RCCG YAYA SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MANUAL 20 NOVEMBER 2022

LESSON TWELVE (12)
TOPIC: THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY

MEMORY VERSE: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV).

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

[1]Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

[2]That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

[3]Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

[4]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.

[5]Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

[6]And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

[7]For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

[8]And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

[9]Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

[10]And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

[11]And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

[12]That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

INTRODUCTION: Mystery simply means something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained. It takes its root from the Latin word ‘Mysterium’ and from the ancient Greek word ‘Musterion’ meaning a secret or secret rite. Iniquity from its root word ‘anomia’ (in Greek) means illegality, i.e. violation of law or wickedness: transgression of the law, unrighteousness, or lawlessness. Therefore, the mystery of iniquity is a system of lawlessness for which believers are warned and should watch out for.

LESSON OUTLINE
1. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY EXPLAINED
2. BELIEVERS MUST BE ON THE WATCH

1. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY EXPLAINED
The mystery of iniquity is the working of lawlessness in the world, leading to a worldwide rebellion against God (Matt.24:12; 2Tim.3:1-4). It is all about controlling people, systems, finance, etc. (Gen.11:4). It is an interwoven series of complex systems that have slipped into politics, entertainment, sports, education, religion, media, etc. (Rom.1:21-22). It is also revealed through the spirit of seduction and doctrines of the devils (2Tim. 3:13; 1Tim. 4:1). It showcases sinful behaviour and diabolic practices in human beings (Acts 8:22-23; Matt. 23:28).

Iniquity relates more to the inner character (Mk.7:21-23) and points to an intentional desire to twist God’s holy standard (Jude 4). It drives human beings to twist God’s word (Tit 1:11). It will one day culminate in the appearance of the Antichrist, whose spirit is already at work in the world but is being restrained for now so that the world is not as evil as it could be (2Thess. 2:7-8; 1 John.4:3).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should mention any sector where the mystery of iniquity is already at work and how?

2. BELIEVERS MUST BE ON THE WATCH
With the spirit of lawlessness everywhere in the world, believers must:
1. Search, rend and guard their hearts diligently and always (Joel 2:13; Prov.4:23).

2. Confess any known sin (1Jn.1:9) and repent to receive forgiveness from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

3. Not conform to this world system (Rom.12:2) and be diligent to keep God’s commandment (Deut.11:22).

4. Watch and pray (Matt. 26:41) and ask for a new heart (Ps.51:10).

5. Put on the new man (Col.3:10) and be constantly renewed by the Holy Ghost (Tit.3:5).

6. Depart from iniquity (2Tim. 2:19) and remove the old yeast of sin (1Cor.5:7).

7. Purge themselves (2Tim.2:21) and let their garments be spotless (Eccl.9:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: The class should mention how they resisted a particular temptation recently.

CONCLUSION: Believers must know that the spirit of lawlessness is already operating in the world presently and they must ensure that they keep the profession of their faith to the end.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is the mystery of iniquity?
2. Mention four things believers can do to be on the watch.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five aspects of the world system capable of luring you into being a perpetual sinner e.g. Clubbing etc. (2×5=10 marks).