Falling Away Or Rapture?
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2 Thessalonians 2:3-Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
When Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, he warned our brothers and sisters about a “falling away” from God’s Word that would one day take place as people rejected and rebelled against Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Or did he?
Some claim that in this passage, Paul is telling us about the rapture, a teaching which claims that Jesus will come back quietly for the church and take them to Heaven for seven years while life continues on Earth.
So how about it?
Falling away or rapture?
First, the phrase translated here as “falling away” in our passage is the Greek word apostasia, from which we get our English word “apostasy.” It is used only one other time in the New Testament:
Acts 21:21-but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
Here, Paul is being informed that Jewish people are being told that he has turned against the Law of Moses. Notice that the word apostasia implies clearly the idea of a rejection of God’s Word.
The verb form of apostasia is also used in the New Testament:
Luke 8:13-But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away (aphistēmi)
1 Timothy 4:1-Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart (aphistēmi) from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
Hebrews 3:12-Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing (aphistēmi) from the living God;
In all of these usages of the verb form, apostasia is shown to be a turning away from God and rejection of His Word.
Furthermore, apostasia is used several times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament as well. We get a more clear picture of the meaning of this word by studying its usage in these texts:
Joshua 22:22-The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knows, and let Israel itself know—if it is in rebellion (apostasia), or if in treachery against the LORD, do not save us this day.
2 Chronicles 29:19-Moreover all the articles which King Ahaz in his reign had cast aside (apostasia) in his transgression we have prepared and sanctified; and there they are, before the altar of the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 33:19-Also his prayer and how God received his entreaty, and all his sin and trespass (apostasia) , and the sites where he built high places and set up wooden images and carved images, before he was humbled, indeed they are written among the sayings of Hozai.
Jeremiah 2:19-Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings (apostasia) will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the LORD your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord GOD of hosts.
In other books outside of the Bible, apostasia was also used in the sense of rebelling against God:
1 Maccabees 2:15-And they that were sent from king Antiochus, came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart (apostasia) from the law of God.
In all of these instances, the idea of “falling away” is clear and evident. There is no rapture in view, but rather a rebellion against or forsaking of the Lord, His Word, and the established order of things.
Second, the early versions (translations of the Greek New Testament into other ancient languages) show that apostasia was understood to mean a departure from God’s Word. For example:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (Syriac)-2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way; because [that day will not come], unless there previously come a defection, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (Latin)-Letno man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a revolt (Latin: seduco-lead away, lead apart; lead astray, seduce;) first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
Clearly, the ancient versions favor apostasia being an apostasy from God’s Word.
Third, this passage is not talking about the rapture because the rapture is a man-made doctrine that was only just created in the last century.
“John Nelson Darby (18 November 1800–29 April 1882) was an Anglo-Irish Bible teacher, one of the influential figures among the original Plymouth Brethren and the founder of the Exclusive Brethren. He is considered the father of modern Dispensationalism. Pre-tribulation rapture theology was popularized extensively in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. It was further popularized in the United States in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible. The fact that John Nelson Darby “concocted” the “secret pre-tribulation rapture doctrine” around 1832 AD is unquestionably true. This doctrine did not exist before John Darby “invented” it. Prior to the 1830s, no church believed in or taught this “new doctrine” in their creed, catechism, or statement of faith. It is not found in any church sermon or literature from the first century founding church fathers on up into the 1830s. His “new doctrine” is one of the most recent “new doctrines” in the history of the church.” (Kenneth L. Hose, The Christian’s False Hope: The Truth About the “False” Pre-Tribulation Rapture, 11 (Kindle Edition): Pennsauken, NJ: Bookbaby)
Christians must always be on guard against teachings that contradict God’s Word, while at the same time striving to be humble and teachable as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18).
Finally, God does not promise that He will swoop down and rescue His people from suffering and hardship at the end of time.
Buckle up, brothers and sisters: we are in for the long haul!
May we be faithful until death that we may receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Father, help us to stay focused on You and Your Word. Strengthen us as we grow in our knowledge and be patient with us when we stumble and fall short. Help us to be faithful, and forgive us our sins and transgressions. We love You, Lord. Amen.