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  "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work..." [2 Thessalonians 2:7].

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation (or, manner of behavior) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others." [Ephesians 2:1-3].

         There are many dimensions of relationship with our God, and the believer is challenged to "go on to perfection," [Hebrews 6:1] being changed "from glory  to glory."  [2 Corinthians 3:18]. We are keenly aware that we share out of a limited understanding, "for we know in part, and we prophesy in part." [1 Corinthians 13:9].  Nevertheless, though we "see through a glass darkly,"  we believe that our path shall be as the morning light "that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs [ 4:18].  It is BY HIS GRACE that we see more today than we did in our yesterdays, and it will be BY HIS GRACE that we receive added revelation in coming days. Currently we have heard but the" whispers of the mysteries,"  in His time we shall hear more clearly what "the Spirit saith the called out." [Revelation 3:6].
         One thing we are becoming aware of, until we understand our GOD in relationship to, in control over, and His purpose in "the mystery of iniquity," we do not really begin to know Him as much as we thought we did. We would not rush in where angles fear to tread, but softly taking those steps which He marks out with an open heart, we will consider these things.
         We perceive that our God is sovereign! He alone is God, there is none else! He also is the first Cause of all causes, "For of Him," literally, OUT OF HIM, "are all things." [Romans 11:36].  It is also written, that not only is He the Alpha, He is also the Omega, therefore INTO HIM shall all things RETURN, be consummated. It is in this interim of the ages, having come OUT OF HIM, and before returning INTO HIM, that we have the workings of the mystery of iniquity. But it is still the SAME GOD working all in all, in control, accomplishing His own purpose, to His glory and praise.
         Paul writes, in Romans 9:21, "Hath not the potter power over the clay; of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another to dishonour?" The substance of the lump is the same for both, it is what HE forms and fashions out of that lump, and the purpose He chooses to fulfill through each one, that reveals His sovereignty. While in His purpose, "willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, He endures with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction." [Romans 9:22]. He is also able after they have served their negative purpose, to "make it again another vessel, as seemeth good to the potter to make it." [Jeremiah 18:4]. And He shall, for the Son shall reign "till He hath put all enemies under His feet," and then shall He deliver up the kingdom to the Father, "that God may be all in all," that is, very-thing in everybody, the indwelling and controlling factor of life. [1 Corinthians 15:25,28].
         It was God who "turnest man to destruction: and sayest, Return, ye children of men." [Psalm 90:3]. "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of HIM who hath subjected the same in hope." [Romans 8:20]. Subjected to frailty, condemned to frustration, under the tyranny of change and decay, not voluntarily, not because of some intentional fault on its part, BUT BY THE WILL OF HIM WHO SO SUBJECTED IT.  Yet with a view to the ultimate deliverance, when all creation shall share in the magnificent liberty that belongs to the children of God. Praise God!
        The Hebrew word "avon" for iniquity means "perversity,"  while the Greek word "anomia" means "lawlessness." Workers of iniquity are literally those who are lawless, rebelling against the law, choosing a state of anarchy.
         Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish (or, are made naked): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Our vision is our covering until it is fulfilled in reality. The need for a vision is obvious. But it is the next statement that we would call to attention, for "he that keepeth the law, happy is he." There is a specific law for the fulfillment of every vision. If one does not keep the law that applies to the vision, they will never realize its fulfillment. Break the rules, disregard the law and order whereby one progresses to the goal, and they will never arrive there. One might have received a vision, but if they become lawless, and will not follow the governing principles whereby it can be brought into fruition, they shall never know its happiness.
         Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast our devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto tem, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." [Matthew 7:22-23]. Why won't He know them? Because they were not within the confines of His divine order for proper fulfillment. They wanted to do the miracles, prophesy, have dominion over devils, etc. but they did not want it God's way. They wanted it all for their own selfish ends, to fulfill their own purposes, to build their own kingdoms. Doing their own will, in contra-distinction to doing the Father's will, branded them as "workers of iniquity", as lawless ones.
         Prophesying, casting out devils, wonderful works-- they are all to be done for one purpose, to fulfill HIS WILL, to build HIS KINGDOM, to glorify HIM. He has a law, a divine order for this operation, we do well to obey.
