who is the man of lawlessness in 2 thessalonians quizlet
They are already in our presence as the mystery of iniquity is already at work and they are to be revealed by the Word of Truth which they will oppose in this coming time when they hear it . Paul used that truth to encourage them. When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs and timing of his second coming, Jesus responded that false messiahs and prophets would precede his return, as would tribulation against the church (Matt. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Haven't there been men in every generation who have done that? ", 14 "This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus have the reading "man of lawlessness" and Bruce M. The man of sin ( Greek: , ho anthrpos ts hamartias) or man of lawlessness, ( , anomias) is a figure referred to in the Christian Bible in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. How do you interpret these lines? -son of destruction -one who exalts himself -sits as God had paul told the thessalonians of these things before? In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, the "man of sin" is described as one who will be revealed before the Day of the Lord comes. Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel) said 1981. Some people say "No, this means that Christ will return really. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reminded them that all Christians would be gathered together (even the dead would rise) to be with Jesus when He returns. or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? They will not have brotherly love and will forbid others from receiving them as well and will cast out of the church those who will receive them. parousia), so also Jesus comes (2 Thess. 3:5). Second, before Paul writes 2 Thessalonians, events have already presaged Roman imperial opposition to Jewish worship of God. (Ephesians 5). 2 Thess. So it's a great mercy that God restrains the power of this man of lawlessness. From the sky shall come a great King of terror, David Berg (!) 15:19; 2 Cor. Now let's move to some more famous predictions. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. The Antichrist One of the key themes through 2 Thessalonians is that believers should __________ __________ in their faith. But it should not surprise us. The term for object of worship (Gk. With that background, we can briefly list various specific interpretations that have been suggested over the years concerning this man of lawlessness. 1. He will come with signs, wonders, and. 2:910). To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. He is author of, The Rebellion Must Come Before Christ Returns: 2 Thessalonians 2:35, Part 2, The Man of Lawlessness Sits in the Temple: 2 Thessalonians 2:35, Part 4. Why, because many people want to be deceived. Those miracles are going to fool a lot of people. But even that will be a mercy because people will still have the chance to realize their foolishness and return to God. Satan doesn't know when Jesus will return; he's just constantly pushing against God's restraints (that Paul will talk about). Maybe one of these will be a fun opening topic for you. They will exalt themselves in the churches of men and will do evil things against those brothers sent to speak the Lord's words of life and spirit. Only when he who now restrains it is removed will the lawless one arise (2:7). Paul draws on this tradition as he discusses the man of lawlessness, who is the son of destruction in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and the lawless one in 2 Thess. I had always assumed that an angel served this role, but the first pronoun Paul uses is neuter ("what") which leads many scholars to believe that the Holy Spirit restrains Satan. The children of the devil will be manifested that they are not of Godshowing that they know not the Father nor the Son. Paul says that God has dealt with every generation in this way: The Bible Project video tapped into this idea: non-Christians want a life without God, and so God lets them live their life their way (with all of the consequences that come with it). .as He said these very words to the disciples in John 16. This week's is particularly unhelpful. 2 Pet. Our friends at Wikipedia compiled a list of some 200 predictions of the end of the world. 2 Thessalonians 2 . love of the truth, that they might be saved. But lawlessness -- rejecting God's law -- has existed since Adam and Eve. 2:13). 3 gLet no one deceive you in any way. Sinbad did not star in "Shazaam" in the 1990s. apokalypt; also 2 Thess. Then why did you listen to those false messengers/prophets? predicted one in 1969. Did you notice any of those events? If predictions aren't your thing, perhaps you might like to start your discussion by listing some "facts" that turn out not to be true. But remember that Paul is writing this letter smack dab in the middle of that generation before the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus as a killer According to the lecture, 2 Thessalonians is the only document in the Pauline corpus to refer to (or depict) three things. Although Paul prophetically anticipates the rise of a particular figure who will embody deceptive opposition to God, he admits readily that the same forces of deception and lawlessness are already prevalent in society. 