[Safrguns]

>>> Most Dispensationalists do not interpret it as you.

I don’t rely upon the interpretations of others. It doesn’t matter how long they’ve been studying the bible. I certainly don’t dismiss any particular interpretations either unless there is significant evidence to do so.

In this case, I find FAR more evidence supporting the interpretation that “falling away” refers to an EVENT... whether it be the Holy Spirit’s removal from the earth or all Christians being removed from the earth.

The evidence I speak of is other scriptures in multiple books of the bible which refer to the same event.

I find two basic reasons to dismiss the interpretation of “falling away” as referring to the TREND of Christians falling from the faith... 1. As it is a TREND, there is no clear definitive point in time anyone can say that it happens. 2. It signifies a catastrophic failure or defeat of the church which Jesus said would not happen.

It simply makes far more sense to me that what is being said in the scripture here is that the antichrist will not be revealed until that which holds him back is taken away.

[sasportas]

Your is a "Johnny come lately" interpretation. There is no historical support for it. I mentioned Justin Martyr of the ECF who wrote about AD 140 the Antichrist would be "the man of the apostasy" (falling away). Here's another, Irenaeus AD 160, who, writing about the antichrist, interpreted "apostasy" in the passage at issue, 2 Thess. 2:3, for us. I put the word at issue in capitals:

"The apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians:

‘Unless there shall come A FALLING AWAY first, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.

The apostle therefore clearly points out HIS APOSTASY, and that he is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped.'"