Trust :: By Holly Spate

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles, Holly Spate

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

TRUST

One lesson I’m continuously learning is to trust. Trust God in ALL things. Trust Him when life is beautifully going along, and trust Him when life seems to be falling apart. In all circumstances, I’m called to trust. And, in all circumstances, you are called to trust…. We all, as believers, are called to trust.

What does that look like?

When tragedy hits and we can’t make sense of what has happened, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When life takes a turn and we lose a job through no fault of our own, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When someone we love dies who has not been given long years in this life, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When treated unfairly or overlooked, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When personally going through or watching others struggle with health issues, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When deliberately hurt and feel betrayed, we’re told, “TRUST.”

This has been a rough month for our family. Some unexpected storms have come. But, through everything we’ve experienced. I hear God continually, lovingly saying, “TRUST.”

TRUST… that I know best.
TRUST… that I have a plan and purpose in the pain.
TRUST… that I see your tears.
TRUST…that I hear your cries.
TRUST… that I am beside you.
TRUST… that I have you in the palm of my hand.
TRUST…that I will provide for your every need.
TRUST…that I love you unconditionally.
TRUST…that I will work all things together for your good.

Through every trial, through every tear, I’m called and you’re called to trust. This life we live is not always easy. This life does not always seem fair. We may look around and feel perplexed when we see some people soaring through life with barely a scratch and others trudging through with battle scars.

We may question why many seem to have an easy road compared to others who trek uphill through rugged terrain.

Matthew 5:45 says, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

This verse reminds us that no one is immune to trials and hardships… no one.

Part of trusting is knowing that we can’t see the whole picture, but God does. He is the author of our lives. Like a puzzle, He holds the pieces and is creating the picture. We may not be allowed to see the missing pieces of the puzzle, the holes left to be filled, but God sees clearly, and every piece is in His care; not one is lost.

He promises he’s working for our good. If we love Him, we will trust Him no matter what storms come or how hard the path is that we must walk. It may be difficult, but it’s not impossible because Matthew 19:26 says, “but with God all things are possible.”

That’s just it… that’s the key… “with God.” We can never, nor will we ever, have peace in this life when the storms come… a peace which passes all of our own understanding, except by holding to the truth that God is trustworthy and we can lean on Him and trust Him when we don’t understand.

When going through a difficult time, my mind is bombarded by “Why’s.” I often think that one day, when we all get to heaven, God will allow us to see the picture clearly. All the “why’s” we’ve experienced in life will change to “Wow…. God was always at work.” We will understand and see how every struggle, every hurt and disappointment, fit into the bigger picture. It’s impossible to have all the answers here and now, but we can have some peace in knowing that God has all the answers, and we can have peace amidst the “Why’s” in our lives. We can experience peace in the pain because God is trustworthy.

In this life, on this imperfect earth, all we can do is trust. Trust in the only One who has all the answers and sees fully the entire picture… past, present and future.

If we’re trusting, we’re obeying. If we’re trusting, we’re leaning on Him and not ourselves. If we’re trusting, we understand that it’s not our job to try and make sense of it all because we won’t always be able to. If we’re trusting, we can bring ourselves to keep praising because we know God is with us, and He alone is trustworthy.

While preparing this article, I decided to look up trust in Webster’s Dictionary. I wanted to share the various descriptions and definitions attached to the word. I found them interesting.

Trust (noun):
: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
: one in which confidence is placed
: dependence on something future or contingent: HOPE
: CARE, CUSTODY
: a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
: something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another

Trust (verb):
: to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of: BELIEVE
: to place confidence in: rely on
: to hope or expect confidently
: to commit or place in one’s care or keeping: ENTRUST
: to permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving
: to place confidence: DEPEND
: to be confident: HOPE
WOW!

There are so many comforting verses in the Bible that talk about trust… so many verses about God’s presence and His promises. All given to encourage, strengthen, provide comfort and give hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

This verse has brought comfort during difficult times in my life.

When I lost my uncle, who I was very close to, this verse reminded me to trust.

When job losses and changes have come, this verse reminded me to trust.

When I saw others excelling in life, and I felt like my life was standing still, this verse reminded me to trust.

When I was perplexed by a trial or storm, this verse reminded me to trust.

