THE FALLING AWAY, the MAN OF SIN, and the DAY OF CHRIST
Since we have been studying the following portions of scripture for many years, we have been less and less confident of the explanations given by the experts and the commentaries. We are not ones to entertain “new light” doctrines or easily bolt from long held traditional teaching of the scriptures. However, we think our view can be no worse nor convoluted than the popular onesthat areheld today.In this study, we have become confident of three things:1. the revealing of the man of sin does not come before the rapture. 2. the Holy Spirit is not the Restrainer.3. the falling away is not the rapture or the great apostasy.
In First Thessalonians, chapter four, Paul discusses solely the pre-trib rapture and resurrection with the Thessaloniansand comforting them in First Thessalonians 4:13-18.Paul previously admonishedthem as to that "patientwaiting for Christ" (1 Thess. 3:5). In FirstThessalonians, chapter five, Paul discusses the "Day of the Lord" and how it shall NOT overtake believers, regarding the "thief in the night" aspect of the "Day of the Lord" and their exemption from it. He also told them, when he was with them, about the man of sin and not to be worried by feelings, rumors, or even letters that Paul had previously written them in that regard in second Thessalonians 2:5.
In Second Thessalonians, chapter one, the second coming of the Lord in power and glory is solely discussed along with Jesus"COMING"with flaming fire to take vengeance and to destroy the "Wicked." (2 Thess. 1:6-10).The Thessalonians were told to “REST”in the fact that both theirs and Christ’s enemies were the ones that were going to experience His punishment and vengeance and not the saved Thessalonians.Christ would be glorified in His saints, when Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In FLAMING FIREtakingVENGEANCEanddestroying the wickedand them that know not God and do not obey the truth. Paul assured them that they would be among those, in whom Christ is glorified, at Christ’s coming in glory IN THAT DAY.
In SecondThessalonians, chapter two, Paul contrasts the rapture or gathering together with the second coming in power and glory (in the day of the Lord) which he spoke about in chapter one.There is not any question about the “gathering unto Him” in Second Thess. 2:1 being the pre-tribulation coming or rapture.In regard to the COMING in Second Thessalonians 2:1, there is a question whether the “coming” here is in reference to the coming in glory or the coming to gather unto Him the saved. There is nothing troubling about the blessed event of the rapture but rather shouldbe a means of comfort to these saints.There are two, possibly three, comforting events that are mentioned in First and Second Thessalonians:
1. The rapture/resurrection at His APPEARINGin 1Thess. chapter 4:13-18, even the GATHERING unto Him (rapture) in 2Thess. 2:1
2. To REST in the COMINGof Christ in fiery glory in 1 Thess. 1:4-10 and the saved Thessalonians’ exemption from the Day of the Lord that begins in 1 Thess. 5:1 – 11
3. The DAY OF CHRIST (Judgment seat of Christ)BEING AT HANDcould or could not be a source of worry, depending on the Thessalonians’ thinking.
We Beseech You BY
Now we beseech you, brethren, BY THECOMING of our Lord Jesus and BY OUR GATHERING UNTO HIMThat ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, AS THAT THEDAY OF CHRIST IS AT HAND. -- 2 Thess. 2:1 -3
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and thedead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.– 1 Thess. 4:13–18
Were the suffering and persecuted Thessalonians being shaken in mind and being troubled because they saw their enemy persecutors were getting away with gross injustice (1 Thess. 1:6-10). Were they worried about the Day of the Lord occurring while they were still here? Did they think that they were going through the tribulation and had missed the rapture, because of all their tribulations? Why were they going through all these, if they were not supposed to go through the tribulation? Some say that they were disturbed at the Lord's coming in power and vengeance. Others say that the Thessalonians may not have fully understood the tribulation period time frame, perhaps thinking that their own tribulations were part of it. There are plenty of theories about their worries and troubles.Still, nothing is conclusive in most of these speculations.Paul beseeches these troubled Christians by the coming of the Lord and the gathering unto him (the rapture/resurrection of the saved) in Second Thessalonians 2:1 so that they be not shaken or troubled by the day of the Lord of First Thessalonians 5 (the day of vengeance). Nevertheless Paul did not beseech them by the tribulation or by the Antichrist.They had not been told to wait for the Day of Christ or the Judgment seat of Christ or the apostasy or the man of sin or the tribulation but to "wait" for his Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:10).
