Paul the
apostle reminded the Thessalonian church members “the day of
Christ” would not come until that “man of sin” or
“son of perdition” is revealed. He previously shared these
things with them in person so they knew “what withholds that he
might be revealed in his time”. In chapter two and verse seven
of this second letter to them, Paul shared concerning “the
mystery of iniquity” where we read:
until he
be taken out of the way.
The
verse begins, “For
the mystery of iniquity does already work:” Paul
began with the words, “For
the mystery”
which means “because, since, even and indeed the hidden thing,
secret, and not obvious to the understanding” “of
iniquity”
or “the condition of without, ignorant and violating law or
wickedness” “does
already work”
which in Greek is the phrase “energeō
ēdē
energeō” and
means
“to be operative, put forth power, aid, to effect or display one's
activities”. Paul basically shared how it is a “mystery”
of how people are drawn to
“iniquity”.
Rather than seeking after goodness and truth, many are attracted to
that which is evil and false.
The verse goes on to say, “only
he who now lets will let,
until he be taken out of the way.” Paul
continued, “only he who now” which
means “the solo and alone one who just now at this moment and at
this very time” “lets”
or “holds back, detains, retains and hinders” “will
let until” which means “will hold back,
detain, retain and hinder till, as far as and as long” “he
be taken” or “come into existence, begin
to be, come to pass and happen” “out of”
or “from, by and away from”
“the way” which means “the middle,
midst of and among”. Paul's idea is for the Holy Spirit to be
“taken out of the way”.
Though He will continue to be active, the Holy Spirit will not hinder
the work of the “man of sin”
or “son of perdition”,
and people will be attracted to this evil man even as they are to
evil itself.
When we meditate upon Paul's words, we begin to
understand the attraction of people to the “antichrist”. Since
they are already prone to seek after things that are evil, they will
be inclined to be drawn to this “son of perdition” as
well. The Holy Spirit will “step aside” and allow this “man
of sin” to flourish on the earth before “the day of
Christ”, and there will be many who will follow him. We must
guard our own lives from the attraction of “sin” and keep
in our minds how the Lord Jesus knows all of these things well before
their actual appearance. May all who have ears hear what the Spirit
is saying to the Thessalonians through Paul the apostle.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians what happens when “that
Wicked” is “revealed”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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