For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 NLT
Paul is telling the church at Thessalonica that one of the early warning signs of Christ’s return will be a great falling away (rebellion, apostasy) from The Faith. From the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus also spoke of an end times falling away:
“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:10-12 NLT
Today there is a great falling away from faith in God. There are certainly many new believers coming to faith. In Africa. In China. In the Middle East. But there is simply no denying the sweeping falling away in Europe, the United States, and other countries where Christianity has been the predominant Worldview for centuries (Note 1). While we cannot know whether the present apostasy is the one referred to by Jesus and Paul, we do know this: every generation should live as though Jesus was returning in their lifetime.
Let us be about our Father’s business. The next sound you hear might be that of a trumpet.
- It is also interesting to note the the increase in societal chaos accompanying the apostasy. See here.