What could cause the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3?

Ted's Response:

Initially, before addressing the apostasy issue, I have to say that I disagree with some of your presumptions and assumptions. Although I do believe that the Rapture event will occur just prior to the Day of the Lord period, I definitely do not equate the Day of the Lord with the final seven years of this age, the so-called "tribulation," nor with the final 3½ years of that seven-year period, the "Great Tribulation."

I am convinced that the primary Rapture event will take place after the opening of the Sixth Seal.  Then the Seventh Seal: the Day of the Lord will ensue, during the initial phase of which (the "day of vengeance") God's wrath will be dispensed upon the earth. This will be God's righteous vengeance (Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4)—a direct and specific response to the slaying and spilling of blood, during the Fifth Seal period, of slain believers whose souls will have cried out for God to avenge their blood (Revelation 6:9,10). No longer will the blood from these slain believers be concealed (Isaiah 26:21). It is from this wrath that true believers will be protected (1 Thessalonians 5:9), via the Rapture. (You also may wish to read my response to another email: Is the Pre-tribulation view of the Rapture the correct view?)

Many feel that the decline of morals and values in society, along with increased anxiety from the threat of terrorism, growing inflation, the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and other instability, are resulting in a growing apathy and indifference among Christians. This can be interpreted as an increasing "apostasy" (from the Greek ), culminating just prior to the beginning of the 70th Week (final seven years), when the Rapture event will whisk them all away to be with the Lord, at which time the Antichrist will be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

On the contrary, I do not see it this way at all. For one thing, although no Rapture has occurred, it may be that, with the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the 70th Week already has begun. But even if this is not the case, I see the "apostasy" of which Paul wrote as taking place well after the final seven-year period has begun.

The Rapture will not happen until as late as a year before the end of the seven years (see Why do you believe that the Rapture will take place a year before the end of the 70th Week?). Thus, believers will become extremely disillusioned before the Rapture event does occur, realizing that the trials and tribulations of the 70th Week have begun and they continue to remain here on earth.

Many believe that the "revealing" of the Antichrist will be at the beginning of the 70th Week. However, I see this as the revealing of the antichrist spirit of the man who has been gaining world power for 3½ years and whose "true colors" will become manifest by the midpoint of that seven-year period.

Paul stated this:

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion [apostasy] occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other... (Matthew 24:10).

I believe that many people of all faiths will apostasize, falling away from their belief systems in a world turned upside-down and filled with disasters and utter chaos. This will begin at some point after the 70th Week has commenced and will escalate for believers up to the point of the Rapture (following the opening of the Sixth Seal), and for unbelievers until the return of Jesus to earth, as the Rider on a white horse, to rule and reign (at the end of the final 7 years).