         It is most heartening to read statements such as found in Ezekiel 21:25, "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end." Man's lawlessness shall not continue forever. While He has always exercised that control which brought restraints, kept evil within bounds, He has also decreed the day when INIQUITY SHALL HAVE AN END. This is confirmed in 2 Timothy 3:1,9, "This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come, " and then follows a listing and description of all their lawless ways, being "men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. BUT THEY SHALL PROCEED NO FURTHER.
         The Amplified gives, "in the long run they won't get very far."
         Rotherdam: "But they shall not force their way further. "
        "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for THE DAY shall declare it." [1 Corinthians 3:13]. Concerning the reprobate, workers of iniquity, their folly shall be manifested to all men. They shall proceed no further, for iniquity shall have an end. Yes, we have all these evil manifestations these days, but that is not the end of the matter-- the end comes when HE PUTS DOWN all self-rule, all authority and power which has rebelled against God, that righteousness might fill the earth. Perilous times and conditions can proceed no further than what God's purposes ordain. "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." [Isaiah 59: 19]. God sets the bounds, to say, "thus far, and no farther."
         There is a true principle, based on Biblical truth, though not expressed in "chapter and verse," and it is this: all evil shall self-destruct, all good will perpetuate. God built these laws into both. Even nature teaches us these things. It is a survival of the fittest. The weak, the sick, they become prey for the healthy and the strong. The law was built in, "the wages of sin is death." [Romans 6:23]. But the GOOD "if ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." [Isaiah 1:19]. "In His days shall the righteous flourish; and the abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." [Psalm 72:7]. And again, "The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish." [Proverbs 14:11].
         The mystery of iniquity makes its appearance in the Garden of Eden, when we read, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." [Genesis 2:17]. The next chapter goes on to give the record of how Adam and Eve did partake of the tree, and reaped the consequence. Isn't it interesting, that from that time on, all the world has put a sanction on it, including Christendom, and now they say it is all right to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so they daily partake, and they continue to die.
         The serpent wanted Adam and Eve to eat of this tree, because he knew that in the day they partook thereof, it would DIVIDE AND DESTROY. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." [John 10:10].
        Now, if God had wanted to protect His naive creation from damage by the work of the adversary, it would certainly have been better for Him to have placed man where the adversary had no access. Or at least, as Satan said to the Lord, "hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?" [Job 1:10].  And with an hedge GOD-PLACED, Satan could not come in as a thief. Obviously God did not place this hedge about Adam and Eve. God also took away that hedge from around Job, so that the adversary could try him sore.
        Or God could have at least not planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil so close to Adam and Eve, He could have "hedged up the tree" with no access to it.
        Therefore we conclude, either God had some most glorious purpose in view, or it was the most profound blunder in all of His creativity. We must see the Hand of God in it all, His sovereignty, His total victory. I dare say, the mystery of iniquity does more to bring out the sovereignty of God, than some of the realms of blessing which we enjoy.
         Why did God arrange for man to partake of this tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Yes, He forewarned them of the consequences if they did so, but He did not take measures to prevent it. In His foreknowledge He knew what they would do, that they would sin, and He had already provided for this, with His own Son to be that "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." [Revelation 13:8].  Before there was a sickness, He had purposed the cure. Before there was iniquity and a fall, He had planned redemption. Yet there is a purpose in the working of the mystery of iniquity.
        "How be it. . . God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart."  [2 Chronicles 32:31]. The purpose is to work something in man. God already knows what is in man. We read that Jesus "knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man." [John 2:25]. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." [Hebrews 4:13].  So what is God doing in all this? He is exposing man to himself. Of the natural man it is written, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART, I try the reins. . ." [Jeremiah 17:9-10] .
         Yes, God can turn His searchlight on, and illumine that which is within us. But that is not the only part of His marvelous working. He is able to set before us certain negative things which draw out of us that which is within. Paul wrote, "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." [1 Corinthians 11:19]. Bring some form of heresy into our midst, and if there be any thing within us which responds to that thing, we take up with it and thus expose ourselves concerning this deviation.