4 The "Man of Lawlessness" is the Future Satanic Zionist Jewish Messiah. Similar objections could be made against any of the subsequent religious shrines built atop the Jerusalem Temple Mount, whether the Hadrianic Temple of Jupiter (built around AD 135) or the current Dome of the Rock (built around 691). What was that? Comparisons with other passages in Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation reveal this man to be none other than the Antichrist. They will follow the pattern of Diotrephes who also loved to have the preeminence (love to be first) among men and did not receive the brothers sent to speak His words. You look at a Bible text on the screen. But those of God will not sin. Satan can enable the man of lawlessness to do all of that and more. hat's why Paul takes "The Armor of God" so seriously; that armor is a tool God gives Christians to have the. Now imagine the power of Satan behind those magicians. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. It's, Discussion question: the world seems to be getting more and more "lawless". The same thing will happen again. I've certainly wondered about both things. We've done "fake news" recently, so I wanted to try something different. What are they? If so, then many contend this would require a future rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple prior to the advent of the lawless one. What Does It Mean that Women Are to Submit to Their Husbands? The Thessalonians (and all Christians) need not worry about the approaching time of lawlessness, for Jesus remains Lord, and he will conquer in due time. Does biblical prophecy really predict the future. And the man of lawlessness will emerge from the "human sea of lawlessness" to oppose God and deceive the nations. Can we trust biblical prophecy? What is the and who is the at 2 Thess 2:6-7? The man of lawlessness (let's call him the capital-A Antichrist) will be able to perform mighty signs and miracles, and many people will be deceived into thinking that, I recommend waiting to talk in depth about the man of lawlessness, How many times have you said that you one of your children, Aside: Matthew 24 and Jesus' Message about the Day of the Lord, There will be no mistaking when Jesus returns. In the second example, Sidney capitalizes moon, ordinarily an uncapitalized common noun, because he is addressing the moon as if it were a person. Stay connected to God in Word and Spirit (Bible study and prayer), and we won't be deceived. As we said last week, they didn't have the tools that we have to detect "fake news". Therefore his readers should continue their work (2 Thess. 2:910). Therefore, we must always be ready for the end. And Koresh wasn't even the fully-empowered Antichrist! 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (AMP): Then the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by the appearance of His coming. Satan plays a role on earth that God allows him to play. And He will give rest of the godly whom He shall find in the body in this world, [and the sun wil be ashamed]: It's hard work. 2:1), and Satans activity uses a term often employed for Gods work (energeia; cf. (2 Thess. When people get such a prophecy wrong, why do others keep listening to them? 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5, Part 4. This commentator anticipates a yet-future appearing of a human lawless one, whose manifestation amid false signs and prophecies will precede Jesus return and final judgment. Paul here draws on OT Danielic imagery concerning a ruler opposed to God and his people (cf. They will be many acting as one in their evil deeds in this coming time. Some people though Paul said that Jesus had already come back ("I heard it from a friend who"), but Paul hadn't said that. Antichrist, Man of Lawlessness, Beast of Revelation 13. It was only in the 1600's, in an attempt to divert attention away from the Papacy, that Francisco Ribera wrote a commentary on Revelation that pointed to a future Antichrist. At 2 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul wrote, regarding his day, about "the thing that acts as a restraint" on the lawless one. Biblical narrative [ edit] This antichrist is described in Daniel 7:8, 21-27 and Revelation 13. The following are the words of Jesus found in 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Thessalonians 2: Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I The verbs Paul applies here to lawlessness is the same as language he uses elsewhere of God and Christ. Those events point to a more-and-more eminent return of Christ. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. I know that some of you have many questions, so I'll try to answer them here. Or students? 4. The coming (Gk. Who knew that Christopher Columbus wrote a Book of Prophecies? My code is GPL licensed, can I issue a license to have my code be distributed in a specific MIT licensed project? Um, no. they will not return evil for their evil. Their understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2 was that the Roman Empire was "that which was restrains" the revealing of the man of lawlessness. Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the 2 Thessalonians 2:310. Some have suggested that this refers to a nation-state (rather than to a particular individual), with the Roman Empire being the most likely candidate; however, the imagery itself repeatedly points to an individual rather than an entire state. Similarly, if in 2 Thess. 