Trust me; there will be times when you may look around and begin to compare your battle scars… don’t. Comparison steals joy. Comparison causes envy. Comparison cripples progress. Comparison chips at our ability to trust completely. It’s hard not to go there (at times very hard), but you have to focus on Christ and put your trust completely in His capable hands.

You are journeying with Him, and everyone’s journey and trials look different and are different.

And yes, there will be people in life who will never experience the trials you are going through. They will never be able to understand or relate. They may even judge what they don’t know. I think of Job and what he went through… how the people in his circle responded to his trials.

But God knows. There is a reason… there is a purpose.

Everyone is hurting in some way.

Every time you trust, your faith grows.

Every time you trust, your character grows.

Every time you trust, your testimony shines brighter.

Life comes with changes, challenges and trials, and no one escapes them. We all struggle. We all have hardships. Some may seem to go through more than others, but not one person in history past, present or future has been immune. We all have been affected.

This world is not perfect, and we’ve been told we will have trials and tribulations along with joys and mountaintop moments.

As believers, we will go through things; it’s part of life. But as believers, we have the assurance that we will not go through them alone. We are promised our Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, will be right beside us, hearing our every cry, seeing our every tear, knowing our every struggle. And with every trial, there is an opportunity… a choice to be made: Will we choose to trust Him, and will we trust Him completely?

It should bring peace to know He is the only constant that never changes.

He is trustworthy in all things understood and all things not understood.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 145:14 “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Psalm 56:8 says, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God wants us to take every tear, every trial, to Him. He wants us to lean on Him and not our own understanding. He wants us to understand that although we will endure trials, He will never leave us or forsake us.

He wants us to have complete confidence in knowing that although we live in an imperfect world, He is perfect. His ways are perfect. His plans are perfect. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Creator of all. He knows all; He sees all.

There will be many things this side of heaven we will never understand. Perhaps in heaven, God will allow us to see the whole picture… every piece of the puzzle perfectly in place. But for now, we may never understand God’s plan in the trial or suffering we are going through, but we can understand that He is good and perfect in all His ways.

As His children, we can rely on the truths which He has given us.

Truths like, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God promises that one day (maybe soon, the way signs are quickly converging in the world), He will call us all home. In the twinkling of an eye, we will forever be changed and forever, for all eternity, be with our Heavenly Father.

It’s amazing to know that we haven’t even really begun life… we have all eternity ahead of us! Our time here is just a speck compared to all eternity.

Until that wonderful day arrives, we are called to keep on keeping on, fully putting our trust and faith in God. And we’re reminded that not only are we to trust, but we’re to give thanks in season and out of season. Psalm 34:1-3 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Not always easy to do, but easier to do if we are putting our trust in our heavenly Father.

No matter what struggles you may be going through, know with 100% certainty that the Lord is right there with you, and He promises to never leave you. There is a purpose in the pain.

Keep persevering, keep leaning into Him, keep trusting, keep praising, keep shining bright.

One day, this sinful world with all its struggles, problems and injustices will all be behind… a thing of the past. As believers, we need to remember our hope is not in the things of this world or anyone in this world. Our hope is in firmly resting and trusting in our Lord and Savior. And one day, we who have put our trust in Christ will be called up to forever be with the Lord.

No matter what your struggle, look up because you have hope. In Christ, you always have hope.

Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

spate.holly@gmail.com

2 Thessalonians 2:3 – A Rebellion Interpretation :: By Mark A. Becker

Published on: by RR10 Category:General Articles

Recently, I wrote an article – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – The Day of Christ and ‘Apostasia’ – that focused on the interpretation of “apostasia” as a physical departure, or the rapture of the church; an interpretation I have held to for many years as contextually it seemed to make the most sense.

In this article, though, I am going to represent the other side in this debate, namely, that “apostasia” should be defined as a “rebellion or a revolt of the masses against God.”

I have prayed and meditated on this subject and have come up with, what I believe to be, a very interesting and viable interpretation of what exactly this “rebellion/revolt” would have to be, when exactly it will take place, and the overall contextual interpretation and its relationship in whole to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8.

Important Notes

Whenever we mention “apostasia” as a stand-alone word within this study survey, the context will always be that of the “rebellion/revolt of the masses against God.”

