I am about to start the book called The Mystery of Iniquity by Michael Rood. It is recommended by a friend. I, being the Infojunkie, had to do some research on the author first. He seems to be a controversial character in Christian circles. But I subscribe to the advice of testing everything and holding onto that which is truth and throw the rest away. :o)
So first I consider the word - iniquity. What does it mean? My dictionary says:
1. a very great injustice; wickedness
2. a wicked or unjust act
The Strong's Concordance says (Greek word #458) - anomia = transgression of the law, unrighteousness.
So I am going to be reading about the mystery of transgressing the law? Okay... time to start reading.
NOTES WHILE READING:
- the phrase "mystery on iniquity" is used in 2 Thessalonians 2:7.... what does this verse say?
The KJV says - For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
The MESSAGE says - 6-8You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don't worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.
The NIV says (within conext) - 1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
I just finished chapter one. I can see I should not read this when I am tired. He is quite wordy. But he is introduced the purpose of his book. He is laying out that we are in the end times. He speaks of the war in heaven (Revelation 12:7..). He tells that Satan holds the deed to earth, he is the ruler of the earth. In Revelation it speaks of Jesus will get the deed back, but during the legal process, there will be death and destruction here on earth.
So the secret (mystery) of lawlessness (iniquity) is already work. Satan's legal authority is god of this age.
Revelation 12 is quoted quite a bit in the last part of this chapter.
Tomorrow chapter 2.
Friday, August 20, 2010
WHAT DEFINES YOU AS A CHRISTIAN?
A email devotional today asked - what defines you as a Christian? You can read it here: http://www.thehighcalling.org/Library/ViewLibrary.asp?LibraryID=5681&DID=2897&T=H&SID=15305
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
How do you define yourself as a Christian?
I am not part of any denomination nor do I follow any leader (man), so I cannot use that as part of my definition. I hope that my life, my actions reflect that I am a follower of Christ. One of my favorite sayings has always been "go out into the world and preach the gospel, use words if you have to."
How important to you are denominational labels?
They are not important to me at all. I see them as a hindrance in the Christian culture. They allow us to put up fences and stay behind them and not reach out as much and they also keep some people from trying to get in, or not want to be a part of a Christian community. My wish would be a Christian family with no denominations, no labels, no fences. My wish would be to be known like in the NT times... the church in Sundre, the church in Calgary or wherever your physical location was.
Have you ever identified so thoroughly with some Christian leader that it threatened your relationship with other believers?
Never with a leader but for a while I identified so strongly with a movement or a concept that I think I turned people away. That of course was not my purpose, but I so believed in what I was learning that I was probably pretty obnoxious to those who did not agree with my new found way. I was childlike, but now I have grown up in my spiritual walk a bit more, so hopefully I no longer like this. :o)
How can we be unified in Christ when we who have put our faith in him nevertheless differ theologically?
That is the million dollar question, isn't it. I think part of the problem is that we as humans relate first to our denomination/leader then to Christ. Christ needs to be first always. People will often say they are Lutheran, or Catholic or Baptist before they say they are Christian, and probably because it goes without saying that if we are one of these labels we are obviously also a Christian. But this way of labeling ourselves plays havoc with how we can relate to another brother or sister in Christ. Like I said above, it immediately puts up a fence, draws a line in the sand. I don't know how to conquer it on a global level, but as an individual.... I am a sister in Christ, period. No labels. Maybe it will catch on. :o)
Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” [1 Corinthians 1:12]
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
How do you define yourself as a Christian?
I am not part of any denomination nor do I follow any leader (man), so I cannot use that as part of my definition. I hope that my life, my actions reflect that I am a follower of Christ. One of my favorite sayings has always been "go out into the world and preach the gospel, use words if you have to."
How important to you are denominational labels?
They are not important to me at all. I see them as a hindrance in the Christian culture. They allow us to put up fences and stay behind them and not reach out as much and they also keep some people from trying to get in, or not want to be a part of a Christian community. My wish would be a Christian family with no denominations, no labels, no fences. My wish would be to be known like in the NT times... the church in Sundre, the church in Calgary or wherever your physical location was.
Have you ever identified so thoroughly with some Christian leader that it threatened your relationship with other believers?
Never with a leader but for a while I identified so strongly with a movement or a concept that I think I turned people away. That of course was not my purpose, but I so believed in what I was learning that I was probably pretty obnoxious to those who did not agree with my new found way. I was childlike, but now I have grown up in my spiritual walk a bit more, so hopefully I no longer like this. :o)
How can we be unified in Christ when we who have put our faith in him nevertheless differ theologically?
That is the million dollar question, isn't it. I think part of the problem is that we as humans relate first to our denomination/leader then to Christ. Christ needs to be first always. People will often say they are Lutheran, or Catholic or Baptist before they say they are Christian, and probably because it goes without saying that if we are one of these labels we are obviously also a Christian. But this way of labeling ourselves plays havoc with how we can relate to another brother or sister in Christ. Like I said above, it immediately puts up a fence, draws a line in the sand. I don't know how to conquer it on a global level, but as an individual.... I am a sister in Christ, period. No labels. Maybe it will catch on. :o)
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