The passage from 2 Thessalonians 2:3, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition," is a foundational prophecy in Christian eschatology, particularly concerning the end times. This verse speaks of two primary events that must precede the "Day of the Lord" or the second coming of Christ: a "falling away" (apostasia) and the revelation of the "man of sin" or "son of perdition."
The Greek word apostasia (ἀποστασία) is central to understanding the "falling away." It literally means a defection, revolt, or abandonment. While it can refer to political rebellion, in a religious context, it signifies a departure from faith, truth, or allegiance to God. Scholars generally interpret this as a widespread spiritual apostasy, a significant turning away from Christian doctrine and practice. This is not merely individual backsliding but a collective and pervasive rejection of biblical truth that will characterize the period leading up to the Antichrist's emergence. This "falling away" is seen as a deliberate and conscious rejection of God's authority and revealed word, paving the way for the acceptance of deception and lawlessness.[1]
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The second crucial element is the revelation of the "man of sin" or "son of perdition." This figure is widely understood to be the Antichrist, a powerful individual who will embody ultimate evil and oppose God. The title "son of perdition" (υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας) is also used to describe Judas Iscariot in John 17:12, highlighting a connection to betrayal and ultimate destruction.[2] This individual will be characterized by lawlessness, deception, and a desire to exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped (2 Thessalonians 2:4). His appearance is directly linked to the "falling away," suggesting that the widespread abandonment of truth creates an environment ripe for his rise to power and influence. The "great apostasy" described in the provided context from Poe.com aligns with this interpretation, positing that this rebellion against biblical truth sets the stage for the Antichrist's rise and the "Beast system."[3]
The "falling away" (apostasia) refers to a widespread and deliberate rejection of biblical truth and a departure from Christian faith, which will precede the revelation of the "man of sin" (Antichrist). This event is not merely individual backsliding but a significant, collective spiritual rebellion that creates the conditions for the Antichrist's emergence and the establishment of his system of lawlessness.[4]
Authoritative Sources
- Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. [Baker Publishing Group]↩
- Strong, James. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. [Bible Hub]↩
- The Great Apostasy. [Poe.com]↩
- Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. [David C Cook]↩
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