THE WILL OF GOD,

AND THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL

B. -- You can now appreciate the distinction I suggest that exists between the original will made without regard to

sin and death, and the mystery of His will which meets that dark period of bondage by the gift of the

Kinsman-Redeemer. Those who put sin, death, and redemption into the original will of the Father are driven to the

terrible conclusion you quoted just now.

A. -- All this is very interesting, but how does it bear upon the reconciliation of all things?

B. -- Running through the ages, Scripture indicates two distinct mysteries. They are true parallel lines that never

meet. The one is called:

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS,

and the other,

THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY.

The one is `of God', and the other is `of the wicked one'. The one is manifested in Christ, the other in Antichrist.

They have many features in common which will help you to see that the one is an awful counterfeit of the other. It

is the work of `the enemy' who sowed `tares' in the field. The mystery of iniquity is expressed in the claim:

`I WILL ascend into heaven,

I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God:

I WILL sit also upon the mount of the congregation --

I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I WILL be like the most High' (Isa. 14:13,14).

The mystery of godliness finds its expression in the words of Philippians 2:5-9:

` -- Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself

of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant -- Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and

given Him a (the) name which is above every name'.

You can hear the echo of the mystery of iniquity in the garden of Eden, `Ye shall be as God (Hebrew, Elohim)',

and again at its consummation:

` -- the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so

that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God' (2 Thess. 2:3,4).

Away back before the age-times there was one who answered to the following description:

(1).

Full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

(2).

Had been in Eden the garden of God.

(3).

Covered with precious stones.

(4).

Was the anointed cherub.

(5).

Was upon the holy mountain of God.

(6).

Walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

(7).

Perfect at his creation.

These words are taken from Ezekiel 28, and I think you will agree that they are not applicable to any human

A. -- That is so. I notice he was created perfect, but that he fell.