The Word of God is filled with mysteries, not in order to keep us in the dark, but to give us something to search out. This to me is why the Bible is my favorite book to read, for the author is alive and speaking, every time we read it. Bill Johnson is quoted as saying, “I read my bible until God speaks, then I stop and listen to what He has to say.” This is the most practical, helpful advice we can be given as believers, for we have a God that speaks and He loves to share with us mysteries.
What is a mystery? Dictionary.com says, a mystery is something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain; some synonyms are a puzzle, enigma, conundrum, riddle, secret. This is our working definition of mystery and when I asked my bible study group to define mystery, this is what they said as well. However, in the Greek, the word mystery means something that is not revealed here and actually holds a piece of the puzzle that unlocks the whole puzzle as it pertains to what Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 calls the mystery of lawlessness.
Mystery in the Greek means to shut the mouth, silence imposed by initiation into religious rites, not obvious to the understanding, hidden purpose or counsel (Strong’s Dictionary). This definition of mystery gives us insight into what is happening in our world today. But to unlock it with great clarity, let’s define lawlessness according to Strong’s Dictionary. Lawlessness means, illegality, violations of law, wickedness, iniquity, unrighteousness, transgression of law. Therefore, based on these two definitions, the mystery of lawlessness is the illegal transgression of the law which silences people and they do not have a clear understanding of why they have been silenced or said another way, lawlessness silences the voice of righteousness.
Now do you understand why the Church is silent in the world today? Why the righteous voices are not being heard? Does this clarify for you, what has silenced the Pastors and Leaders and Lovers of God on earth and in the places of worship we call church? Lawlessness, which 1 John 4:3 says, was at work in the world when Jesus walked the earth and it is still at work today. Because those who are to be righteous (law abiding, both biblically and nationally) have entered into lawlessness, we have been silenced, for lawlessness silences the voices of righteousness.
Once the body of Christ repents of its lawlessness (2 Chronicles 7:14) and takes a stand for righteousness, among ourselves, in our churches, pulpits, conferences and denominations, then we will have a voice again in the earth. Once this return to righteousness happens, then we will hear a roar of righteousness that will rend the veil of deception. But right now, the body of Christ is living in 1 Kings 18:21, which says, “Elijah came near to all the people (of God) and said, how long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people did not answer him a word” (NKJV). The remnant has chosen righteousness, the world has chosen wickedness, but the majority of the body of Christ is not saying a word, for they have been silenced by lawlessness.
Proverbs 25:12 says, “It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them” (NLT). The mystery of lawlessness is that lawlessness silences the voices of righteousness. However, to break out of that silence, we must choose righteousness, no matter what the law of the land may say about marriage; what your friends may say about wickedness; nor what your Pastors and leaders may say about political correctness. Proverbs 28:1 says, the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (NIV). If you want your voice back, you must repent of lawlessness and choose to live in righteousness.
Lisa Great 