         Again, so in control is God over all this working of the mystery of iniquity, that we read, "I will also choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them." [Isaiah 66:4].  And He uses these things to DRAW OUT OF US all of the self that would respond to these things and we come face to face with ourselves-- forced to acknowledge that this was in us, else we would not have responded to it.
         Amazing the things which God arranges to come our way-- teachings that appeal to some aspect of self, sounding so spiritual and deep, but actually only serving to satisfy some part of the flesh within. As He opens our eyes to see these things, and our responses, we weep before Him for that cleansing, and a purging out of the very root of this iniquity in us.
         When God withdraws the consciousness of His presence from us, and we are left to face things, seemingly on our own, whatever is remaining of self in us will respond to those iniquities. The Psalmist knew this well, and so he prayed, "Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee." [Psalm 51:11-13].
         The word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel, saying, "Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus. . ." [Ezekiel 28: 12]. The Hebrew for this word "upon" is literally-- over him, or beyond him. In the foreground you have the king of Tyrus as the focal point, but actually the things you are going to speak go beyond him, speak of another of which this king simply stands in figure for the moment. Of this one to which reference is really being made, it was then said, "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." [verse 15]. What was that iniquity-- that perversity-- that lawlessness? In the parallel passage with this, of Isaiah 14:12-15, we read five times, "I WILL." It was this rebellion to the law and will of God, to pursue the course of self-will.
         "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that My fear is not in thee, Saith the Lord God of hosts." [Jeremiah 2:19].
         No, we don't have all the answers now, to deal with the problem of evil, its why and wherefore, etc. we are, barely into the "whispers" of the mysteries. But even so we see our God has arranged it, controls the interplay of good and evil, and it has never gotten out of His Hand. HE uses things we never dreamed possible, because we could not see God in it at the time.
         Titus 1:1 begins, "God, that cannot lie. . ." And Numbers 23:19 reads, "God is not a man, that He should lie. " Then there came a day when the Lord said, "Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?" And there came forth a spirit that said, "I will persuade him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith ? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. " And so, said Micaiah, "Behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee." [1 Kings 22:20-23].
         Thus God uses the negative, a lying spirit, to persuade Ahab to go into a battle wherein he would fall. Why a lying spirit? Because there was that thing in Ahab which would respond more to a lying spirit, than respond to the truth. Lawlessness was within him, and a Lying spirit drew out that lawlessness, and brought about his downfall.
        "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong (Greek, in working) delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." [2 Thessalonians 2:10-12].
         The case is clear they "had pleasure in unrighteousness." They delighted in lawlessness. Iniquity freely worked in them. Therefore God would send them a strong delusion an in working delusion. Two ways are set before us here: receiving the love of the truth to work into us into salvation, or, to receive an in working delusion so that we believe a lie. Interestingly enough, GOD SENDS THEM BOTH, and so brings forth vessels of mercy, and vessels of wrath. Those who receive the Love of the truth find that it works in them divine graces unto salvation, to become His vessels of mercy revealing His love and grace to all mankind. But those who are lawless, who cannot receive the love of the truth, in turn receive an IN WORKING ERROR.  And then they will be "damned." The Greek word is "krino" meaning, TO BE JUDGED. They will have to pass through those correctional chastening processes until they are purged of all lawlessness that responded to the delusion the error. When everything within is purged, so that "all that is within me, bless His holy name." [Psalm 103:1]. Then the error is dissipated by the light, and truth shines on, bringing life and victory.
        "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." [Matthew 4:1]. Had it read that Jesus led by the Spirit into the Temple, we would have understood such leading divine, spiritual. But to be led into a wilderness for the specific purpose of being tempted, tested, tried by the devil-- ah, that is another matter. But He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." [Hebrews 4:15]. There was not one particle of lawlessness in Him which could be ignited into flame by the tester. "Because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." [John 5:30]. And thus He could summarize His entire earthly sojourn with the testimony, "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." [John 14:30]. He was totally free of iniquity, He was "a Lamb without blemish, and without spot." [1 Peter 1:19].  It is into this same purity, this same holiness that He is bringing His people, when the in workings of our salvation are consummated. And thus "INIQUITY SHALL HAVE AN END."
