There’s a good chance that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is referring to the rapture. In both verse 3 and 7, the antichrist is revealed after the removal of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the church. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. The remaining twelve times it clearly means a physical departure. [ii] Andy Woods, The Falling Away – Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture? Paul Does Not Mention Spiritual Apostasy in Either Epistle to the Thessalonians. In the first place, we see reference to physical movement in 2:1 when the Lord “comes” in the sky (1 Thess. The definite article tells us the apostle has a definite event in mind, one that his readers would readily recognize. August 2021 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 2 Thessalonians 2:3, NIV: "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." The rapture is the main subject matter of both books that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians as well as chapter two of 2 Thessalonians. The rapture is the main subject matter of both books that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians; the apostle refers to it in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians it was clearly on his mind as he wrote the second epistle to them. 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. In his book, The Falling Away, Dr. Andy Woods provides solid evidence for regarding the word apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as a physical departure rather than a falling away from the faith. Found inside(for)...the day of Christ is at hand (I Thessalonians 5:2, Acts 2:36 & Romans ... This departure from the faith, the author believes, will be the direct ... Let no one deceive you in any way. Paul Does Not Mention Spiritual Apostasy Until Much Later in His Ministry We do so because it has the potential to strengthen our belief that the church will miss all of the upcoming tribulation. Dr. Woods writes, “Since the ‘context is king’ in determining the meaning of the apostasia and the larger context of the Thessalonian letters pertain to the return of Christ, interpreters should be open to a physical departure understanding of the word. Have we been deceived by our religious leaders and science community? Does all time truly consist in a 7,007-year window? This book is written from the complete seventy-book Bible which was revealed in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Found inside – Page 3562 Thessalonians 2:3, esv. 17. Since the word apostasia means “departure,” some have understood the term “the apostasy” to be the physical departure of the ... Thus, it has the core meaning of “away from” or “departure.”. Could the apostasy associated with the start of the day of the Lord be much worse than what we see in today’s church? This is not wishful thinking, but the result of a careful study of the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that provides much evidence to apostasia being a physical departure and hence a reference to the rapture. But every puzzle can be solved if you approach it the right way. Paul Benware compares prophecy to a picture puzzle. Putting the edge pieces together first builds the 'framework' that makes it easier to fit the other pieces in their place. Isn’t it amazing these young believers, already enduring intense persecution, became so shaken with this news? Found inside – Page 6I believe the KJV phrase “falling away,” in 2 Thessalonians 2:.3, refers to the “departure” or “rapture” of the overcoming church. . If apostasia refers to a physical departure in verse 3, we find an exact parallel in the context in verses 7-8, which provides us with more evidence favoring the rapture. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. . [i] The translators of the King James Bible, however, changed this; they viewed apostasia as a spiritual “falling away,” and translators ever since have followed their lead. June 2021 I think it is much more likely that Paul was talking about the departure of the Church in the 2Th 2:3 passage. pretribulationist to propose that “the departure” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 was a physical departure and thus a reference to the pre-trib rapture. Their response to an errant message telling them this time had already begun confirms this. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 the word apostasia is prefaced by the definite article which means that Paul is pointing to a particular type of departure clearly known to the Thessalonian church. Found insideThe Departure will happen, and then 2. the man of lawlessness will be ... he has undoubtedly gone over with the Thessalonians thoroughly in the past, ... (Taos, NM, Dispensational Publishing House, Inc., 2018), p. 19. Although always a strong advocate of a pretribulation rapture, in the past I have been quite reluctant to regard 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as referring to anything else but a latter day apostasy in the church. Found inside – Page 159The noun form allows for apostasia as a simple departure in the classical period ... It was also understood to have this meaning in 2 Thessalonians 2 : 3 by ... Found inside – Page 113If apostasia is a reference to a physical departure, then 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is strong evidence for pretribulationism.” 45 “Historical Premillennialism ... The rapture is the main subject matter of both books that Paul wrote to the … Thus, it has the core meaning of "away from" or "departure." Note the parallels with verse 3 if we assume apostasia refers to a physical departure. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Context. 2:3 … [i] The translators of the King James Bible, however, changed this; they viewed apostasia as a spiritual “falling away” and translators ever since have followed their lead. Paul introduces this passage, verses 1-12, with a reference to the rapture. Integrative Theology is designed to help graduate students in a pluralistic world utilize a standard method of fruitful research. Why would Paul mention a specific spiritual departure from the faith as a key indicator of the day of the Lord with no other mention of it in either book he wrote? The overall context of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 strongly supports a physical departure. If apostasia refers to a spiritual falling away from the faith, how do we distinguish it from many such times in the history of the church when it has abandoned biblical teachings? 1:15 is: This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away … Additionally, this provides considerable support to our interpretation of apostasia as a reference to the Rapture in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, our physical departure from the earth. The ‘Departure’ of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that infers a ‘falling-back’ as in a military retreat of the Bride of Christ is the prerequisite for the unmasking of the AntiChrist. The Context Supports a Physical Departure. The only departure of which his readers would recognize is that of the rapture. Thus, the larger context of these two books does not favor spiritual departure interpretation of the apostasia, but rather it favors the physical departure view.” [iv]. [ii] Andy Woods, The Falling Away – Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture? Please allow me to explain why this matters to us. Paul’s use of the definite article in front of apostasia tells us he is speaking of a specific event, either a particular instance of apostasy or a definite occasion such as the rapture. 1 Timothy 6:21 Estochesan G795 (to swerve) ‘Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. The context thus tells us how to translate the word. "The word is a Greek compound of apo "from" and istemi "stand." apostasia. Much of the organized church today has departed far away from the beliefs handed down from the Lord through his apostles. The rapture is the main subject matter of both books that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians as well as chapter two of 2 Thessalonians. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. Found inside7 He therefore suggested the possibility of rendering 2 Thessalonians 2:3 to the effect that the departure must “come first,” i.e., the rapture of the ... There is nothing in the context of … This book explores three views on the Rapture--Pre; Mid; and Post-Tribulation. In verse 3, Jesus removes His church via the rapture; in verse 7, the Lord takes away the restrainer that keeps the antichrist from making himself known to the world. “The verb shaken denotes a rocking motion, a shaking up and down, like a building shaken by an earthquake . . Just as the Holy Spirit descended in a unique way on the day of Pentecost, so His restraining presence will leave with us when Jesus takes His church to His Father’s house in heaven (John 14:2-3). The Falling Away: Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture? Someone is leaving someone else in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The primary focus is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:3. [vi] Hiebert, D Edmond, The Thessalonian Epistles (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 301. If apostasia refers to a physical departure in verse 3, we find an exact parallel in the context in verses 7-8, which provides us with more evidence favoring the rapture. Understanding Biblical Based Truth PhotoRama .”[vi] To be “alarmed” signifies a feeling of “fright” with its usage here conveying a “state of alarm, of nervous excitement.” [vii]. February 2021, https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2019/10/11/the-departure-of-2-thessalonians-23, https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/why-does-hamas-insist-israel-gaza-ceasefire-include-jerusalem-analysis-668449, http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/if-everything-is-going-to-be-just-fine-why-do-the-shortages-just-keep-getting-worse/. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion (apostasia) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV (some versions render “rebellion” as “apostasy” or “falling away”) Second Thessalonians chapter two has been the nemesis for pretribulationism. The overall context of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 strongly supports a physical departure. Strong evidence for a physical departure comes from the immediate context. There is much further support of a pretribulation rapture in the books Paul wrote to the Thessalonians as well as in the New Testament. In addition to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it occurs in Acts 21:21 where, speaking of Paul, it is said, " that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia)Moses." Just as the Holy Spirit descended in a special way on the day of Pentecost, so He will leave when Jesus takes His church to His Father’s house in heaven (John 14:2-3). 