As an important reminder – and this is very important –there is a definite article involved with “apostasia,” which means that this is an extremely significant event and/or period in time that is absolutely unique. So much so that no one would be able to deny that it has taken place. This is not an “apostasia,” or “rebellion/revolt of the masses against God”; it is the “apostasia,” or the “rebellion/revolt of the masses against God.”

An Obvious and Logical Objection

To begin, we will focus on what can only be described as difficulties within this interpretive view.

In the last portion of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – The Day of Christ and ‘Apostasia,’ we asked some questions. Those questions were concentrated on the idea that “apostasia” was a “falling away from the faith.” In this study, we will utilize those same questions and replace “falling away from the faith” with “rebellion/revolt against God,” as these same questions are just as applicable to our investigation here.

Here are the questions from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – The Day of Christ and ‘Apostasia’ that I would like us to consider.

If this is, indeed, a “rebellion/revolt against God,” how is one to know this event when they see it? How is one to observe this so-called “apostasy” and know that the Antichrist is ready to be revealed? How is one to gauge or measure this event and know that it has undeniably occurred? Wouldn’t a “rebellion/revolt against God” be entirely subjective?

… People have been in “rebellion/revolt against God” since the beginning.

And who would decide that this “rebellion/revolt against God” has reached the point where it should be obvious, to the people who will witness it, that the Antichrist should finally be revealed?

End of quote from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – The Day of Christ and Apostasia.

Thankfully, in this study, we will offer the reader what we believe to be some logical and rational answers to these questions.

Problems With the Timing of the Rebellion/Revolt Against God

It has been my observation that when it comes to the timing of the “rebellion/revolt of the masses against God” question, those who hold to this view have offered weak responses to when they believe this will happen.

Here are the four most common answers I have heard to this question:

1. There will be a “rebelling/revolt against God” to a much greater degree in the Tribulation than there was before the Tribulation, and this will be the “apostasia.”

Objection: While in a certain sense, this may be true, the truth is that people’s hearts regarding a “rebellion/revolt against God” will be no different during the Tribulation than before the Tribulation, only that they will not have as much of a deterrence in executing their evil ways in the Tribulation as they did before the Tribulation. Their heart of a “rebellion/revolt against God” will not have changed. Rebels are rebels, and rebels against God they are in both instances.

2. We are already seeing the “apostasia” with the globalists’ agenda for a New World Order or Great Reset.

Objection: The globalists have always been seeking to go back to Babel ever since the dispersion. Though they are making much greater and visible strides today than they were in the past – which we would expect in the last days – their “rebellion/revolt against God” has always been the same. And where is the Antichrist if this is so?

3. The “apostasia” will effectively be in the Tribulation.

Objection: We did not mention this in the first two points, but it also applies to them, and that is the truth that people will be coming to Christ in the Tribulation in great numbers. Remember, the “apostasia” must be a worldwide phenomenon.

4. The “apostasia” will occur in the Great Tribulation when all the nations of the world give their power and authority to the Antichrist, the people worship him, and Antichrist sets up his Mark of The Beast economic and worship system.

Objection: As with the first three, there will be multitudes coming to Christ in the Great Tribulation and will refuse The Mark of The Beast and will not worship the Antichrist.

In all, all four of these popular theories fall woefully short. The “rebellion/revolt against God” must be worldwide and all-encompassing.

Two Important Truths Regarding Rebellion/Revolt Against God

  • We are all born into rebellion/revolt against God through an inherited sin nature passed down to us from Adam.
  • When it comes to the “apostasia,” the appropriate way of looking at this is the “rebellion/revolt against Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!”

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” – John 3:17-19

The rebellion/revolt of the entire world against Messiah Yeshua is the “apostasia” we are seeking to define as we move along.

What is the Key to Understanding When This Rebellion/Revolt Will Take Place?

In my article QFTBOC: Salvation in the Tribulation, I made the following observations concerning 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, and embedded within my explanations on this passage lies what I believe to be the key to understanding when this event will take place.

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he [Antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” – 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (emphasis mine)

“Out of the midst” is the literal translation of the Greek words “ek mesos,” which is translated in our passage above as “out of the way.” The Holy Spirit, who resides in every believer, will be taken “out of the midst” of the world at the rapture of the church. Therefore, it is the church itself – with the indwelling Holy Spirit of God – that is taken “out of the midst” and, along with the Holy Spirit, is the combined entity that has been restraining unabated wickedness and the rise of Antichrist on the earth for two-thousand years.

