Many today are teaching that apostasia in 2 Thess. 2:3 is a reference to the physical departure of the church in the rapture. I wish this were true. That would be pretty awesome. But we are obligated to abide by the facts, no matter where our preferences lie. This video points out that apostasia was never used for physical departure in Koine Greek. This means that the sense of physical departure can’t be considered as a possible meaning for apostasia in 2 Thess. 2:3.
On The Trail of Apostasia (2 Thess. 2:3) — The Koine Usage of Apostasia
2 Comments
Karl
February 9, 2024 at 8:13 pmWhat is the difference between Galatians 1 verse 6 “being removed”, Hebrews 6 verse 6 “fall away” and 2 Thess 2 verse 3 “falling away” ? All three different words describe what appears to be a turning away from the gospel. Are these words “degrees” of apostasy?
Lee Brainard
February 10, 2024 at 12:16 pmGalations 1:6 “removed from the Gospel” is referring to folks under the influence of bad teaching that undermines the gospel. This can lead to departure in the sense of apostasy. Hebrews 6:6 is talking about people who heard the gospel clearly, came under conviction of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good promises of God, yet walked away. This is not talking about folks who put salvation off for next week or next year. It is talking about people who fully and foully reject it. They are true apostates. They cannot be saved. They have rejected the only way of salvation. Their rejection of Christ is tantamount to crucifying Christ all over again as an imposter and fraud. Falling away in 2 Thess. 3 is referring to the particular and final apostasy that shall occur during the 70th week under the direction of the antichrist.