The mystery of iniquity; that ambitious, proud, covetous, and domineering spirit, which the popes afterwards exhibited in assuming to be lords temporal and spiritual.

He who now letteth; the Roman government, which, while it lasted, prevented the rise of the papal civil government.

Until he be taken out of the way; the Roman government would continue, as long as it should last, to prevent the establishment at Rome of the papal government.

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Old Testament