It’s two-dimensional, so to speak. The Holy Spirit is in the midst of each believer, and the body of Christ is in the midst of the world…

The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent

The Holy Spirit – the Ruach HaKodesh – is the third person of the triune God. As the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit clearly displays God’s omnipresence. Consequently, God’s Holy Spirit will most certainly be omnipresent during the Tribulation. In fact, if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit convicting men and women of their sins, no one could come to Christ during the Tribulation at all. Because the Holy Spirit is God, He will still be quite active and present during the Tribulation, being the omnipresent Spirit that He is!

As we have noted, the Holy Spirit will not be taken away from the earth, as the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. The church will be taken from the earth; hence, the active working of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ will no longer be present to keep evil at bay, as has been the case since the Holy Spirit indwelled the Jewish believers at Pentecost in Jerusalem.

The one thing we do know is that when the rapture does occur, there will be zero people on earth who will have the indwelling Holy Spirit within them. This would indicate, to me, that this is what is meant by Paul’s statement that “… he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way (or ‘out of the midst’).”

End of quote from QFTBOC: Salvation in the Tribulation.

Did you catch it? Here is another hint. I made the comment in another article that after the rapture occurs, not one single person on earth could it be said that they love God.

The two keys are: There will not be one person on earth after the rapture that will have the Holy Spirit living in them and not one person on earth who will love God but will, in fact, be in “rebellion/revolt” against the Savior, Messiah Yeshua. They all, up to this point, rejected the Savior!

Additionally, this will be the only time in human history – past, present, or future – that God will not have a remnant on earth! Everyone alive on earth will literally be in “rebellion/revolt against Christ!”

When will the “apostasia” begin? Immediately after the resurrection/rapture of the bride of Christ!

When will the “apostasia” end? When the first convert to Christ occurs! (Though the unbelieving world will still be in outright rebellion to our Lord throughout the Tribulation.) God will finally have a remnant of one, and it will grow rapidly! Or, maybe, one of the 144,000 Israeli witnesses will come to Christ first, or all in unison. Either way, there must be a first conversion or conversions to reestablish God’s remnant on earth.

The Interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is Virtually Unchanged Regarding the Rapture!

This interpretation actually allows the figurative rapture of the church to remain, much like the competing idea that the “apostasia” is the physical departure of the church. How?

Well, you cannot have the event of the “rebellion/revolt against Jesus Christ” without the rapture! In a very real sense, one is absolutely dependent on the other. Let us examine this.

A Quick Study of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Below is the KJV version with the definite articles added, “that day” removed and replaced with “it shall not be” (as “that day” is not in the original), and “the falling away” in the KJV changed to “apostasia,” knowing that our working definition is the “rebellion/revolt against Messiah Yeshua” that will immediately follow the rapture.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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. Let no man deceive you by any means: for it shall not be, except there come the apostasia first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

The Thessalonians were being told that they were already in the Tribulation and that the Lord’s Second Coming – the second phase of “the day of Christ” – was “at hand,” “to be upon,” “soon to come,” or “impending.” The Apostle Paul was attempting to set them straight by pointing out three major events that proved they were not in the Tribulation.

We will dissect this in greater detail in just a bit.

Next, Paul expands on the Antichrist and reminds the Thessalonians that he had already taught them this.

“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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” – 2 Thessalonians 2:4-5

Then Paul gives them a summary of the correct order of prophetic events.

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

Analyzing 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

Now, let us dissect 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 and then offer a more detailed analysis. Please pay close attention to the [numbers] and the [event or person].

Keys:

[1] = Holy Spirit and the rapture

[2] = Antichrist

[3] = Jesus Christ’s Second Coming

“And now ye know what withholdeth that [2] he [Antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only [1] he [the Holy Spirit] who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way [literally “out of the midst”]. And [2] then shall that Wicked be revealed [the Antichrist], whom [3] the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [the Lord’s Second Coming].” – 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, analyzed and individually defined in order of mention:

“And now ye know what withholdeth that

Defined: The Holy Spirit through the church is “what withholdeth” the Antichrist from being revealed.

[2] he [Antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:

Defined: An introduction to the fact that Antichrist cannot be revealed until certain events occur and that the spirit of Antichrist, or “the mystery of iniquity,” was alive and well even when Paul wrote these words (1 John 4:3).

