In a secular sense, apostasy is abandoning one's political party, principles, or cause. Ancient papyri documents show that the word was used politically regarding rebels. Biblically, apostasy is rebellion against God or the abandonment of faith in God by those once enlightened by the truth. The Greek word *apostasia* (G646) occurs in only two places in the New Testament: Acts 21:21 as forsake, and II Thessalonians 2:3 as falling away. In classical Greek, *apostasia* is a technical term for political revolt, defection, or rebellion. Paul warns in II Thessalonians 2:1-3 that the apostasy must come before the return of Christ, indicating it as a significant event in the latter times.

In II Thessalonians 2, Paul addresses a significant event preceding the return of Jesus Christ, described as the "falling away," derived from the Greek word *apostasia* (G646), which Strong's Greek Dictionary defines as a defection from truth. This term, used only once elsewhere in the New Testament in Acts 21:21, relates to forsaking the truth revealed through Moses, highlighting how Paul's teachings could be misunderstood. A related form, *apostasion*, meaning separation, appears in contexts of divorce, reinforcing the idea of falling away or defecting. In the Septuagint, *apostasia* appears in passages where kings or the nation of Israel rebel against God, turning to alien belief systems, suggesting that the truth forsaken in the end times pertains specifically to God. Paul's prophecy in II Thessalonians 2 indicates that this falling away is not merely a localized event within a small group but a unique, worldwide occurrence, setting the stage for the man of sin, who will wield tremendous influence over mankind through the power of satan. This universal scope implies a defection from truth on a grand scale, creating an environment for this figure to rise to power. Currently, a steady defection from basic biblical principles and the Judeo-Christian ethic is observable, though whether it constitutes the prophesied falling away remains to be seen. This ongoing rebellion against God and His way, often gradual and subtle, mirrors historical accounts in the Old Testament where kings and Israel turned from God to serve opposing beliefs. Paul warns the church not to be concerned about missing the end time, as the events leading to the Day of the Lord will be unmistakable to those with eyes to see, affecting the whole world despite its lack of spiritual understanding.

In II Thessalonians 2:1-3, the apostle Paul introduces two significant signs preceding the day of the Lord, one of which is the "falling away," translated from the Greek term *apostasia* (G646). This word, transliterated as apostasy, carries the meaning of defection or revolt. While many Greeks might interpret *apostasia* as a political revolt, modern translators often render it as rebellion due to the broader context of related prophecies, suggesting a pronounced worldwide breakdown of political systems. However, if this revolt equates to the tribulation itself, the sign would lose its value as a warning, since by the time it is recognized, the tribulation would already be underway. If it indicates a breakdown of law and order leading to the tribulation, it could serve as a meaningful sign to those in the church who are watchful. Alternatively, the King James and New King James versions translate *apostasia* as "falling away," implying a departure from true faith. This departure does not necessarily mean leaving the church but rather forsaking truth while remaining within it. Such a sign would likely be noticed only by true church members, occurring on a small scale compared to other worldwide events at the time. Paul's mention of this falling away, alongside the rise of the man of sin, serves as a critical indicator for God's people to prepare and potentially escape the coming turmoil, pointing toward a gathering together that may relate to a place of safety before the tribulation begins.

The term apostasia has its roots in the Greek language. It relates closely to the word apostle, with the main root of both words meaning stand. An apostle stands for and acts in behalf of another person, institution, or concept, whereas an apostate stands away from or against another person, institution, or concept. An apostate is a person that at one time stood for and with but now no longer stands with but away from and against what he formerly stood for. Adam and Eve were the first apostates. When they sinned, they relinquished their stand for God and chose to transfer their loyalty and stand away from God and to satan. Demas apostatized by forsaking Paul, having loved this present world. Those who went out from us but were not of us demonstrate apostasia. Apostasy from false Christianity has been horrific, with regular church attendance declining from 60% to 6% in Britain over the past 100 years and from around 60% to about 30% in America over the past 40 years.

The falling away is a translation of the Greek apostasia (G646), meaning departure, forsaking, defection or apostasy. In secular Greek the word is used politically of rebels. Thus in the present context it denotes a departure or apostasy from the faith, the revealed truth of God. Such a defection from the true gospel and doctrine was a very real concern for the first-century apostles. Paul, Peter, John, James and Jude all warned of it in their letters. Despite their warnings it did indeed occur as the century wore on. Paul tells us specifically what the unrighteous deception is for which the people depart. In verse 7 he names it the mystery of lawlessness, a set of beliefs that is totally contrary to the truth. This deception is the lie that satan has always foisted on mankind that we do not need to obey God's law. Just in the last decade we too have faced apostasy. How many of the former tens of thousands of brethren in God's church are contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints? How many of these have turned their backs on the revealed truths of God and returned to the twisted doctrines of mainstream Christianity? Paul advises, Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. We should be diligently re-affirming and strengthening the truths we were taught and deepening our understanding of them. In this way we will show we love the truth that we might be saved. Just the fact that we must hold fast the pattern of sound words adds weight to the other signs that these are the last days.

Apostasia differs from hairesis. In II Thessalonians 2:3 apostasia is translated falling away in both the KJV and NKJV. This translation gives the impression that apostasia refers to leaving an organization. Apostasia means to depart from truth. One can remain in an organization and be departing from truth all along. Paul writes in II Thessalonians 2:9-12 that the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved. For this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Loving the truth so intensely that it motivates pursuit of it carefully and diligently so much that it becomes an operative part of everyday life will prove to be the difference between being saved and perishing.