Summary of the ways in which Apostasia signifies Rapture in 2 Thess 2.
There is a parallel going on, that in simple & plain English
language on the surface, or in any other translation in any other Language,
anyone should be able to see:
Verse 3: "a falling away first, and that man of sin be
revealed"
Verses 7,8 "he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked
be revealed"
So, we will examine both the falling away, and the taking out of the
way, to see what these are, which cause the Wicked man of sin, the son
of perdition, to be revealed.
2. methormizô, remove from one anchorage to another,
4. metex-anistamai, Pass., move from one place to another, Luc.Symp.13.
What does apostasia mean? Strong's numbers:
646 apostasia {ap-os-tas-ee'-ah}
feminine of the same as 647; TDNT - 1:513,88; n f
AV - to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1; 2
1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
647 apostasion {ap-os-tas'-ee-on}
neuter of a (presumed) adj. from a derivative of 868;;
n n
AV - divorcement 2, writing of divorcement 1; 3
1) divorce, repudiation
2) a bill of divorce
575 apo {apo'}
a primary particle;; preposition
AV - from 393, of 129, out of 48, for 10, off 10, by 9, at 9,
in 6, since + 3739 5, on 5, not tr. 16, misc. 31; 671
1) of separation
1a) of local separation, after verbs of motion from a place
i.e. of departing, of fleeing, ...
1b) of separation of a part from the whole
1b1) where of a whole some part is taken
1c) of any kind of separation of one thing from another by
which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed
1d) of a state of separation, that is of distance
1d1) physical, of distance of place
1d2) temporal, of distance of time
2) of origin
2a) of the place whence anything is, comes, befalls, is taken
2b) of origin of a cause
868 aphistemi {af-is'-tay-mee}
from 575 and 2476; TDNT - 1:512,88; v
AV - depart 10, draw away 1, fall away
1, refrain 1, withdraw self 1,
depart from 1; 15
1) to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove
1a) to excite to revolt
2) to stand off, to stand aloof
2a) to go away, to depart from anyone
2b) to desert, withdraw from one
2c) to fall away, become faithless
2d) to shun, flee from
2e) to cease to vex one
2f) to withdraw one's self from, to fall away
2g) to keep one's self from, absent one's self from
2476 histemi {his'-tay-mee}
a prolonged form of a primary stao {stah'-o} (of the same
meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); TDNT - 7:638,1082; v
AV - stand 116, set 11, establish 5, stand still 4, stand
by 3,
misc 17, vr stand 2; 158
1) to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
1a) to bid to stand by, [set up]
1a1) in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges,
before members of the Sanhedrin;
1a2) to place
1b) to make firm, fix establish
1b1) to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place
1b2) to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to
escape
in safety
1b3) to establish a thing, cause it to stand
1b31) to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything
1c) to set or place in a balance
1c1) to weigh: money to one (because in very early times before
the introduction of coinage, the metals used to be weighed)
2) to stand
2a) to stand by or near
2a1) to stop, stand still, to stand immovable, stand firm
2a1a) of the foundation of a building
2b) to stand
2b1) continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready
or
prepared
2b2) to be of a steadfast mind
2b3) of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/lexindex?lookup=a)postasi/a&lang=greek
Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon of Classical Greek
apostasia
apo-sta^sia, hê, late form for apostasis, defection, revolt,
v.l. in D.H.7.1, J.Vit.10, Plu.Galb.1; esp. in religious
sense, rebellion against God, apostasy, LXX Jo.22.22, 2 Ep.Th.au=LXX
Jo. 2.3.
2. departure, disappearance, Olymp. in Mete.320.2.
3. distinguishing, c. gen., Elias in Cat.119.7.
4. distance, Archim.Aren.1.5.
Various Commentary found on the Web:
Web commentary #1:
In the Vulgate, Jerome translated APOSTASIA with the Latin DISCESSIO. He use of DISCESSIO supposedly indicates that Jerome had a spatial departure in mind
Lewis & Short Latin Dictionary
discessio, ônis, f. [discedo].