Now, what in the world could be more troubling and less comforting than looking forward to the tribulation or the Antichrist or the day of the Lord? Some say from Second Thessalonians 2:3 that the Thessalonians were worried that the DOC was upon them (at hand) and were being assured that it was not upon them (at hand).Would the Thessalonians be more troubled or shaken at the prospect of the rapture OR with the prospect of the judgment seat of Christ being "at hand?" Did they think that they had missed one or both? How does the fact that the Lord is "at hand" (Phil. 4:5) and the end of all things is "at hand" (1 Pet. 4:7) play into Post-Tribber or even some Pre-Tribber timing? Still, Paul had referred to a certain day being “at hand” (undefined). Could they be afraid of being taken to heaven or getting rewards for their suffering?Faustites and other thousand year, “hell fire for the carnal Christian” advocates would tell us that they were troubled at the punishment that Faustites try to force into the JSOC. Still, no doubt, theThessalonians were not sure about the future time frame and were worried about their fate in the coming future events.
Is the Day of Christat Hand or Not at Hand?
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from thewrath to come. -- 1 Thess. 1:10 (1 Cor 1:8)
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus and BYOURGATHERING UNTO HIM[before the tribulation and second coming in glory], That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us [i.e., 1 Thess 5], as that DAY OF CHRISTIS AT HAND.Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come [italics], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; -- 2 Thess. 2:1 - 3
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) INTHAT DAY – 2 Thess. 1:4 – 10
The setting of 2 Thess. 2:1 - 2 is a persecuted and troubled Thessalonian church, who was undergoing and enduring tribulations. They were to find comfort and REST in the fact that it is the enemies of God and not them, who were going to be recompensed with tribulation (1:6) and vengeance (1:8) at the revelation of the Lord Jesus and His mighty angels IN THAT DAY rather than at the gathering together of the saints unto Him. Paul assures the Thessalonians that they will be gone (one way or the other), when Christ comes in glory, to be glorified and admired, by the saints who endure, remain, and believe, "IN THAT DAY" (2 Th. 1:10). Still, He tells them in 2 Thessalonians, chapter two that whatever day it is shall not come ("IN THAT DAY")until the “falling away” (whatever that is) and the man of sin is revealed in Second Thessalonians 2:3.
Now, there are two ways to read the “as that the Day of Christ is at hand”in italics. They were either not be troubled since the Day of Christ is “at hand,” or they were being told not to be troubled by thinking that the Day of Christ is “at hand.”Should they fear it or look forward to it? The two choices are either that these saints are being told to be encouraged by the Day of Christ or being told not to assume that the day of Christ is upon them. Still, either way that it is understood, it does not change what the Day of Christ is or is not.
What is the Day of Christ?
. . . he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the DAY OF JESUS CHRIST. . . Phil 1:6
. . . that ye may be sincere and without offence till the DAY OF CHRIST . . . Phil 1:10
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the DAY OF CHRIST, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. -- Phil 2:16
. . . waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . that ye might be blameless in theDAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. -- 1 Cor. 1:8
. . . to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in theDAY OF THE LORD JESUS. -- 1 Cor. 5:4, 5
. . . we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours inthe DAY OFTHE LORD JESUS. – 2 Cor. 1:14
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for THE DAY shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide . . . he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. -- 1 Cor. 3:12-15 (2 Cor 5:10)
Rom 2:16 In the DAY when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
. . . waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . that ye might be blameless in the DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. -- 1 Cor. 1:8 (1 Thess. 1:10)
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, ASTHAT THE DAY OF CHRIST ISAT HAND. 2 Thess. 2:2
2Tim 4:8 henceforth there is LAID UPfor me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousJUDGE, shall give me AT THAT DAY: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be JUDGEDby the law ofLIBERTY.
1 Pet 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons JUDGETHaccording to every man'sWORK, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the DAY OF JUDGMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world.
