The Falling Away Comes First
by Carl A. Allen
A problem confronting Timothy when Paul wrote the second epistle to him was that of some people, (Christians) believing the "resurrection is past already" (II Timothy 2:17-18). "But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some" (II Timothy 2:16-18).
There was a similar problem with the Thessalonians when Paul wrote to them: "to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand" (II Thessalonians 2:2). In this context it would appear that there were some who had quit their "work" and would not do anything; because they thought the "second coming of Christ" was at hand. So, Paul wrote, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat" (ll Thessalonians 2:10). The problem seemed to be solved by stating "the day of the Lord" had not happened and they needed to go about their daily activities until then. In addition to what is stated thus far, there is another thought added.
"To the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand: let no man beguile you in anywise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin by revealed, the son of pedition" (II Thessalonians 2:2-3). In this passage "the day of the Lord," will not be until the "falling away comes first." The "falling away," was the apostasy Of the New Testament church and the emergence of the apostate church — the Roman Catholic Church.
This passage is affirming that the "falling away," will be first, and then, "the day of the Lord," will be after that. I observe the "falling away," did not come until after the first century, and thus the coming of the Lord would not be until after the "falling away," after the first century.
In the doctrine of 70 A.D.'ism they have it reversed. They have the second coming of the Lord in 70 A.D, and the falling away after that. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus the Holy Spirit said, "the falling away" would be first then "the day of the Lord." Isn't it amazing how false doctrine always gets things in reverse?