I. (Very rarely), a separation of married persons, Ter. And. 3, 3,
36; of the people into parties (with seditio),
Gell. 2, 12: stellarum et discessiones et coetus, separations and conjunctions,
id. 14, 1, 8; cf.: plebei a patribus,
et aliae dissensiones, Sall. H. Fragm. 1, 9 Dietsch.--
II. A going away, departure, removal.
A. In gen. (very rarely; cf. discessus): Nonanus desolatus aliorum
discessione, Tac. A. 1, 30 fin.: necessaria,
Macr. S. 1, 5, 3.--Far more freq.,
B. In partic.
1. Polit. t. t., a going over to any one in voting: senatusconsultum
de supplicatione per discessionem fecit, Cic.
Phil. 3.9 fin.; Tac. A. 6, 12; Suet. Tib. 31; cf. Varr. ap. Gell. 14,
7, 12.--Esp.: discessionem facere, to make a
division, i. e. to get the vote of the house by dividing it, Cic. Phil.
14.7 fin.; Hirt. B. G. 8.52 fin.; 8.53; Cic.
Sest. 34.74; Tac. A. 3, 69 fin. al.--
2. In the church, a separation, schism (eccl. Lat.), Vulg. Act.
21, 21; id. 2 Thes. 2, 3.
Coverdale
Geneva
Tyndale
An Expanded Translation by Kenneth Wuest
Amplified Bible -- footnote
Liddell & Scott (apostasis): --(revolt / departure)
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/lexindex?lang=greek&display=&lookup=a)po/stasis
...
Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which
departed
not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and
day.
Luke 4:13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed
from him for a season.
Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are;
depart
from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
TRANSLATED EXACTLY THE SAME AS APOSTASIA "FALL AWAY" IN LUKE 8:13, IN THE KJV
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
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;
Matt 13:
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he
that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is
offended.
This is the plain teaching and surface meaning. However, look at it again, and remember that Jesus is the rock, and that believers are to have no ties to the world (roots?).
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for
all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and
right is he.
2 Samuel 22:32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a
rock, save our God?
Luke 6:
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth
them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid
the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat
vehemently
upon that house, and could not shake it: for
it was founded upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in
his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall
set me up upon a rock.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that
hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his
own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
So, it seems a possible secondary meaning is that if we abide in Jesus, (they on the rock), and we are not of the world (have no root), then in the time of tribulation, we will depart & be raptured. The tricky part about this is that in the 70 cases where "root" is used in scripture, nearly in all cases, having roots is described as a good thing, and being rooted out, or plucked up by the roots is a bad thing. The interesting thing about wheat at harvest time, however, is that the roots die in the ground. Job 14:8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
The other problem, is that the falling away in this example seems to
happen after the start of the time of temptation... but it's not exactly
clear either... the falling away could coincide with the time of temptation,
beginning at the same time, happening together. In which case, the
instantaneous rapture would happen "first" if it begins simultaneously
with the seven year tribulation.
metatithemi (greek)
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated [[3346] metatithemi] that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated [[3346] metatithemi] him: for before his translation [[3331] metathesis] he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
3346 metatithemi {met-at-ith'-ay-mee}
from 3326 and 5087; TDNT - 8:161,1176; v
AV - translate 2, carry over 1, remove 1, change 1, turn 1; 6
1) to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other)
1a) to transfer
1b) to change
1c) to transfer one's self or suffer one's self to be transferred
1c1) to go or pass over
1c2) to fall away or desert from one person or thing
to another
3331 metathesis {met-ath'-es-is}
from 3346; TDNT - 8:161,1176; n f
AV - change 1, translation 1, removing 1; 3
1) transfer: from one place to another
2) to change
2a) of things instituted or established
Hbr 12:27 And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing [3331 metathesis] of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
If a person has left the faith, as in an apostasy, we say that person
has really changed.
If a person comes into the faith, we also see and expect a person to
change, to forsake, abandon, and depart from the old sinful ways.
At the rapture, we will be changed incorruptable.
1 Corinthians 15
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed, [236 allasso]
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed. [236 allasso]
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality.
apostasia and metatithemi can both mean "to fall away".
apostasia and metatithemi can both mean "to depart" from a person,
place, or thing.
apostasia and metatithemi can both mean a "change" in that a
defection/apostasy is a change of heart, and the rapture is a change.
apostasia and metatithemi (in their related words, metathesis &
aphistemi) can both mean "to remove".
