“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…”- 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (New King James Version)

Many Christians today believe that an amazing, worldwide revival will occur in the Last Days, in which hundreds of millions – or even billions – of people will come to Christ.  The Bible, however, teaches that a terrible “failing away” or “apostasy” occurs in the Last Days instead.  “Apostasy” is the Greek word for “falling away.”   continue

“And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”  2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 (NIV)

“And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” (NKJV) 

In this passage, Paul addressed a problem in the church of Thessalonica in his day: many people in the church thought the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and a type of panic had beset the immature believers.  Some of the lazy ones were no longer working at any job, because they said it was more spiritual to sit around waiting for the Rapture – and the other church members had to support them.  Paul sharply criticizes anyone (besides widows and orphans) who depends on the church for financial support instead of working at a secular job and being self-sufficient financially.  Other church members were focused on the rise of the Antichrist.  

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