Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

   May 25, 2023                                                                  

 

                                                                  What is The Mystery of Iniquity?

 

            Many people enjoy mystery stories of one kind or another. Detective television programs have been popular.  One program many used to watch is the late actor, Peter Falk of the Columbo detective series. His suspect characters always thought they were smarter than Lieutenant Columbo. He seemed highly disorganized in his investigation, yet Columbo always had just one more question which he asked in his signature raspy voice. This led him to finally resolving the case, and the usual suspect was arrested.

 

            What is a Bible mystery? This is a mystery that we cannot know except by Divine revelation, and even after revelation is given, it exceeds our capacity to fully comprehend it. The mysteries of God have been hidden from the eyes of most since Adam and Eve were created.  How?  Satan has blinded them.

            The Bible mentions what is called the “mystery of iniquity.” Just what is it and when and how did it begin?

            When Daniel was faced with interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he told the king: “only God reveals mysteries.” (Dan 2:28). In Revelation 10:7 it says, “…in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”

            God has already revealed many but not all of His mysteries to His servants so they can understand His plan (Amos 3:7; John 15:15). The great mysteries of God will ultimately be opened to the understanding of all people.

The Mystery of Iniquity Started Way Before the Garden of Eden

            It goes way back before the Garden of Eden.  God's creation was called 'good' and even 'very good' on that pivotal sixth day when man and woman were created (Gen 1:31).  And yet by the third chapter, with the initial innocence and harmony existing in the garden, we see there is something which develops which is not good. Something has gone wrong.  Without background information no one can really understand what occurred.

            The Bible tells us in the book of Job the angels watched with excitement when God laid the foundations of the earth. They sang and shouted for joy at the earth’s creation (Job 38:4-7). This means the angels were created before the physical universe came into existence.

            There was joy among the angels when God created this earth. They liked what they saw! And yet some of the angels became unhappy. The Bible speaks of the corruption of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. Lucifer rebelled and became God’s adversary, and as a consequence, God changed his name to Satan. God names things what they are.

Introduction of the Big Lie

            In the book of Genesis 3, we are quickly introduced to the subtle serpent who through craftiness and deception tempted and deceived Eve (I Timothy 2:14). In the same manner he corrupted a third of the angels by telling them lies about God to gain their assistance in his rebellion. When Adam and Eve were created, the pinnacle of God's creation, new victims of his lies became his target to deceive.

            Satan, that old serpent, tells Eve the big lie, you “won’t surely die: He said in fact, “God knows in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

            He essentially told them this lie: you can be like Him! You can be God. You can call the shots, make the decisions, be like the highest. You don't need to be dependent upon Him. You don't need Him! Listen to me because I am telling you the truth!

            Satan told Adam and Eve what Lucifer really wanted when he rebelled against God. God told Lucifer, “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

            When Adam and Eve accepted the lie, their eyes were actually opened. Things were instantly different. Satan was successful.

            It is encouraging to remember, Satan doesn’t have full control. Surprisingly, Satan’s use of the mystery of iniquity has been restrained since then, but it has never been taken out of the way. It has always been there.

            In II Thessalonians 2:7, the mystery of iniquity becomes clearer.  The word “iniquity” is used in the King James Version, but in newer translations the word is translated “lawlessness,” meaning the absence of a code of law to govern conduct in life.

 

            Paul reminds the church the mystery of lawlessness, or iniquity, is already at work. The ‘great lie’ is you don't need God. You can be your own god. The world has bought it, and today almost everyone is a law unto themselves.

The Antichrist and Corruption of the Church

            The Apostle John says 'the spirit of the antichrist' was already in the world in his day. Many antichrists have operated by the spirit of iniquity to cause confusion right through church history. There will be a specific Antichrist who will come (I John 2:18; 4:3).

            How the church was corrupted is a rather complex story and remains a great mystery. How was the law done away, and the Sabbath and Holy Days rejected by the church? How was grace turned into a license to sin within the great false church, the majority of Christianity? How did the great harlot come to ride the beast in seven successive resurrections of the Holy Roman Empire? How did the counterfeit churches which emerged in the Protestant reformation muddy the spiritual waters even more, and yet still retained the same false doctrines? 

 

            Now only God can restrain the Devil. The mystery of lawlessness will be unleashed in the end time. Revelation 12:17 says Satan will make war with the remnant of her seed and those who once knew the true gospel and kept the commandments. So, what will it be like when this restraining force upon the mystery of lawlessness is removed?

            Jesus spoke of the end of days. He said in Matthew 24:12, “because lawlessness will be so rampant, the love of people will grow cold.” The Apostle Paul warned that perilous times would come.  People will turn inward; they will care only about the self (II Timothy 3:1-7).

            What are we to do? If we want to be on the winning side of history and be given eternal life, we will be different.  We will be set apart or sanctified by the truth.  II Cor. 6:17-18 tells us “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”

 

            Have a restful Sabbath and a productive Pentecost weekend.