The Falling Away

In 2 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica warning them that in the last days a falling away would take place before the revealing of the Antichrist, which Paul called the man of sin, the son of perdition.

“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;” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Take note of what Paul said in the first few lines of the verse above: let no man deceive you by any means. It is crucial we understand that there are many deceptions that have infiltrated the Church. Paul cautioned the Thessalonians to not allow anybody to deceive them in any manner or in any way concerning the scriptures or anything happening in the world, both physical and spiritual. This also includes anybody with some knowledge of the Bible but has misguided views on certain biblical subjects.

There are many Christians who have some level of knowledge of the Bible; some even have knowledge that surpasses many highly educated theologians and well-studied scholars. However, no one is completely immune to deception. We all have been deceived in one way or another, and just because you are a Christian with ample knowledge of the Bible does not make you resistant to all false doctrine. We all have fallen for certain doctrines that sounded very much like biblical truth when in reality they are false. We mustn’t have a haughty attitude about our walk with God but recognize that we are still learning and growing in Him. We must abandon strife and stop debates among ourselves and choose to humble ourselves before God, and in this way, we grow in Him. Remember, the beginning of knowledge and wisdom is fearing the Lord.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

By us fearing, meaning highly revering and respecting the Lord, we gain knowledge and wisdom by Him teaching us through His word and His Holy Spirit. It is also by His Spirit that we learn how to discern the right from the wrong, the good from the bad, the truth from the lies.

Paul recognized that there was a problem with false doctrine circulating in the Church and he often addressed this in his letters to different churches. To the Thessalonians, he addressed an issue regarding the last days. He warned that in the last days there will be a falling away before the Antichrist’s arrival. What is this falling away?

There have been a few presentations to attempt to explain what this falling away is. There is a teaching that suggests that the falling away is referencing the rapture. The Greek word for “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians is apostasia which derives from the Greek word aphístēmi meaning “leave or depart.” Some people suggests that the “departure” in 2 Thessalonians is a reference to the rapture, particularly the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, when the Church will leave this earth when the Lord takes us into heaven before the chaos of the Great Tribulation take place. However, this is very wrong. The word used in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, apostasia, literally means “apostasy”, meaning the departure of the faith! It has nothing to do with leaving this earth in a rapture. The word rapture is nowhere suggested or insinuated in this verse.

What Paul was warning the Thessalonians and us about was a departing of the faith of Jesus. He was saying that before the day of the Lord comes there will be many who will leave the faith and follow false doctrine. This occurs before the Antichrist arrives and long before the return of Jesus. It is critical that we do not be a part of the group who forsakes our faith in Jesus and follow behind wicked teachers who preach false doctrine. Departing the faith makes us very prone to the evil doctrines of the Antichrist, and we will most certainly fall for his lies.

In 1 Timothy 4:1 Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy that the Spirit spoke expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith. This is what apostasia means, which is exactly what Paul was speaking of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. He explains further that those who leave the faith will listen and follow deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils (demons).

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1

The reasons for some leaving the faith vary, but the main reason is because of deception. Failing to discern the truth from the lies makes one susceptible to deception, and in turn they allow themselves to believe in false doctrines. Lack of knowledge of the scriptures as well as being too eager to believe every word of a pastor or teacher can make one an easy target for false prophets and false teachers who prey upon such souls. Paul calls these types of people “children” because, like children, they believe anything that they are told concerning the scriptures. They fail to study the Bible for themselves and therefore are easily swayed with every word of doctrine.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:14

Another reason some will turn away from truth is because of their fleshly desires. There are those who follow Christ merely for personal gain. Their hearts are not in it for the Lord. Again, Paul spoke on this issue in another letter to Timothy.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Wishing to fulfill their fleshly desires and lusts, some will readily follow behind false teachers who will tell stories that appeal to their flesh. These false teachers are everywhere and are more prevalent than those who speak the truth. In Matthew 7:15 Jesus warned us about false prophets who come to us in sheep’s clothing but are inwardly vicious, soul-hungry wolves.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15

There are many false prophets who come to believers speaking great tales and preach words that seem to line up with scripture. They will say all the right things to win over a believer who is eager to believe anybody who calls himself or herself a prophet, teacher, evangelist, or minister. The false prophet and false teacher will always disguise their lies and heresies with the true gospel of God, convincing the listener that he or she is a man or woman of God. They will even perform miracles, further “proving” their position as prophet or teacher. However, despite their great shows, they subtly deny the power and position of Jesus as God and Lord.

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5

Yet because the believer does not question the words of the prophet or teacher, he inevitably believes the lies. And this is how one can turn away from truth and follow false doctrine. John the apostle warned us in his letter to not believe everyone who claims to be of God. He told us to try, or test, the spirits to see if they are of God.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Jesus also warned us about false prophets who will perform great signs and wonders that will be so convincing that, if it were possible, the very elect, meaning His saints who hold His truth, would be deceived. This proves how strong this deception will be in the last days.

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24

But those who keep the truth of Jesus and never forsake His faith will be shielded from the strong delusions and deceptions. It is only when you study His word and stand firmly on it are you able to withstand the lies and heresies of the enemy. It is crucial to study the word of God for yourself, and not be so eager to just simply follow behind a pastor, a teacher, or a prophet.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Now is it more vital than ever to study God’s word. So go open up your Bible and start studying the word of truth!