that protection is lost, and you are vulnerable and wide open to attack. This is why Jesus said that evil spirit entered back into that man, and took with him 7 other spirits more wicked than himself.

Jesus said in Mark 3:27 “No man can enter a strong mans house, and spoils his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” Satan is stronger than man, and we cannot cast Satan out ourselves, it is only by the power of God that Satan is cast out of our house. But if we do not have Gods protection, then we can be overcome by the Devil. And this is what was prophesied to happen with many of the saints.

To be continued...

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Many of the saints being overcome is also shown here in Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”

So this spirit of deception and lies would also overcome many of the saints as is also confirmed here in Daniel 7:21 “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;” That horn is the tail of the red Dragon, which speaks of the spirit of a lie working in all the false prophets of the world. This spirit of a lie was foretold to practice and prosper in the world and also cast the truth and also some of the host of heaven to the ground.

So was Paul talking about a single man in 2 Thess. or a single evil spirit and also other seducing spirits working in a whole wicked generation like Jesus said? Well if you read the whole chapter in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 you will see this truth is shown…“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 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.”

Clearly Paul was talking about more than one single individual man in the above verses using words like them , they, and they all.

Also it is written, that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness.
But what about the term “son of perdition?” It speaks of the same thing, as was first shown in Judas (one who broke bread at the Lords table) who also sold out the Truth for a pocket full of silver. Just as the firstborn Esau sold his birth right inheritance for some red pottage.(sin) Look at what Peter had to say about the “son of perdition.”

Peter goes on to quote scripture concerning Judas, (son of perdition) in the Psalms Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.” Now, in order to confirm my point about there being more than one “son of perdition” or son who goes into destruction, let’s look at the Psalms from where Peter was drawing this from.

In Psalm 69 we see this same language used in verse Psalm 69:25 “Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.” Notice the Psalm says “their” as in more than one. As a matter of fact, if you read the whole Psalm the Lord is speaking of many, like in verse 4 the Lord says “they that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head”. The Lord repeatedly uses the words “they, their, and them”, in the Psalm just as Paul also used the same language in 2 Thess 2:10-12 describing the man of sin, (lawlessness) and son of perdition.

Now let’s confirm the same message in another Psalm which speaks of what Peter also quoted in Psalm 109:8 “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” Now that sounds more like what Peter was quoting from when he said in Acts 1:20 “Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take” Which this does speak specifically about the single man Judas. (Which has already been fulfilled as Jesus noted in John 17:12.)

But let’s now look at that Psalm in the greater context of what is being said.

Psalm 109:1-13 “Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.”

Again notice the words “his children” “them” “their” and also notice they are to be vagabonds like Cain seeking their bread in desolate places. Also notice it mentions their name being blotted out. And there is one sure way to get your name blotted out of God’s book of life and that is by sin, as God said to Moses in Exodus 32:33 “ And the Lord said to Moses,Whosoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”

So though him was referring to the single man Judas in this Psalm, as both Jesus and Peter confirmed. I believe it is very clear that Paul was not talking about a single man yet to come, but rather a whole wicked generation who would fall away from following after the Truth in Christ, and also go into destruction.

 

[Samson2020]

The Mystery of Iniquity speaks to why Iniquity exists. That reason at this present time is to perfect through sufferings the called, chosen, elect.
Perfecting for Jesus was accomplished by the things that He suffered. Those being betrayal, (Judas), denied (Peter) scourged and crucified (Romans) and other things, but the point is that
these iniquities that came against Him were for His own good as "ALL THINGS WORK TO THE GOOD FOR THOSE THAT LOVE GOD." Jesus loved the Father and knew this as He understood
why He was here, which was to become the first ever perfect overcoming seed that would be infused into mankind so that they to could be empowered to overcome the iniquity of the world.

Now who created evil? Is it not God? As He has taken credit for it in Isaiah 45:7 Who placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden? You see the point.

So now try to comprehend why would God do that to us? Simple, for without the knowledge of both good and evil Gods children could not be like Him in shunning evil even forgiving all
evil done to it so that love may abound and grace even more so than sin to the point that sin would have no foothold in any of us eventually.
Iniquity exists to produce sinless spiritual beings. That indeed was hidden before Christ but after it has become somewhat known by His followers.

I leave one example and that was the response to Peters question of how many times shall I forgive? The answer was basically "always" as the more you forgive the more you become
like your Father which is in Heaven. And that is the entire point, to become like our Father, and it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom and that Kingdom is His likeness in all regards.

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

The Mystery of Iniquity speaks to why Iniquity exists. That reason at this present time is to perfect through sufferings the called, chosen, elect.
Perfecting for Jesus was accomplished by the things that He suffered. Those being betrayal, (Judas), denied (Peter) scourged and crucified (Romans) and other things, but the point is that
these iniquities that came against Him were for His own good as "ALL THINGS WORK TO THE GOOD FOR THOSE THAT LOVE GOD." Jesus loved the Father and knew this as He understood
why He was here, which was to become the first ever perfect overcoming seed that would be infused into mankind so that they to could be empowered to overcome the iniquity of the world.

Now who created evil? Is it not God? As He has taken credit for it in Isaiah 45:7 Who placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden? You see the point.

So now try to comprehend why would God do that to us? Simple, for without the knowledge of both good and evil Gods children could not be like Him in shunning evil even forgiving all
evil done to it so that love may abound and grace even more so than sin to the point that sin would have no foothold in any of us eventually.
Iniquity exists to produce sinless spiritual beings. That indeed was hidden before Christ but after it has become somewhat known by His followers.

I leave one example and that was the response to Peters question of how many times shall I forgive? The answer was basically "always" as the more you forgive the more you become
like your Father which is in Heaven. And that is the entire point, to become like our Father, and it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom and that Kingdom is His likeness in all regards.

The trying of our faith works toward patience when we are tempted, and unto perfection when we resist temptation and overcome, like Jesus did. It is not to give into temptation and depart from the faith, that is the opposite direction. The mystery of iniquity as I explained above is about the parable Jesus spoke concerning "the last state of that man being worse than his first state" speaking of a whole wicked generation. That is not overcoming, nor perfecting, but totally departing from the faith; which then leads to destruction.

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

More verses confirming the prophecy of the falling away from the faith….

1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Matthew 7:26-27 “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Luke 6:39 “And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Timothy 3:6 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7 “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 6:9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

Hebrews 4:11 “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

Hebrews 6:4-8 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Acts 7:38-39 “ This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,”
Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 17:32-33 “Remember Lot's wife.33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
Genesis 19:26 “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”

2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Ezekiel 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
Ezekiel 33:12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

Ezekiel 33:18 “When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.”

 

[Samson2020]

That is not overcoming, nor perfecting, but totally departing from the faith; which then leads to destruction.

Thats why its called DEPARTING FROM THE FAITH not the mystery of why sin (Iniquity) exists. 2 different subjects.

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Thats why its called DEPARTING FROM THE FAITH not the mystery of why sin (Iniquity) exists. 2 different subjects.

I explained in post #2 what the mystery of iniquity is, it has to do with Jesus’ parable, read again.

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Here is the prophecy of the mystery of iniquity.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

King James Version

​

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
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.”

Paul is talking about a Wicked spirit that is at work in the temple of God, our bodies are the temple of God, as written.

John 2:21
But he spake of the temple of his body.
1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?