The Mystery of Iniquity
2Thess 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
What exactly is this “Mystery of Iniquity”? Let's dissect these words and see if we can reach some sort of conclusion. The word translated “mystery” is the Greek word “musterion”, (Strongs # 3466) and is from a derivative of “muo” - (to shut the mouth). Thayer's Greek definitions give the meaning as “a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding”.
The second word we will explore is the word “Iniquity”. This word is from the Greek word “anomia” (Strongs #458) and means a “violation of law”. “Anomia” comes from the Greek word "nomos" (Strongs #3551) which is translated "Law" nearly 200 times in the New Testament, almost without exception speaking of the Law of Moses in the "Old Testament.
So, this tells us that the mystery of iniquity is the “Mystery of Lawlessness” or the “Mystery of Torahlessness”. John tells us in 1 John 3:4, that the very definition of sin is the transgression of the law (Torah). This puts things into a little more serious light, doesn't it?
Most Christians, when they read these verses have a tendency to gloss over them without really understanding what they are saying. They naturally assume it is not something they are guilty of or even have to worry about. But, is this true?
Yahushua warned us in his very first recorded Sermon on the Mount about this.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Fulfill does not mean to abolish or do away with.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Are all things fulfilled now? Of course not! There are still many things that have yet to occur and besides, heaven and earth are still here. But, the main reason Yahushua cited the phrase “heaven and earth” is because Israel was warned 3 times in Deuteronomy that heaven and earth were called to witness against them what would happen if they did not keep the law (Deut. 4:26-27; 30:10-19; 31:26-29). In each instance, it is referring to keeping the Commandments of YHWH, the law. The punishment for violating them was to be exiled from the land and be scattered into all the world (Deut. 4:27).
There are some serious implications to what Yahushua said. If the law is abolished as is commonly preached, then Yahushua lied. This would disqualify him from being the Messiah and we would still be in our sins. Thankfully for us, he did not lie. Yahushua warned us several more times that there would be false prophets arise who would teach that the law was abolished.
Mat 24:11,12 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Here is that word “iniquity” (anomia) again which could be translated “lawlessness”. YHWH doesn't give a hoot about man's laws; what He is talking about here are His laws.
In Revelation 2 :14-15, Yahushua says he hates the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. Their doctrines were similar and from a careful reading of the story of Balaam, we find that the doctrine of Balaam was what he told Balak to do to get Israel to sin. That was to get Israel to ignore the teachings of Moses and the prophets, or in other words, to violate the law or Torah (Numbers 31:16). Since YHWH had not allowed him to curse Israel, he revealed to Balak how to get Israel to bring a curse upon themselves.
Peter also warned of false prophets and shepherds that would contradict The Messiah and bring upon themselves destruction. And many would follow their pernicious ways, which would cause the way of truth to be blasphemed. Remember, the Torah is truth. (Psa. 119:142). They have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam (2 Pet. 1-15). Also read Jude 4-13. The word translated “deny” can also be translated “contradict” and makes more sense here. He said the law would never pass away, they say it did.
You see this attitude with many Christians who regard only the New Testament as pertinent to them today. They follow after the doctrine of Balaam and disregard the laws and commandments of YHWH, His Torah.
You think not, dear Christian? Do you keep the Sabbath? Do you keep the Feasts of YHWH? Do you eat things YHWH has declared unclean? Do you eat meat that still has the blood in it? These are all part of YHWH's commandments, which have never been rescinded and are in fact, eternal.
In short, this is the mystery of iniquity. It is the idea that is taught in most churches that the Torah is no longer binding upon us and we are free to do as we please because we are under grace, and no longer under the law (Torah). They have not heeded Peter's warning in 2 Pet. 3:16, that some of Paul's letters were hard to understand which unlearned men would twist to their own destruction. They don't understand that “to be under the law” is to be relying upon the law to save you. All of us have broken the law and therefore need the Grace of YHWH to be saved. That is why he sent Yahushua.
Let's look into one more thing Yahushua said that should rivet our attention. Of course, many have read through the next few verses and have assumed it is talking about someone else. My comments are in bold letters.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
They will look like the sheep. They are called “chaff” in Jer. 23:28 as opposed to the wheat (true servants of YHWH).
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
This is exactly how you will know them.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Their fruit is false doctrine.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
They (the chaff) have cast away the law (Isa.5:24; Hos. 4:6; Luke 3:17)
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
They teach that the law (Torah) was done away with and it is no longer necessary to keep all of YHWH's commandments. You can just pick and choose which ones to obey, cafeteria style.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Yes, they will call him Lord, Lord (Baal), same as today. The one who will enter into the kingdom is the one who does the will of YHWH. What is YHWH's will? It is revealed in the Torah (law), which they claim no longer applies to us today.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
We built big crystal cathedrals and super churches, we even said “Yea, thus saith the Lord...” and we even cast out demons in your name ( a lie since they almost never use the name of Yahushua). We did all these wonderful things just for you. Not withstanding, they seldom took the time to find out what his name is, much less proclaim it to the flock. Or they just didn��t think it was that important.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Very sad. There is the same word “iniquity” (anomia) again. Yahushua professes to them that he NEVER knew them that work Torahlessness.
Yahushua also said in Matt. 7:13-14 to enter in at the strait gate. This is the narrow way that leads to life and sadly, only a few will find it. The broad gate is the easy way. It is the path that most are on. It is the one that leads to destruction. The path of most Christians cannot be the path that only a few find. We see in Revelation 14:12:
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Elohim, and the faith of Yahushua.
They not only have the testimony of Yahushua, but they ALSO keep the commandments of YHWH (Sabbath, Feast days, Clean Food laws, etc.). And again in Revelation 22:14:
Rev 22:14,15 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The lie is also the Mystery of Iniquity, which is now being exposed. Most will not accept this message because they do not have a love for the truth. Therefore, YHWH will send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:10-11). He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that all repent of their evil ways. (Eze. 33:12)
Won't you turn to Him today and begin to obey and be a doer of the word and not just a hearer? His are the words of eternal life.
Shalom,
Brick Parrish
5/13/2005
