Question:  Dear Greg,

            Can you help with a question about the “great falling away”?  It is being talked about by several of the ladies in our study group lately.  I need to have facts on it.  There is no great falling away I can find in the Bible.  I need a way to handle the questions.  Thank you.

            Shelba

Answer:  Dear Shelba,

            The great falling away is usually a reference to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the NIV translates this as “the rebellion.”

            Little is known specifically about any time setting or exact and specific teachings that Paul has in mind (as God inspired him).  Through the years many have used this text to describe a time when people will leave their particular teachings/congregation/denomination—but we can be quite sure Paul had no specific denomination in mind, but rather something more sinister and evil.

            Many generations have believed that they live in the time of the end, and they have consequently tried to interpret this passage in the light of their culture and reality.  Paul may have had a contemporary setting, in the worship of Roman emperors as gods, etc. in mind, as well as a latter-day application.  Some today believe that our anti-Christian, post-Christian, neo-pagan culture is coming close to a description of what Paul is saying, when men and women will know nothing and want to know nothing of the one true God.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht