Rapture or Apostasy, what does the Bible say is next?
Many Christians are eagerly awaiting the answer to the following question. Rapture or apostasy, which comes next in Bible prophecy?
And, as usual, among many Christians, there is much controversy regarding the best way to interpret this passage. In particular, the word apostasy is disputed. Does the word refer to a falling away or departure from the faith in Christ? Or does it refer to a departure from the world itself? Those who believe it is the latter, teach that this passage tells us that the rapture will happen before the revealing of the Antichrist.
If that’s the case, then the key verse essentially says that the gathering of the saints to meet Christ (the rapture), and the revealing of the Antichrist will not happen until the rapture happens.
Here’s the passage:
2Thessalonians 2: 1-5
1 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.
2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.
4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
Below we find one of the many biblical study tools that make it clear the better interpretation of the word ‘apostasy’
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible: Rapture or Apostasy
“Apostasy: Turning against God, as evidenced by abandonment and repudiation of former beliefs. The term generally refers to a deliberate renouncing of the faith by a once sincere believer rather than a state of ignorance or mistaken knowledge. Apostasy is distinguished from heresy (denial of the faith). And from the transfer of allegiance from one religious body to another within the same faith. Also, it is possible to deny the faith, as Peter once did, and then at a later time, reaffirm it.”
2 Thess. 2: 1-5 Rapture or Apostasy
Verse One: Concerning the coming of the Lord and gathering with Him
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you.
Verse Two: Don’t be shaken by false teaching.
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.
Verse Three: First comes the apostasy and then the Antichrist is revealed.
No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first. And the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.
Verse Four: He will take his seat in the temple of God.
who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So that he takes his seat in the temple of God. Displaying himself as being God.
Verse Five: I told you these things
Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
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In Search of Antichrist
The mysterious man called the Antichrist struck fear in me the first several times I heard about him. The Exorcist movie was in the theatres around that time and I was foolish enough to watch it on the big screen. Since I was scared of the Antichrist before then, I was terrified after watching that sickening girl’s head spin around on her neck, spewing vomit, and cursing those ill-equipped priests who were in over their heads against the forces of darkness.
Yes, I was afraid, but so were a lot of us.
When I first heard about the Antichrist I was a young Christian attending Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa California. The Pastor, Chuck Smith, was an older man who had a strong appeal to the growing masses of young believers who were attending his church. I liked his teaching style as did a lot of us teens and young adults. Every week the church was full of young people like me who flocked to the church.
Let me know what you think.