Enoch was raptured. Metatithemi. Apostasia has much in common with metatithemi (used to describe Enoch's rapture).
laqach (hebrew)
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took [laqach] him.
03947 laqach {law-kakh'} a primitive root; TWOT - 1124; v
AV - take 747, receive 61, take away 51, fetch 31, bring 25, get 6, take
out 6, carry away 5,
married 4, buy 3, misc 26; 965
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire,
buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
Enoch's rapture also is described with the word, laqach, which has much in common with harpazo, the main word for rapture.
laqach and harpazo can both mean "to take"
laqach and harpazo can both mean "to seize"
laqach and harpazo can both mean "to snatch away"
laqach also carries the meaning "to marry, take a wife" which is
a strong rapture parallel.
harpazo (greek)
1Thess 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up [726 harpazo] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
726 harpazo {har-pad'-zo}
from a derivative of 138; TDNT - 1:472,80; v
AV - catch up 4, take by force 3, catch away 2, pluck 2,
catch 1, pull 1; 13
1) to seize, carry off by force
2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly
3) to snatch out or away
See also: Mat 11:12, Mat 13:19, Jhn 6:15, Jhn 10:12, Jhn 10:28, Jhn 10:29, Act 8:39, Act 23:10, 2Cr 12:2, 2Cr 12:4, Jud 1:23, Rev 12:5
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take [726 harpazo] it by force. [726 harpazo]
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away [726 harpazo] that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take [726 harpazo] him by force[726 harpazo], to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth [726 harpazo] them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall [726 harpazo] any man pluck [726 harpazo] them
out of my hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and
no man is able to pluck [726 harpazo] them out of my Father's hand.
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away [726 harpazo] Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take [726 harpazo] him by force [726 harpazo] from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
2 Corinthians 12:
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the
body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
such an one caught up [726 harpazo] to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body,
I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up [726 harpazo] into paradise, and
heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling [726 harpazo] them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all
nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up [726 harpazo]
unto God, and to his throne.
When Jesus came, people wanted to "harpazo" him (come and take him by force and make him King) in their rebellion & revolt against Rome.
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take [harpazo] him by force [harpazo], to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Harpazo is very close in meaning "to be removed" which is a meaning shared by root words of apostasia and metatithemi
Understanding leads to healing & salvation
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Not understanding leads to falling away & apostasy.
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
harpazo = "catheth away" in Matt 13:19.
The word harpazo is used in Matt 13:19 to describe a falling away from the faith, like an apostasy.
Why is harpazo used for how Satan catches away something? This verse teaches us that harpazo and apostasia are used similarly. We should stand up and take note of that! Apostasia, as a religious departure from the faith, is used as harpazo in this same sense.
alah (hebrew)
Exodus 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat [alah] him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending [05927 alah] and descending on it.
05927 `alah {aw-law'}
a primitive root; TWOT - 1624; v
AV - (come, etc...) up 676, offer 67, come 22, bring 18, ascend 15,
go 12, chew 9, offering 8, light 6, increase 4, burn 3, depart
3,
put 3, spring 2, raised 2, arose 2, break 2, exalted 2, misc 33; 889
1) to go up, ascend, climb
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go up, ascend
1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat
1a3) to go up, come up (of animals)
1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation)
1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon)
1a6) to come up (before God)
1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary)
1a8) to excel, be superior to
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away
1b2) to take oneself away
1b3) to be exalted
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up
1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away
1c3) to bring up, draw up, train
1c4) to cause to ascend
1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally)
1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts)
1c7) to exalt
1c8) to cause to ascend, offer
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be carried away, be led up
1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in
1d3) to be offered
1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Many times this word alah is translated as "went up" but means "depart". Such as, Gen 45:25 And they went up [05927 alah] out of Egypt...