3 Dont let anyone deceive you in any way. I really can't. We will talk about this more in verses 9-11. What they. I really can't. Paul used that truth to, But that leaves a big window for deception "in between". And these things I said not Can you imagine someone with the power of Satan prowling about the earth? Some have suggested that this lawless one must refer to Satan himself or to one of his demons, but Satan is mentioned later as a separate figure (2 Thess. This could be metaphorical for a group of people, but it seems likely Paul has a single individual in mind. tobin james the blend 2017 ; real estate marketing solutions; who is the man of lawlessness in 2 thessalonians quizlet; lassi kefalonia shops who is the man of lawlessness in 2 thessalonians quizlet What Did Jesus Say about the End of the World? He is the antichrist (1 John 2:18; 4:3) who is under the control of the devil. prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, The Man of Lawlessness -- Paul's Reminder in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 In scolding his readers for falling for an obviously fake letter that Jesus had already returned, Paul focuses on the "sign" of the man of lawlessness, an enemy of Christ who will deceive many at the Second Coming. with you, I told you these things? And after (one thousand) three hundred and thirty-two days the Lord will come with his angels and with the armies of the holy ones from the seventh heaven with the glory of the seventh heaven, and He will drag Beliar into Gehenna and also his armies. 29:19; Jer. At least, he never mentioned it. 2:6 he who "now" restrains him will do so until he is out of the way. That's what Jesus says in the very next verse, 24:34: This is where the confusion lies. You listen to John Piper. comment on 2 Thess. In any case, the OT messianic resonances are clear: the Messiahs judgment prevails against all lawlessness. 7. and in thy name done many wonderful works? And (we pray!) Remember when Moses performed God's wonders in Egypt and the magicians were able to replicate-ish those miracles? And they will sacrifice to him and they will serve him saying: "This is God and beside him there is no other." What beliefs have you held that turned out to be false? Why, 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. Paul talked about it with them when he was in Thessalonica, and they asked him questions about it via courier. and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of So Paul explained to them that this future time of tribulation had not yet come because a certain "man of lawlessness" had not yet been revealed ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ). This is particularly difficult, and one of the most avid debates among modern commentators concerns the question of who or what is restraining the lawless ones appearance. ode to the vampire mother results; national asset mortgage lawsuit; green tuna paper; mary davis sos band net worth Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. A variation of this topic is The Mandela Effect -- people believing that something happened that never happened: There is no painting of Henry VIII eating a turkey leg. Let me say that the point of the books -- that spiritual warfare is real and that Christians need to pray -- is great. One, that doesn't match the grammar. ], [You might remember the Peretti books. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. In Daniel it is this king who sets up the abomination that makes desolate in Jerusalem (Dan. Doesn't he. Paul almost certainly knows this history, and it may well be in his mind as he writes. There is a reverse of this: "If Jesus doesn't come back until after the man of lawlessness, doesn't that mean that Jesus can't come back "at any moment"?". The Thessalonians need not worry that they may be numbered among those who will be deceived by the man of lawlessness, since they already know and love the truth. Both Jesus and Paul warn us about this. that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? Name the three main themes of 2 Thessalonians. What concerns you in particular? He is usually equated with the Antichrist in Christian eschatology . Anyone who claims the Jesus has already returned is lying. the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing Raising the dead? You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. comments on 1 Thess. The online RSVCE identifies him as the Antichrist, but The Navarre Bible New Testament Compact Edition note on 2 Thess 2:1-12 has in part: We do not know what the Apostle means by the "man of lawlessness" - maybe all the forces of evil taken together as a tool at the service of Satan, although the description of this adversary of God is very like that of the "Antichrist" of St. John. You look at a Bible text on the screen. It would be excellent if you could reference or even paste in some quotes from the church fathers showing that they held the Papacy to be the man of lawlessness. sebasma) refers to pagan idols (cf. Show footnotes. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first . This cannot apply to the Roman Catholic Church, with its massive hierarchy and its popes. Well, the signs and wonders that Jesus and His apostles performed drew people to God. In the healthiest churches, we find a holy conspiracy between pastors who gladly care for the sheep, and sheep who do what they can so that the pastors might serve joyfully. Interpreters have considered multiple options for this restrainer. Many suggest that God himself restrains such evil, perhaps especially in the person of the Holy Spirit. 1 thessalonians The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Create your discussion outline based on the passage. That's the main point. But Paul tells them that they, I rarely like Lifeway's outline titles. That was my main point with the "False Predictions of the Apocalypse" section above. being deceived by false signs performed by the Man of Lawlessness. That power is considerable, especially when directed at us foolish and easily-deceived mortals. 