There is no evidence to support the claim that ἀποστασία in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is a physical departure i.e. the rapture. A wide range of experts and even some pretrib teachers disagree with this interpretation. Woods has no further evidence to add to this overcooked argument, so why does he rake it up again?
Blue Letter Bible: "ἀποστασία apostasía, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ('apostasy'):—falling away, forsake."1
During Alan Kurschner's debate with Thomas Ice in 2015, Kurschner attempted to settle this false claim once and for all. It was like pulling teeth, but eventually, Ice admitted that he could not provide any evidence to support this interpretation.
Kurschner: "I just want to reaffirm here. You’re just mention that
apostasia can refer to a physical departure, but you’re not able to produce a
single instance in all of Koine Greek literature that apostasia ever means a
physical departure. Is that correct?"
Ice: "I’m not able but Wayne House was."
Kurschner: "Okay. But you’re not able to give us what Wayne House…"
Ice: "I can’t give it to you here." (Debate Transcript p. 57-58).3
The "Wayne House" document provides no definitive evidence that ἀποστασία refers to a physical departure as in the rapture.4 Some early translations interpreted ἀποστασία as "departure", but in context, this refers to a departure from the faith. As Kurschner points out, the noun ἀποστασία in Koine Greek never refers to physical departure, it always refers to political or religious defection.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 is a classic prewrath passage. Paul explains to the Thessalonians that "the day of the Lord" i.e. the Lord's wrath will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. Matthew 24:10). There are thirty parallels between Jesus' teaching in the Olivet Discourse and Paul’s teaching in Thessalonians.5
The day of the Lord's wrath (orgé) is specifically tied to the trumpet and bowl judgements which do not occur until after the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:29 cf. Revelation 6:17; Revelation 8-9,15-16; Isaiah 13:9; Zephaniah 1:14-15 2 Peter 3:10).
Andy Woods is highly regarded and well-buttressed by the pretrib camp. However, he is not beyond the reach of the Lord! Woods and other pretrib teachers should consider the devastating effects of this doctrine on the final generation of believers. It is likely that many pretrib believers will "fall away" due to failed expectations of deliverance from the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:10). Tragically, Olivier Melnick has come out of Judaism only to fall for the false pretrib rapture. How will Woods, Melnick, and others answer to the Lord on the day of judgement for leading many believers into apostasy? I fear for all those deceived by this false doctrine and I also fear for pretrib teachers themselves. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37 cf. Romans 14:12).
The failing reputation of the pretrib camp
Examples:
* Lee Brainard's recent denial of imminence and his defective research into the early Church Fathers.6
* Failed marriage counselor and spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans of Daystar infamy is "transitioning" out of XO Marriage and intends to devote himself to endtimes.com full-time. I have reported on the murky world of Jimmy Evans in previous posts. Evans' uptake of the name Endtimes Ministries is a usurpation of a completely different ministry called Endtime Ministries. Evans' subsequent unethical takeover of Endtime Ministries slot on Daystar is unsurprising given his previous ungodly behaviour.
* Mark Hitchcock is closely associated with Jimmy Evans and has recently endorsed him as an "expert".7
* Mark Hitchcock is closely associated with Jimmy Evans and has recently endorsed him as an "expert".7
* Mark Hitchcock's recent claim that he has discovered "new evidence" of the pretrib rapture in Irenaeus is a regurgitation of old false claims.7
* Hitchcock and Evans recently promoted their new book together.8
* Prophecy Watchers give a platform to false teachers such as Jonathan Cahn who claims to be "prophetic", "Reverend" Donna Howell, Nephilim "expert" LA Marzulli, "prophecy expert" and speculator Bill Salus, and of course, disgraced spiritual abuser Jimmy Evans. 9
* Prophecy Watchers are closely associated with Daystar.9
* Jack Hibbs' shocking endorsement of NAR "apostolic leader" Che Ahn and his continued support of Daystar.9
* Date setter JD Farag predicted that the rapture would occur before the 25th of September 2023.10
* Don Stewart continues to churn out prophecy updates despite his adulterous marriage.11
* Andy Woods credibility issues! Alan Kurschner's strong rebuttal against Andy Woods' "lies" and "evasion of significant arguments" in 2018.12 Critically the pretrib rapture fails the test of the scriptures and is based on the teachings of cult leader John Nelson Darby and defective "Left Behind" theology. (1 John 4:1).
2. Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, ἀποστασία
3. Microsoft Word - Rapture Debate_Alan Kurschner, Thomas Ice Transcript 1.1.docx
4. The “Departure” (Rapture) Seen In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 | Art Licursi
5. 9 Reasons Why the Rapture and Resurrection Occur AFTER the Great Tribulation (Rapture Talks) | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES
6. Pretribulation Lee Brainard REDEFINES Imminence to Mean Signs Must Happen Before the Rapture
Replying to Audio Clips from Lee Brainard’s “Imminence Under Attack”
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Lee Brainard
7. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PRETRIB RAPTURE: MARK HITCHCOCK'S FAKE DISCOVERY AND ENDORSEMENT OF JIMMY EVANS!
8. Pre-Trib Proof! | Tipping Point with Jimmy Evans
9. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: MICHAEL GRANT'S QUESTION: WHY ARE "GOOD" TEACHERS STAYING AT DAYSTAR?
10. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: CRAZED CULT LEADER JD FARAG PREDICTS THE RAPTURE BEFORE 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023
11. Scattered Sheep: January 20, 2012 Show: My Perspective on Don Stewart
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