The above passages show what the “Day of Christ” either is or is not, and most prophetic students will agree that the "Day of Christ" refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ in contextalthough they may or may not agree whether the rapture is simultaneous with the Day of Christ. The church age saints are to wait, watch, and look for that blessed and imminent event of the rapture (our gathering unto him). The Day of Christ is the day that the already raptured saints will be declared judicially blameless (1 Cor. 1:7, 8). It is the day that the spirit is judicially saved by fire (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Cor. 3:15). It is a day in which our work shall be judicially revealed by fire (1 Cor. 3:13). It is a day of rejoicing, crowns, reward, blessings, and even LOSS and reward burning to some church saints but is not wrath or a day of day of wrath (2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16).
Post-Tribbers see a problem with Christ performing a good work in the saints UNTILthe "DOC" (Phil. 1:10) and the saints being sincere and without offense UNTIL the "DOC" (Phil. 1:6), supposing that an intervention of time between the rapture and the “DOC”would prevent such language. What offences could the saints commit between the rapture and “DOC” if there would be a gap?Still, Post-Tribbers demand from Pre-Tribbers the absolute juncture of end time things and precise timing of the order of events, but they do not provide with scripture any of their own absolute juncture and timing. Time intervention between one’s death and the Day of Christ (Phil. 1:6, 10) should present them with the same kind of problemfrom death UNTIL the Day of Christ that they see from the rapture UNTIL the Day of Christ as a proposed GAPby Pre-Tribbers.Nevertheless, it is erroneous to call the "Day of Christ"(JSOC) the “RAPTURE” for it occurs sometime after the rapture; it is neither the rapture nor the "second coming in glory."
When is the Day of Christ?
It seems that the time of the Day of Christ or JSOC occurs in heaven at sometime during the tribulation of the Day of the Lord on earth,but most Pre-Tribbers agree that the JSOC occurs after the resurrection and the rapture of the saints. Still, somePre-Tribbers as well as Post-Tribbers mistakenly assume that the “rapture” and the “day of Christ” are simultaneous events and that the "DOC" begins at the same exact moment as the rapture/resurrection. Is there anyone who knows exactly when the Day of Christ (JSOC) begins or how long it lasts? Can anyone prove from the scriptures that the rapture and the DOC events are simultaneous? Is the Day of Christ a moment of time or a period of time? Doesn't any time elapse between the meeting in the clouds and our standing before the judgment seat (Rom. 15:10) with its fiery examination for rewards? One Hour? One Day? One month? Can a time gap be established by scripture? Not directly!
Still, if the "DOC" is the "examination/rewarding period," which begins after the rapture (say, hours removed or even days or months; there still would be enough time between the rapture and the JSOC in order for the Antichrist to be revealed on earth.Also any "apostasy" on earth (if that is interpreted as the falling away) would be the predictable outcome after the rapture of every living saint from the earth. Both the man of sin, the falling away, and the DOC/JSOC could still be in the very same period and still not only satisfy the Post-Tribber’s objections but also the scriptures.
What if the time gap were not hours or days or months but was a three and one half years gap between the Pre-Trib rapture and the Day of Christ or JSOC? Our guesstimate is that the Day of Christ begins somewhere around the midpoint of the seven year tribulation, but we would not insist that the judgment seat cannot start at the beginning of the seven years at some time after the rapture. Still, the tribulation midpoint is in the same time frame in which Satan FALLS from heaven to the earth to empower the antichrist, which shall be revealed then not merely as a dictator but be exposed as the son of perdition, when he shows himself as “God” in the temple and breaks the covenant that he made with Israel.
So, if the Son of perdition is revealed in the middle of the tribulation, that could still be before the Day of Christ (JSOC).The church age saints continue in heaven throughout the entire tribulation. Yet excepting the simultaneous rapture/DOC theory (which no one can prove), the man of sin could still be revealedAFTERthe rapture and before the “DOC” orJSOC. So, then neither the man of sin’s revelation, nor the DOL nor the DOC mustcome before our gathering together. Still, the emphasis, which the scriptures place on the "Day of Christ," is not on any "rapture" but on judgment and "rewards."As for the duration of the DOC, that is not clear. Still we think that the Day of Christ (JSOC) spans some part or all of theGREAT tribulation on earth by possibly including the marriage of the Lamb and the wedding supper. The rewarded and married saints will then, at the end of the GREAT tribulation, saddle up to come back to war on the earth.