In this manner, a departure, as in the apostaisa, can easily also mean
"went up" to heaven, as in the rapture.
paralambano & aphiemi (greek)
Paralambano and it's derrivations are also words used to describe the rapture.
paralambanetai - word for "taken" in Matt (Young's Literal translation
is "received")
afietai - word for "left" in Matt
Matt 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken [3880
paralambano (joined) ], and the other left. [863 aphiemi (abandoned)]
Matt 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be
taken [3880], and the other left. [863]
paralhfyhsetai - word for "taken" in Luke (Darby's translation is "seized")
afeyhsetai - word for "left" in Luke (Darby's translation is "let go")
Being taken away and seized by force like being arrested (a harpazo)
Luke 17:
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the
one shall be taken [paralambano], and the other shall be left [aphiemi].
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken [paralambano],
and the other left [aphiemi].
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken [paralambano],
and the other left [aphiemi].
paralambano's primary meaning is to join to one's self. This is fitting with the Bible's description of the marriage of the Church to Christ.
Ephesians 5:
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head
of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives
be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth
his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth
it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall
be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and
the church.
3880 paralambano {par-al-am-ban'-o}
from 3844 and 2983; TDNT - 4:11,495; v
AV - take 30, receive 15, take unto 2, take up 2, take away 1; 50
1) to take to, to take with one's self, to join to one's self
1a) an associate, a companion
1b) metaph.
1b1) to accept or acknowledge one to be such as he professes to be
1b2) not to reject, not to withhold obedience
2) to receive something transmitted
2a) an office to be discharged
2b) to receive with the mind
2b1) by oral transmission: of the authors from whom the
tradition proceeds
2b2) by the narrating to others, by instruction of teachers
(used of disciples)
863 aphiemi {af-ee'-ay-mee}
from 575 and hiemi (to send, an intens. form of eimi, to go);
TDNT - 1:509,88; v
AV - leave 52, forgive 47, suffer 14, let 8, forsake 6, let alone 6,
misc 13; 146
1) to send away
1a) to bid going away or depart
1a1) of a husband divorcing his wife
1b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
1c) to let go, let alone, let be
1c1) to disregard
1c2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic)
1c21) of teachers, writers and speakers
1c3) to omit, neglect
1d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
1e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
3a) in order to go to another place
3b) to depart from any one
3c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all
mutual claims are abandoned
3d) to desert wrongfully
3e) to go away leaving something behind
3f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
3g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
3h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
3i) abandon, leave destitute
Paralambano is also the word used in:
John 14:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
[paralambano] you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The reason why apostasia is the perfect word is that it simultaneously describes the falling away from the earth, the departure from the earth, the removal of the Bride, the change into incorruption, the rapture; and the subsequent descent of the rest of the world into spiritual darkness and rebellion when the light of true Christians are removed.
epairo & hupolambano
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; [epairo] and a cloud received [hupolambano] him out of their sight.
1869 epairo {ep-ahee'-ro}
from 1909 and 142; TDNT - 1:186,28; v
AV - lift up 15, exalt (one's) self 2, take up 1, hoisted up 1; 19
1) to lift up, raise up, raise on high
2) metaph. to be lifted up with pride, to exalt one's self
1909 epi {ep-ee'}
a root;; prep
AV - on 196, in 120, upon 159, unto 41, to 41, misc 339; 896
1) upon, on, at, by, before
2) of position, on, at, by, over, against
3) to, over, on, at, across, against
142 airo {ah'-ee-ro}
a primary root; TDNT - 1:185,28; v
AV - take up 32, take away 25, take 25, away with 5, lift up 4,
bear 3, misc 8; 102
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed
to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death,
or by violence
3i) cause to cease
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up [1869 epairo] your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take [airo] him away [airo], and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took [airo] them all away [airo]; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
5274 hupolambano {hoop-ol-am-ban'-o}
from 5259 and 2983; TDNT - 4:15,495; v
AV - suppose 2, answer 1, receive 1; 4
1) to take up in order to raise, to bear on high
1a) to take up and carry away
