Apostasy is turning away from the revealed truth of the Word of God.
Les Feldick defines apostasy as 'that turning away from the revealed truth of the Word of God' (Clip 1). He notes that this is exactly where the church is today. The Greek word 'apostasia' in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is translated as 'falling away' in the KJV, but Les believes it refers to this turning away from truth, not rapture or a mere departure.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 — This verse directly mentions the 'falling away' (apostasia) that must occur before the day of Christ.
The Bible speaks of a 'falling away' in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which is a Greek word 'apostasia' meaning departure or revolt. In Galatians 1:8, Paul pronounces a curse on anyone who preaches a different gospel, which is a form of apostasy. The Bible warns against turning away from the truth, as seen in 2 Timothy and other epistles.
Les Feldick emphasizes that apostasy is the turning away from the revealed truth of Scripture. He points out that many churches today have apostasized because they no longer teach the pure gospel of grace. He also notes that Paul had to deal with apostasy in his own ministry, as seen in 2 Timothy where all in Asia turned away from him. Les warns that those who preach another gospel are under a curse, and that apostasy will culminate with the revelation of the Antichrist after the Restrainer is removed.
Les explains that the word 'apostasia' in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is where we get the word 'apostasy.' It means 'falling away' or a departure from the truth. He notes that the KJV translation has caused confusion, but the Amplified New Testament clarified it as 'the great apostasy.'
Les teaches that apostasy is a sign of the end times. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, he says the day of Christ will not come until the great falling away first occurs. He sees this apostasy as a departure from the truth of the gospel, which is prevalent in the church today.
Les points to Paul's ministry as an example of apostasy. In 2 Timothy, Paul writes that all in Asia turned away from him, which Les interprets as a rejection of his teaching of pure grace (Clip 6). Also, in Acts, Paul forced Jewish believers to blaspheme, which is a form of apostasy (Clip 4).
Preaching Another Gospel Brings a Curse
Les teaches that those who preach any other gospel are under a curse, highlighting the seriousness of straying from the true gospel.
Definition of Apostasy
Les defines apostasy as turning away from the revealed truth of God's Word, using the Greek word 'apostasia'.
Why Israel Rejected God as King — 1 Samuel 8 Explained
Now, as we're looking at all this, keep your mind back on Genesis 12 when God called Abraham and made that covenant with him that they were to be a nation of people living in the land who would in turn be under his sovereign kingship. And then if they would have been a nation of believers, God would have used them to take a knowledge of himself to all these heathen around him.
The Word Apostasia in 2 Thessalonians
Les discusses the translation of 'apostasia' and clarifies that it means 'falling away' or apostasy, not a physical departure.
Why the Law Can't Save You — Romans 7:5-14 Explained
And so that's what he's admitting here, see, from his standpoint now as being the apostle. Having received authority from the chief priests, verse 10 again, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice, and if you have a margin, a better word is vote. I voted against them, or I voted to have them put to death, and I punished them often.
The Weapons of Our Warfare — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Explained
So he said, being absent I'm bold toward you, but I beseech you that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. Now do you see what he's saying? There were people out there, probably amongst his congregations, who did not recognize his divine appointment as an apostle of Christ, because…
Turning Away from Paul's Teaching
Les explains that believers in Asia turned away from Paul, illustrating apostasy in the early church.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
When I first saw that my hair stood on end, because that is a complete violation of the text and it changes Paul's whole position. If he is just another apostle, then he is a liar, because he claims in all of his letters as he defends his apostleship, that it was to him and him alone that God revealed these great doctrines of grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:3: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
This verse is the key reference for apostasy in the end times.
Galatians 1:8: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
This verse shows the seriousness of preaching another gospel, which is a form of apostasy.
Apostasy is the deliberate turning away from the revealed truth of God's Word. It is a falling away from the faith.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it says 'there come a falling away first.' This is the apostasy that precedes the day of Christ.
Les teaches that churches have apostatized by turning away from the gospel of grace and embracing legalism or other false teachings.
Watch the Teaching: Why Preaching Another Gospel Brings a Curse — Galatians 1 Explained