2:5), but we are left to infer as much as we can to the best of our abilities. The extent of our "power" over Satan is to resist him. Clearly the lawlessness of Satan seeks to mimic the good work of God in Christ. (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from In other words, the church has a direct impact on God's ability to defeat Satan. First, let's look at how Paul describes the man of lawlessness in verse 4: a man who opposes God and proclaims himself to be God. 2:45; 1 Thess. This lesson examines the various theories put forth to explain the identity of the "Man of Lawlessness" Paul refers to in this epistle. 2 Thess. 17. All the Antichrist will do is harness the lawlessness and rebellion already in the hearts of the ungodly. They should have been able to see through the fake letter. ", The line is not "Luke, I am your father.". The signs and wonders of the antichrist will draw people to him. (3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not Apparently, Paul explained this restraint to the people, and he expects them to remember. ", 44 "This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.". And many believers and saints having seen Him for whom they were hoping, who was crucified, Jesus the Lord Christ, [after that I, Isaiah, had seen Him who was crucified and ascended] and those also who were believers in Him - of these few in those days will be left as His servants, while they flee from desert to desert, awaiting the coming of the Beloved. Giving sight to the blind? Don't These Signs Help Us Predict the Second Coming? These evil deeds will be claimed to be in His (Gods) name or authority. In this week's lesson, we cover Paul's scolding -- describing the things that the people had already been told and should have remembered. Were on a mission to change that. He presents research and lectures worldwide. (What is this sex-change craze except a declaration that God has no say over someone?) People will grasp at anything if it will allow them to reject the God of the Bible, no matter how questionable the "science" behind it might be. 88:23 LXX [English 89:22]). 1 2 Thessalonians Ch 2:1-12 - Text. Who is the "man of lawlessness" in 2 Thess 2? 2 Thess. and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9) Even him, An intriguing recent monograph argues that Paul believed the restrainer to be an angel of God, noting that, in Daniel, the lawless ruler who establishes the abomination of desolation (Dan. A Form W-2 is given to an employee to report their income and payroll taxes withheld. 1:54; 6:7). As we've said multiple times in Thessalonians, we're not supposed to put any energy into predicting the future. 2:1112). 2 Thess 2:1-2 - what is the timing relationship between the rapture and the day of the Lord? will of my Father which is in heaven. Who is the "man of lawlessness" in 2 Thessalonians? Can airtags be tracked from an iMac desktop, with no iPhone? They will cast out any who will not follow after them (in your name we have cast out devils). Scofield and led to a futuristic understanding of end time events. No chance. - Steve Ballmer, 2007, "Stocks are now in the midst of a one-time-only rise to much higher groundto the neighborhood of 36,000 on the Dow Jones. - James Glassman, 1999, There is no danger that Titanic will sink. By the time the first apostles die, all of the "signs" will have taken place. In 1:7, Jesus will be revealed in a display of power and glory; in 2:9, the . You watch his pen "draw out" meaning. It's not a mystery. or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, Deu 13:18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. God has to enable the delusion for people to reject Him. Only in hindsight will we understand the full intent of the prophetic word. The first set constitutes all power, along with false signs and wonders; the second set consists of all wicked deception. Concerning the first set, power and signs and wonders often serve as evidence of Gods work in the gospel of Christ (for power, cf. Some people say "No, this means that Christ will return really, really soon, and that's a predictor." All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. (12) Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth After it is consummated, Beliar the great ruler, the king of this world, will descend, who hath ruled it since it came into being; yea, he will descent from his firmament in the likeness of a man, a lawless king, the slayer of his mother: who himself (even) this king. Yet others would suggest a more metaphorical understanding of the lawless ones session in the temple. 22-28 apply both to this example and the entire age), 24:29-31 Signs of the end (as a parenthetical aside), When these things (vv. As we said last week, they didn't have the tools that we have to detect "fake news". Paul draws on Jesus eschatological instruction by similarly applying this Danielic imagery to events yet to occur. 51 AD So, when Paul says that this man of lawlessness will be able to perform every kind of miracle, I think he's serious. Empowered by Satan, the lawless one will arrive accompanied by false wonders and signs, thus deceiving unbelievers; but even this is under Gods sovereign control (2 Thess. (Incidentally, there was an Amazon show called Good Omens that took an extremely sacrilegious slant on this exact scenario.). ", 23 If anyone tells you then, See, here is the Messiah! or, Over here! do not believe it. of God. 24:45, 1113, 2325). CHAPTER 4 Many have looked to a future, yet unknown, person who will seek to exalt himself in this way. The righteous will not be destroyed with the wicked. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. There are probably "men of lawlessness" on the earth right now that Satan could pick from the moment his restraints are loosened. comment on 2 Thess. But God doesn't allow Satan to "empower" a currently existing man of lawlessness; God has a restraint on Satan. The man of lawlessness both opposes and exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship. Paul elsewhere employs the Greek word for opposes as a title for Satan, the adversary (1 Tim. 37 related questions found. This is possible, though such postulations often require a metaphorical expansion of he who now restrains to indicate an entire nation or a series of emperors rather than a single individual. Although Paul and his colleagues were compelled to leave Thessalonica sooner than they wished (Acts 17:10), they were able to begin instructing the Thessalonians concerning the events of Jesus return. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. No? Note the following examples from Spenser's Sonnet 111 and Sidney's Sonnet 313131. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in Gods temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. What they really think they want is a world without God. Many of them recycle the same entries, and here are some of the favorites: "There's no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home" - Ken Olson, 1977, "Television won't last because people will get tired of staring at a plywood box every night" - Darryl Zanuck, 1946 (technically right? 26 So if they tell you, See, hes in the wilderness! dont go out; or, See, hes in the storerooms! do not believe it. 2:34), which will occur subsequent (then) to the restrainers ceasing his action of holding back such evil. Second, let's discuss the timeline. Who in the Judaism of Jesus day, having studied OT prophecy thoroughly, would have predicted that the Messiah would be God incarnate? They will prate against them with malicious words (killing them with false accusations.labeling them as devils, evildoers, etc)and will not receive the brothers who are sent by Him. The man of sin will not cease speaking evil against those who will be sent to their churches. False The Thessalonians had no idea what was "restraining" the "man of sin" from being revealed? They will do these things supposedly in His name or authority. He later revised that to 2007. Bible: Quiz 8.29.4 Week Twenty-Nine Notes, Bible:8.28.5 - Week Twenty-Eight Bible Readin, Byron Almen, Dorothy Payne, Stefan Kostka, Eric Hinderaker, James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Robert O. Self. Deu 13:16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again. According to Walvoord, the man of lawlessness revealed here is "the key to the whole program of the Day of the Lord." Of 2 Thessalonians 2 Chafer notes: "though but one passage is found bearing upon the restraining work of the Holy Spirit, the scope of the issues involved is such as to command the utmost consideration." Jesus teaching has set the pattern for apostolic discussions of eschatology. Paul is talking about the second of the three purposes of this letter: misunderstandings about the Day of the Lord. 2:9). 13:1118; 16:1314; 19:1920). Kant's Moral Theory. In fact, I take Matthew 24:24 (which I cited above) to mean that. Why are physically impossible and logically impossible concepts considered separate in terms of probability? Satan and Satan's demons only have the power that God has allowed. This role includes tempting, deceiving, and ruining. ", To me, the best passage to read side-by-side with this one is Matthew 24, where Jesus talks about this exact subject. That is because Christian tradition from the ealiest times associates this person with the idea of "antichrist." Paul points out that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Paul and Jesus give us two protections from deception here: Anyone who claims they can predict when Jesus will return is lying. 2 Thess. Direct Address : With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies! 2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reminded them that all Christians would be gathered together (even the dead would rise) to be with Jesus when He returns. The man of lawlessness cannot be Satan, for he is distinguished from the devil in verse 9. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. Paul encourages believers to be diligent in ministering to others because Jesus hasn't returned yet. "Nina" was actually the "Santa Clara" and we don't know about the "Pinta". Of the Twelve one will be delivered into his hands. In the Bible we see the man of lawlessness called the "son of perdition." They will be revealed that they do not know God nor the Son by their evil deeds. Other prophets also speak of rulers calling themselves god (e.g., Isa. | Track1099. Witches weren't burned at the stake in Salem. Things are bad enough as it is. 3:1617; 6:19; 2 Cor. Acts 17:23). First, Daniels prophetic imagery points to Antiochus IV of Seleucia, who styled himself Epiphanes (god manifest), invaded Jerusalem, despoiled the temple, commanded the burning of the Scriptures, forbade the covenant rite of circumcision, put to death many faithful Jews, and ultimately instituted pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple (167 BC). I want to stay very closely connected to the truth so that I will not be deceived, or worse, allow others to be deceived. 3 "Man of Lawlessness" also called the "Son of Destruction" sets up the "Abomination of Desolation" starting the Great Tribulation! And two, that doesn't match theology. [It was either this or "the man of lawlessness" (don't worry - I'll talk about him later).]. mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. Don't predict the end of the world to happen in your lifetime.