2nd Thessalonians 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.” KJV As much as we want to understand what that mystery is, we are even more puzzled by the rest of that verse, “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” Who can that be?
The first twelve verses of this chapter give details about what will happen in the end times. Verse three says, “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;” That man of sin, the son of perdition, is the antichrist. So there is going to be a “great falling away” first. This is what the mystery of iniquity must be. Talking about that, Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” KJV
Looks like there is going to be real trouble. We think it’s bad now. What will happen when even the believers begin to give up? We want to be among those who endure to the end, who keep the faith, who don’t turn away from God. And we count on His grace and protection. So who is this “he who now letteth?” Other translations say “restraining,” “withholding,” “preventing.” And that this person will be removed from the scene so that the antichrist will be revealed.
I don’t say I have the answer. There are many commentaries available that make suggestions. The foot notes in your bible may also. The truth is, no one has come up with an adequate explanation of who or what it might be. Is it the Holy Spirit? Is He keeping this revelation from coming to pass? And will He be the One Who is removed so the antichrist can arise?
That’s kind of the way I look at it. People who believe in the “rapture,” the catching away of the Church, believe that when the Church is removed from the earth, the Holy Spirit will go with them and no longer function in the earth. But in First Corinthians 12:3b, St. Paul says, “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” KJV We believe that people will be saved during the tribulation, so the Holy Spirit cannot be totally absent.
So the mystery, the secret knowledge of iniquity is, it is going to get so bad, that people will accept a person as a leader and actually a miracle worker equal to Jesus Himself. Is he equal? Certainly not. But there will be enough people fooled by him, even Christians, who will submit to his rule. That is utterly terrifying to me. The only way to be safe is to stay so close to Jesus and His WORD that we will know the truth and see this person for what he is.
Thank God He sent plenty of prophecy throughout the New Testament to teach us what to look out for. Thank God for anointed teachers and preachers who hear from the Holy Spirit and stand up for righteousness. Thank You, Almighty God, that You are not some far away, unknowable God that keeps us guessing. Thank You for the vision and wisdom that is always available to us from Your WORD! Amen.
Restoration Ministries 