Apostasia In 2 Thessalonians 2 3 Rapture Or Apostasy

The Greek word apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 has long been understood to be a reference to an exceptional apostasy or departure from the faith in the last days that comes to an explosive climax during the seventieth week under the tyranny of the antichrist. Recently, some prophecy teachers have advanced the idea that apostasia in this verse 3 does not refer to apostasy but the rapture. They claim that the semantic range of apostasia is not limited to spiritual departure but includes physical departure. They also insist that all of the early Bible versions translated apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 by departure, which they regard as a reference to the church’s physical departure for heaven. Are they correct? Is apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 a reference to the rapture? Is it a reference to physical departure that should be translated by the word departure? Are translations like falling away, revolt, and apostasy wrong? In this volume I present a mountain of overlooked evidence from Koine Greek, the Church Fathers, and the Bible versions that shouts an emphatic “No!” to all four questions.

The Day of the Lord will not come unless the "falling away" comes first, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:3. What is this falling away? Is it apostasy, a spiritual departure from the faith, or is it an actual physical rapture? In this book, Dr. Andy Woods gives 10 reasons to believe it is a physical rapture.

(Foreword by Charles C. Ryrie) This work presents a biblically based, reasoned examination of the second coming.

Is the rapture still going to happen? And if so, when? With contributing scholars from schools like Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary, and The Master’s Theological Seminary, Evidence for the Rapture is a convincing and thoroughly biblical case for the rapture. This collection of exegetical essays looks at the rapture from a number of biblical angles: the words of Jesus in the Gospels, Paul’s teachings in the epistles, and even prophetic and apocalyptic literature. In sound exegetical technique, the authors corroborate Scripture’s main teachings on the end times to provide a trustworthy and concise treatment of a multi-faceted issue. For the last several hundred years, the doctrine of a pretribulation rapture has been a fixture in many churches and institutions. Evidence for the Rapture is a fresh polish upon this long-standing doctrine.

The Lord seems to be setting the stage for His return as never before. One of these major stage-setting trends that we are currently seeing is the rise of a coalition of nations that harbors a hostile intent toward Israel. Dr. Andy Woods explains how this coalition of nations will someday fulfill the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39.

In a spirit of sanctified humor, this satire skewers the error of the easy-believe gospel and defends the biblical truth that Christians will be changed by the Holy Spirit that indwells and empowers them. Take a rough-n-tumble journey with Peregrinus (Latin for pilgrim) as he, with the help of his mentor Plowman, battles with the errors thrown at him by the likes of such characters as Willy "Rush" Forward, Strawberry Nostrum, Reverend Quacksalver, and Jumping Jack Hallelujah.

In the opening chapter, Robert Gundry states, "It is hoped that the following pages will contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the posttribulational position and that it will do so in a manner characterized by 'wisdom from above. . . First pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy' (James 3:17)." In keeping with this expressed desire, the author presents his thesis regarding Christ's second coming, not as a polemical argument, but as a reasonable and tenable position. This book propounds the thesis that Jesus will return after the tribulation and that the first resurrection will occur at that time. Dr. Gundry believes that biblical evidence points most naturally to this conclusion. Because of his discerning analysis of Scripture, his careful logic, and the thoughtful presentation of his views, he is one of today's leading spokesmen for posttribulational eschatology.