The Great "Falling Away" - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

This is one of those topics that is unpleasant at the best, to contemplate. But it is one that is of great concern to our Lord, and a ‘warning’ about the condition of the church in the end times. One we must be aware of, and understand, in order to pray for those in this condition for their salvation. We must always approach this difficult situation with the love of God in our hearts, and forgiveness. To be there for one another, to guide one another, and to pray for one another.









Those interested in the signs of the end times, and who are in pursuit of His truths and knowledge in this, understand that although the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, it will not occur without first a great ‘falling away’. And that His return will not precede this. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) KJV. First, what is meant by the great ‘falling away’? The term ‘falling away’ or ‘apostasy’ as called in many texts, is defined as: to depart from the revealed truths of God’s Word; to be led away or seduced, defect and depart; to blind our eyes by the manipulation of the truths of God’s Word; to justify that which is not of God, by God’s Word; to be turned from His Truths by lying signs, wonders, and false teachings. The Greek translation of ‘falling away’ is ‘apostasia’ (ap-os-tas-ee’-ah): defection, revolt, apostasy, departure - literally, “a leaving, from a previous standing”; as defined in Strong’s Concordance (646). These are just a few of the terms used to define ‘falling away’. Another example to the consistency of the meaning of a ‘falling away’ in the Word of God is this verse: “ Those on rocky ground are the ones who receive the Word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away.” (Luke 8:13) NIV. The meaning of this term must first be understood in the context of use for clarification.









This is a time in which the Lord is warning all, that many will not only leave the faith, but some will still claim it, and use the Word of God to serve their own pursuits. To justify their own desires; to mix His Truths with lies; to comform with the world while yet believing for self-justification, with even themselves leading others astray by their heretical beliefs. Most importantly, not holding on to their ‘First Love”, Jesus Christ! “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have abandoned your first love. Remember therefore where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.” (Revelations 2:4-5). NKJV. Who can fall into this category? Anyone! Not only you and I as students of the Word of God, those who also call themselves Pastor, teacher, church leaders, and elders. Any one of us can be led into this deception unless we stay in His Word and seek His truths. Seeking His truths, and not just what we want His word to say, either by denial or omission, to justify our beliefs. These are the things that can occur if after we have been called, we do not ‘stand the ground’. What is the result of ‘falling away’, without repentance? The Lord Himself has strong Word’s on this that should shake the very ground we walk on. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the Will of my father who is heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me evil doers!” (Matthew 7:21-23). NIV. These are the Word’s of God to those who have accounted themselves to be believers, but have fallen away. These things have invaded the body of Christ like a cancer. Yet in knowing the Lord’s response to those who have gone astray, there are those that will keep right on living in these deceptions, because they continue to justify their actions by mixing His truths with their lies. Therefore it is now a ‘truth’ to them. We must remember that there is a wide and straight road that leads to destruction and hell, and many will follow it. “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14). NIV. This verse ends with five Word's that should move us to self examination: "only a FEW find it." Of all those that proclaim HIs name, the vast majority will be lost! This should stir each of us to search our hearts to be sure that His Truths are alive and live in us. That we are not living in deception as to our salvation.There are far too many believers that are being desensitized to the Word of God by the world, false teachings and the false counsel of these individuals that are among us. And, according to our Lord, there are more that are 'fallen away' than not! They are all around us and in our midst. We will be deceived by them, and the spirit of the enemy that is in them, unless we stay true to the truths of God's Word, and continually seek His understanding and wisdom. Where is our responsibility in all of this? We are to hold on to His truths and to test all things. “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (Thessalonians 5:21-22). NASB.









Is the great ‘falling away’ present or are we just in its shadow? If we look at the world today, and the divisions occurring within in the church and the resulting strife that is among believers by internal conflict, it would seem that at the very least, the door has been opened. And if we are seeing this, then we know that the Lord's arrival, by His own Word's, is imminent. Are you truly ready for His arrival? We stand in danger of 'falling away' when we begin to self-interpret the Word of God, to say what we want His Word to say, rather than seek His truths and hold fast to them…to be immovable in ALL of His Words. But, it is for each and every one of us to pursue the understanding in this by staying in the Word of God and by prayer. And where does the understanding of His Truths come from? Any man can teach the Word of God, but understanding comes ONLY by His Holy Spirit. "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about ALL things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." (1 John 2"27). And again: "But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26). We continually should seek His understanding from His Holy Spirit, in prayer.









So in all of this ‘doom and gloom’ where is our hope and peace? It is here:




“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) NIV. Are we seeing the "falling away?" Absolutely! If we can't see this, then we have also been deceived. My prayer is for us all to stand and stay strong in the truths of His Word. To not be deceived by this world or the enemy. To not be one that has ‘fallen away’. May God’s blessings be upon each and every one of you.









As always, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.




Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)