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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 Phil. 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 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", 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, showing himself
that he is God" (II Thess. 2: 3, 4).
The Devil sinneth from the beginning.
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 Ezek. 28:, and I think you will agree that they are not
applicable to any human being.
A.--That is so. I noticed he was created perfect, but that he fell.
B.--Yes, and as a result he was cast out from the mountain of God, and the judgment
pronounced was:--