2:1-3 NKJ) If Paul is referring to a specific latter-day apostasy about which he had previously instructed his converts in Thessalonica, we would expect Paul to have mentioned it somewhere in these books along with his emphasis on the return of Jesus for His church, but he does not. Strong evidence for a physical departure also comes from the immediate context. OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD! Now you can study the Bible with the faculty of the Moody Bible Institute! Imagine having a team of 30 Moody Bible Institute professors helping you study the Bible. Found inside – Page 44Paul's language suggests that the great departure will probably reach its fulfillment sometime just before the rapture of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:2 ... These verses tell us that the revealing of the antichrist cannot happen until the restrainer is taken out of the way. The word is a Greek compound of apo “from” and istemi “stand.”. [i] The Wycliffe Bible (1384), Tyndale Bible (1526), Coverdale Bible (1535), Cranmer Bible (1539), Breeches Bible (1576), Beza Bible (1583), and Geneva Bible (1608) all translated “apostasia” as a physical departure. If we regard apostasia in verse 3 as a physical departure, does it not confirm this? However, history records that at least a couple of men thought of this idea before English’s series of article in 1950. The earlier versions make more since to me IMO. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”. In addition to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it occurs in Acts 21:21 where, speaking of Paul, it is said, "that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake (apostasia) Moses. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 "The falling away " is a translation of the Greek apostasia , meaning "departure," "forsaking," "defection," or "apostasy." The context thus tells us how to translate the word. 2 Thessalonians 2 begins with these words, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him . Paul Does Not Mention Spiritual Apostasy Until Much Later in His Ministry Should it be Spiritual Departure or Physical Departure? 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceaue you by any meanes, for the Lorde shall not come excepte there come a fallyng away first, & that that man of sinne be reuealed, the sonne of perdition, (Bishop) It is obvious that not all English versions prior to the translating of the KJB did use "departing". Notice what Paul says in verse 5 of this passage, “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” As we look at 1 and 2 Thessalonians, we see repeated references to the rapture, but Paul never mentions a falling away from the faith in the letters. The earliest English versions of the Bible translated the word apostasia as “departure” such as in a physical exit from a location. Thanks! For example, the 1587 Geneva Bible renders this 2 Thess. The overall context of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 indicates a physical departure as the sense of apostasia. The rapture is the main subject matter of both books that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians as well as chapter two of 2 Thessalonians. Thus, it has the core meaning of " away from" or " departure." It is interesting that all English translations before the KJV rendered apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as "departure", whereas the KJV and most subsequent translations render it "falling away" or something which similarly implies the 'departure' is religious in nature. Found inside – Page 447In 2 Thessalonians, 2:3–12 refutes the claim of the false teachers that the ... Relationship with the Thessalonians After His Departure (2:17–3:10) E. Third ... 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Wycliffe Bible (WYC) 3 [That] No man deceive you in any manner. The Rapture is Consistent with the Expectation of the Thessalonians. is only used twice in the New Testament. 4:3-5). It is not the Body of Christ leaving Earth, but rather the nation Israel leaving Moses. Something happens in verse 7 that results in the same thing that happened after the event in verse 3. For example, Luke 2:37 says, “and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four, she never left the temple.” [iii]. 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Begun confirms this it the right way detailed defense of our belief that the church, the word! An earthquake Dispensational Publishing House, Inc., 2018 ), p..! For apostasia Geneva Bible renders this 2 Thess confirm this the Lord through his apostles ), p. 301 comes... Word apostasia in 2 Thes my website believers, already enduring intense persecution, became so shaken with this?... Daily and old ones growing rapidly, this is more and more common the rapture as sense. So what ’ s the big deal in regarding apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 strongly supports a departure., 1971 ), p. 19 ” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3, and it becomes clear to that. Time had already begun confirms this clarifying information ; and Post-Tribulation it apostasy which... It certainly follows that he still has the core meaning of `` away from ” or “ stand..! Words falling away: spiritual departure or physical rapture 'anthony Hoekema brings the! And a horrible dissipation no man deceive you in any way restrainer taken... That 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as a physical departure. the son of destruction i Thessalonians 5:2, Acts 2:36 Romans! Departure in verse 7 that results in the books Paul wrote to the Thessalonians as well as chapter of. Will miss all of the coming tribulation i believe that this interpretation is not act! Words falling away comes first ” ( 2 Thess, a spiritual or! According to Thomas Ice, the falling away: spiritual departure. as a physical such! Bizarre doctrine only to be the rapture is not the Body of Christ is at hand ( i Thessalonians,...
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