         "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." [Luke 22:31-32].
        Now for sure, if this had been in our times, as a good charismatic, or a deliverance ministry believer, we would have gathered around him, had Peter sit on a chair in the middle of the circle, and we would have rebuked and commanded Satan what to do, where to go, etc. But Jesus simply prayed that his faith would not fail. Jesus knew that His Father controlled the whole working of the mystery of iniquity, how it would be used to test and try, and with the end secure, Jesus simply prayed for Simon's faith to come through the trial.
         John wept, until "one of the elders saith unto him, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed. . ." [Revelation 5 :5]. God is not losing out, He has a perfect plan of absolute victory. Weep not, dry your tears, it is going to be all right. God controls the Interplay of good and evil, and He shall "work all things together into good. "
         "The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." [Proverbs 16:4].
         "And I have created the waster to destroy." [Isaiah 54:l6].
         Paul once wrote to the elders of a certain group, "to deliver such an one unto Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."  When this sinner was being disciplined, it would appear that utter destruction was in view BUT GOD purposed that though the "flesh" would be destroyed, the spirit would be saved. [1 Corinthians 5:5].
         Paul understood this, because God had given him a revelation that though messengers of Satan were sent to buffet him, and used to abase him, humble him, it would all be used to draw him closer to God.  And that God's grace was sufficient for the entire operation. To rightly understand these things gives a new outlook on our daily travail. Not to lament with Jacob, "--all these things are against me," [Genesis 42:36] but to be able to say with Joseph, "as for you, ye thought evil against me; BUT GOD MEANT IT UNTO GOOD, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." [Genesis 50:20].
         When Israel was finally carried away into captivity, as discipline for their sin, Daniel prayed to the Lord one day, "Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought t it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice." [Daniel 9:14]. The Lord watched upon the evil! He knew what was going on, He knew the sin of His people, and He knew the evil HE HAD PREPARED FOR THEIR DISCIPLINE.
        "Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and HE SHALL KNOW THAT  I  HAVE NOT DONE WITHOUT CAUSE ALL THAT I HAVE DONE IN IT, saith the Lord God." [Ezekiel 14:22-23].
         We are so prone to ask, why? why? why? Certainly  "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. . . " [1 Corinthians 2:14]. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thought than your thoughts."  [Isaiah 55:8-9]. So even while our carnal mind cannot solve the mysteries of iniquity, yet in our spirit we know that HE has not done without cause all that He has done. He has and is using it all to work out His purpose. Sin has been allowed to exist for wise ends, and when those ends are secured, it shall cease to exist. The lawlessness in the creature shall be thoroughly purged out,  and from every fiber of our being shall come that blessed  surrender, "not my will, but Thine, be done."  The illusions and delusions which appealed to the old adamic nature will find no response in us, and "where no wood (carnal nature) is, there the fire goeth out." [ Proverbs 26:20]. Having served its purpose, iniquity shall have an end, and He brings forth "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."  [2 Peter 3:13].
       "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only there is one who restraineth now, until he may become from the midst. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to nought by the manifestation of His presence." [2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, Clementson].
         The King James Version gives "until he be TAKEN OUT of the way." But the Greek word here is "BECOME". There is that which is BECOMING FROM THE MIDST, it is now in the process of being formed and brought to maturity, and until it has fully BECOME, all else is in restraint.
        Creation is waiting-- for what? The unveiling of the man of lawlessness? No ! Such does have an appointed time, but he cannot be revealed until those who are the "WITHHOLDING" force have first BECOME. Creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Let the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing. [Psalm 2:1]. Let them go daily onward, seething as a boiling pot. The climatical explosions of iniquity cannot be brought forth until God has completed the development of HIS TRUE STABILIZING INFLUENCE in His creation His sons! Then there shall be an uncovering of THE LAWLESS ONE whom our Lord shall destroy, utterly bring to nought. And all of the "sons of disobedience" shall pass through the fires of purging, and be reconciled to God again.
         Iniquity is not a mystery to our God! He controls every facet of its working, it becomes a servant to His purpose, and it shall be brought to an end, and HE shall be glorified. Bless His holy name for ever!

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