2) to receive hospitably, welcome
3) to take up
3a) follow in speech, in order either to reply to or controvert or
supplement what another has said
4) to take up in the mind
4a) to assume, suppose
2983 lambano {lam-ban'-o}
a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an
alternate in certain tenses; TDNT - 4:5,495; v
AV - receive 133, take 106, have 3, catch 3, not tr 1, misc 17; 263
1) to take
1a) to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing
in order to use it
1a1) to take up a thing to be carried
1a2) to take upon one's self
1b) to take in order to carry away
1b1) without the notion of violence, i,e to remove, take away
1c) to take what is one's own, to take to one's self, to make
one's own
1c1) to claim, procure, for one's self
1c1a) to associate with one's self as companion, attendant
1c2) of that which when taken is not let go, to seize, to lay
hold of, apprehend
1c3) to take by craft (our catch, used of hunters, fisherman,
etc.), to circumvent one by fraud
1c4) to take to one's self, lay hold upon, take possession of,
i.e. to appropriate to one's self
1c5) catch at, reach after, strive to obtain
1c6) to take a thing due, to collect, gather (tribute)
1d) to take
1d1) to admit, receive
1d2) to receive what is offered
1d3) not to refuse or reject
1d4) to receive a person, give him access to one's self,
1d41) to regard any one's power, rank, external
circumstances, and on that account to do some
injustice or neglect something
1e) to take, to choose, select
1f) to take beginning, to prove anything, to make a trial of,
to experience
2) to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back
868 aphistemi {af-is'-tay-mee}
from 575 and 2476; TDNT - 1:512,88;
v
2) to stand off, to stand aloof
2c) to fall away, become faithless
2g) to keep one's self from, absent
one's self from
2476 histemi --stand
647 apostasion {ap-os-tas'-ee-on}
neuter of a (presumed) adj. from a derivative
of 868
646 apostasia {ap-os-tas-ee'-ah}
feminine of the same as 647; TDNT -
1:513,88; n f
AV - to forsake + 575 1, falling away 1; 2
1) a falling away, defection, apostasy
2Th 2:2 That
ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by
word, nor by letter as from us, as that
the day of Christ
is at hand [standing in, present]. [1764 enistemi]
2Th 2:3 Let
no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away [standing off,
absent] [646
apostasia, (from aphistemi)] first, and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition;
In other words,
it's a play on words going on in 2 Thess 2, with enistemi and apostasia,
a compare and contrast. The day of
the Lord won't
stand in and be present, until the standing out being absent (At the pre
trib rapture, which must come
first).
Basically "it won't be here until you are not here" is the message of the
word comparison & contrast going on.
2 Thess 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken [1096 ginomai] out of the way.
1096 ginomai {ghin'-om-ahee}
a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb;
TDNT - 1:681,117; v
AV - be 255, come to pass 82, be made 69, be done 63, come 52,
become 47, God forbid + 3361 15, arise 13, have 5, be fulfilled 3,
be married to 3, be preferred 3, not tr 14, misc 4, vr done
2; 678
1) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being
2) to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen
2a) of events
3) to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage
3a) of men appearing in public
4) to be made, finished
4a) of miracles, to be performed, wrought
5) to become, be made
The rapture is when the Bride is married to Christ, and taken up, or caught up to the heavenly bridal chamber of the many mansions in heaven.
Here are the other two verses where this word "taken" from 2 Thess 2:7,
ginomai 1096, is used in the
Bible to mean "to be married".
John 2:1 And the third day there was [1096] (5633) a marriage [1062] in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married [1096] (5638) to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married [1096] (5637) to another man.
Using the meanings of ginomai, isn't the rapture of the church the ginomai -- (to come to pass and be fulfilled, of the miracle to be performed, the arising of the marriage that will come upon the stange and appear in history)? There's even the term "arise" as part of the definition of ginomai.
Thus, to answer that age-old question, who is the "he" that will be
taken out of the way.... it is none other than the one to be married, the
Church, the Bride of Christ.
Since the rapture happens "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye", and the Day of the Lord is a long process, the rapture and the Day of Christ are not the same thing, and it is invalid to put "rapture" for "day of Christ" in 2 Thess 2:2, or "that day" in verse 3.
Furthermore, it is clearly wrong to think that the Thessalonians were frightened into thinking that the rapture was at hand, or present. Nobody can be living "during the time of the rapture" when the rapture happens "in a moment".
They thought the tribulation of the darkness of the Day of the Lord was present and at hand. Amos describes what they were afraid of.