[1] he [the Holy Spirit] who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way [literally “out of the midst”].

Defined: The rapture is personified by the Holy Spirit as He indwells believers and will be taken “out of the midst.” That is, there will be no human beings on earth that will have the indwelling Holy Spirit inside of them after the rapture takes place – as all those who are left on earth are in “rebellion/revolt against Jesus Christ” – setting the stage for Antichrist to come on the scene.

And [2] then shall that Wicked be revealed [the Antichrist],

Defined: The Antichrist will be revealed after the rapture of the church.

whom [3] the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [the Lord’s Second Coming].”

Defined: Jesus Christ destroys Antichrist at the end of the Tribulation – the second phase of the “day of Christ – at His Second Coming!

Analyzing 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

The same three events – with the “apostasia” representing the event that immediately follows the rapture – are highlighted in 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, but they are dealt with in different sequences, and with more mentions, because Paul was correcting the Thessalonians for erroneously believing they were already in the Tribulation and thinking that the Second Coming was about to take place.

Again, we will first dissect the passage and then offer a more detailed analysis.

Keys:

[1] = Rapture

[2] = “Day of Christ” the Second Coming

[3] = “Apostasia”

[4] = Antichrist

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [1] by our gathering together unto him [the rapture], 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 [2] the day of Christ is at hand [the Second Coming, the second phase of the “day of Christ”]. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [2] it shall not be [the Second Coming], except [3] there come the apostasia first [the “rebellion/revolt against Jesus Christ” with no person alive who accepts and loves the Savior], [4] and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition [the Antichrist].” – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, analyzed and individually defined in order of mention:

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [1] by our gathering together unto him [the rapture],

Defined: “… by our gathering together unto Him” is Paul emphasizing an important truth to the Thessalonians; that they should only be looking for this event, the rapture. But since they were being deceived, Paul would go on to remind them of two events that anyone who is left behind after the rapture should expect to see.

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 [2] the day of Christ is at hand [the Second Coming, the second phase of the “day of Christ”].

Defined: The Thessalonians were being told that they were already in the Tribulation and that the second phase of the “day of Christ” – the Second Coming of Christ – was “at hand,” “to be upon,” “soon to come,” or “impending.”

Let no man deceive you by any means: for [2] it shall not be [the Second Coming], except [3] there come the apostasia first [the “rebellion/revolt against Jesus Christ” with no person alive who accepts and loves the Savior],

Defined: The second phase of the “day of Christ” shall not come, except there come the rebellion/revolt against the Lord Jesus Christ – and this event will be first. First before what?

[4] and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition [the Antichrist].”

Defined: Antichrist cannot be revealed until the “apostasia” – a 100% worldwide rebellion/revolt against the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, is present.

To reiterate, Antichrist will be revealed after the “apostasia” commences, which, again, follows straight on the heels of the rapture.

Conclusion

I pray the reader has enjoyed our study survey into the alternative interpretation regarding the Greek word “apostasia.”

What’s fascinating about the “apostasia” being a rebellion – and placing this rebellion in the only place where it should be, as I believe we have done here – is its relationship to the rapture, and the ramifications are profound.

When we consider the “apostasia” being initiated a split second after the resurrection/rapture of the church, we come to an amazing realization that the idea of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 proving a pre-Tribulation rapture is still fully intact! As we noted earlier, you cannot have the 100% worldwide “rebellion” occurring on earth without the church’s removal!

For this truth, I, and hopefully everyone who reads this study – no matter what side of the fence you are on in this debate – will find great joy and comfort.

At the very least, I pray that both sides are comforted by the prospect that the pre-Tribulation rapture is clearly taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 and visibly in view in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, knowing and understanding the correct order of progression: Rapture, a worldwide rebellion against Jesus Christ, Antichrist, Tribulation, Jesus Christ!

In the end, and as always, let the reader be the judge.

May we all keep striving to keep Answering the Call of The Great Commission and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks us, “Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?”

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

➢ Email: mab10666@yahoo.com – I would love to hear from you!

➢ If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and are seeking answers about God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and salvation, please email me at mab10666@yahoo.com for information.

➢ I am still taking questions for the Questions from the Body of Christ series. If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.

➢ To view my entire catalog of articles, please visit my Home Page on FaithWriters.com.