Message details

-For today’s prophecy update I’m going to address a matter that has been the source of much confusion as of late, related to the rapture. -At the risk of seeming and sounding provocative and sensational, I have to say there is a ramping up of deception in these the last days. -To make matters worse, it’s only going to get worse, as it even now is. I would like to invite you to turn to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 at this time.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV (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;

-Of all the Facebook posts, YouTube comments, and Emailed questions that I am asked about this is by far the most often quoted verse. -Sadly, in spite of Paul saying; “let no man deceive you by any means,” it would seem that most are even now being deceived by all means. -By that I mean; the church today bought into this deception hook line and sinker that the rapture will not come before the 7-year tribulation.

-I’m of the belief that it’s for this reason we even have Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica and specifically chapter 2, verse 3. -I would submit to you this one verse, once and for all, puts the last nail in the coffin a mid-trib, pre-wrath, or God forbid, no rapture theory. -As a matter of fact, this verse seals the deal of a pre-tribulation rapture and in so doing makes it a fact from scripture and not merely theory.

-Now I realize that this is a very bold claim and one for which one might ask whether or not I can actually back this up from the scripture. -Well, yes I can, and if you will but give the Holy Spirit your permission and your attention, I believe this truth will become Red-Sea clear. -However, before I settle this matter once and for all, I think it’s incumbent upon me to explain why it is that this even matters to us now.

-What follows is a list of reasons, in no particular order, as to why this is life and death important in its eternal implications and ramifications.

1. Faith and anticipation replace fear and trepidation in how I live my life in these last days as I await Jesus Christ instead of the anti-Christ. 2. It creates an urgency to get right with the Lord, so that I’m ready for the Lord, and let loved ones know so they too can be ready as well. 3. I’m not preparing and stockpiling what’s necessary for the tribulation. I’m preparing and eliminating what’s not necessary for a celebration.

-Now having said that, let’s get back to how it is that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 settles once and for all this matter of a pre-tribulation rapture. -In order to do that, I’m going to borrow heavily from Dr. Thomas Ice, whom I’ve had the privilege of talking with when he was here on Oahu. -He has written what would arguable be the definitive work on the pre-tribulation rapture being woven into the fabric of 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

-For those who are interested you can do a search of the title which is; “Is the Rapture in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.” Here’s a quote from Dr. Ice.

“…the Greek noun apostasia, usually translated “apostasy,” is a reference to the rapture and should be translated “departure.” Thus, this passage would be saying that the day of the Lord [speaking of the seven year tribulation] will not come until the rapture comes before it. If apostasia is a reference to a physical departure, then 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is strong evidence for pretribulationism.” …[Ice goes on to quote Daniel K. Davey saying], “It is with full assurance of proper exegetical study and with complete confidence in the original languages,” …that the word meaning of apostasia is defined as departure.” Daniel K. Davey, “The ‘Apostesia’ of II Thessalonians 2:3,” Th.M. thesis, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, May 1982, p. 27.

-If you’re anything like me you’ve probably asked the question of, if this is true, why doesn’t my Bible say departure instead of falling away. -Well, the short answer to that very good question is that you have the King James Versions translation to thank for rendering it falling away. -Again, quoting Dr. Ice in his thoroughly documented article citing; “Today’ Foremost Authorities Speak Out on End-Time controversies.”

“The first seven English translations of apostasia all rendered the noun as either “departure” or “departing.” They are as follows: Wycliffe Bible (1384); Tyndale Bible (1526); Coverdale Bible (1535); Cranmer Bible (1539); Breeches Bible (1576); Beza Bible (1583); Geneva Bible (1608). This supports the notion that the word truly means “departure.” In fact, Jerome’s Latin translation known as the Vulgate from around the time of A.D. 400 renders apostasia with the “word discessio, meaning ‘departure.’” Why was the King James Version the first to depart from the established translation of “departure”? Theodore Beza, the Swiss reformer was the first to transliterate apostasia and create a new word, rather than translate it as others had done. The translators of the King James Version were the first to introduce the new rendering of apostasia as “falling away.” Most English translators have followed the KJV and Beza in departing from translating apostasia as “departure.” No good reason was ever given. H. Wayne House, “Apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: Apostasy or Rapture?”

-This is probably as good of a time as any to address another issue I get asked about all the time with respect to being King James only. -I don’t have any problem with the King James Version, but what I do have a problem with is the “only” part of the King James Version. -Be that as it may, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is a good example of why we should all be very careful in wanting to jump on the only bandwagon.

-So, having established this fact concerning the correct translation of “apostasia” as departure, we’re now equipped to understand the text. -Paul warns the reader that the rapture will be a deceptive and divisive doctrine, such that they will falsely teach that it doesn’t come first. -The truth of the matter is that “The Day of the Lord,” which is the seven-year tribulation will not come unless the “departure” comes first.

-If you were to arrange the timeline of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 it would be this, 1-Deception 2-Rapture 3-Tribulation 4-Anti-Christ, in that order. -I don’t know how else to say this, but anyone who dares to place the rapture anywhere but before the tribulation is deceived and deceiving. -I suppose it wouldn’t be such a big deal if the consequences of this deception weren’t so far reaching as to impact ones eternal destiny.

-Consider in closing the parable Jesus taught in Matthew 24 where He contrasts and compares the wicked servant with the faithful servant.

Matthew 24:45-51 NIV "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? (46) It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. (47) I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (48) But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' (49) and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. (50) The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. (51) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.