[Amos 5:18] Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end
is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.
[Amos 5:20] Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light?
even very dark, and no brightness in it?
2 Thess 2
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit,
nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at
hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away [646 apostasia] first, and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
They already were told that the Day of the Lord was darkness, back in 1 Thess 5, and that they would have no part in it.
1 Thess 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that
I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we
are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be
sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken
are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate
of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even
as also ye do.
In 1 Thess 5:2, previously, the coming or start of the day of the Lord is identified as the rapture, which comes as a thief in the night. The coming as a thief, is a clear example of the rapture as a "bridal abduction" part of a wedding, as shown in the conclusion of the book of Judges Chapters 19-21.
The "sudden destruction" like a woman in labor, from which there is no escape is all a reference to the beginning of the tribulation, which will see the beginning of the gog/magog war (Ezek 38,39), the sending of the strong delusion (2 Thess 2:11), and the apostasy of 2 Thess 2:3, and the revealing of the man of sin (Dan. 9:27), the casting out of Satan from heaven, and a warning of "woe to those in the earth" at that time. Rev. 12:4-12.
The day does not take them as a thief, our Lord Jesus Christ is the one who takes them as a thief. Once again, showing that they will not be in the Day of the Lord.
As if all of that wasn't enough, a most clear and oft-quoted pre tribulation rapture statement is given in verse 9, "god hath not appointed us to wrath".
This is why, Paul admonished them that he told them all of this already.
2 Thess 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
So, a scriptural reading of 2 Thess 2:3 is:
That day of tribulation shall not come, except there come the rapture & rebellion first, which will reveal that man of sin.
The revealing of the man of sin takes place in Daniel 9:27, when he performs his first public action in fulfillment of prophesy. He "confirms the covenant with many for seven"... Which is the start of the seven years of tribulation. By the middle of the week, he will perform the abomination of desolation, and sit in the temple and declare he is god, as in 2 Thess 2:4.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
2 Thess 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called
God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of
God, shewing himself that he is God.
2 Thess 2:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
In addition to the meaning of rebellion from the faith, apostasia also carries the meaning of rapture. It means both things, and I agree with both meanings. It, therefore, is the perfect word to use in context of 2 Thess 2, when the Church at Thessalonia thought they had missed the resurrection. By affirming that the Thessalonians were a part of the true Church, he was refuting the idea that they had fallen away into apostasy, and refuting the idea that they had missed the rapture.
[2 Tim 2:18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
There are those who argue that the pre trib rapture is false. If so, then according to them, the the pre trib rapture, by definition, is an apostasy.
That's exactly what I'm saying... the apostasia also means "rapture".
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away [646 apostasia] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
I recognize that was a straw man tactic... Really critics say that the pre trib rapture TEACHING is false, and they believe that the TEACHING is a part of the false teachings of an apostasy which comes first. However, I find it very amusing and interesting that the critics, if they are not careful with their words, will confirm that apostasy means rapture, when they say the rapture is false doctrine...
It's very ironic. As if the Word of God cannot be argued against on this point, for if one denies that apostasy can be referring to the rapture, (in order to deny a "rapture-comes-first" reading in 2 Thess 2:3) then simultanesouly one is calling pre trib rapture an apostasy; and thus, ends up confirming it.
There are several cases in the the New Testament where people who were inspired by evil meant one thing with their words, but their words confirmed a great spiritual truth that had been hidden.
First, 1 Cor 2:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known
it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
John 11:
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and
said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans
shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same
year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should
die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year,
he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together
in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him
to death.
Not only is verse 50 above an accurate prophesy, but also verse 48.
Second, the religious leaders, fearing those preaching about Jesus...
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Of course, that is the gospel message, that we should be covered by the blood of Jesus. They said it in fear, as if they would be held responsible for the death of Jesus, and be killed by the mob. Which, of course, is also part of the gospel. All of us, by our sins, are responsible for the death of Jesus, and we must die and be born again.
Thirdly, we also have Baalam and his curse. Every time he tried to open his mouth to curse Israel, a blessing came out instead.
I believe it is the same with apostasy meaning rapture. The argument
is impossible to refute without unintentionally confirming it with one's
words.
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