The Bible indicates that there will be a great falling away, or apostasy, during the end times before Jesus Christ returns. This apostasy is foretold in several key passages of Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
2 Thessalonians 2:3 says, “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” Here Paul is referring to the coming of the day of the Lord and stating that it will not come until the “rebellion” comes first. This rebellion is likely referring to the prophesied great falling away or apostasy that will occur before Christ’s return.
1 Timothy 4:1
1 Timothy 4:1 states, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” This verse warns that in the last days many will abandon the Christian faith and follow demonic teachings and influences. This departure from the faith is the great apostasy.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 Paul warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” This indicates that as the last days approach, many professing Christians will reject sound Biblical doctrine for false teachings that confirm their sinful lifestyles. This is a key sign of the apostasy.
2 Peter 2:1-2
2 Peter 2:1-2 predicts, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” Peter warns that false teachers will arise who introduce destructive heresies, causing many to follow them and reject true Christian doctrine. This contributes to the end times apostasy.
Causes of the Great Apostasy
What will cause this prophesied mass falling away from the faith in the last days? Some contributing factors may include:
- The rise of false teachers and prophets who lead many astray (Matthew 24:11, 24)
- Increased wickedness and loss of love among believers (Matthew 24:12)
- Persecution leading believers to fall away (Matthew 24:10)
- The coming of the lawless one and powerful deceiving signs (2 Thessalonians 2:3-9)
- Willful blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by unbelievers (Mark 3:28-29)
- Embracing of sins and false teachings due to lack of discernment (2 Timothy 4:3)
- Rejection of sound doctrine and preference for ear-tickling myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
- Hypocritical false teachers driven by greed and sensuality (2 Peter 2:1-3)
- Secular humanism, materialism, and anti-supernaturalism (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Characteristics of the Great Apostasy
What will this prophesied end times apostasy look like? Here are some key characteristics:
- Many professing Christians will abandon the faith, following deceitful spirits and demonic teachings (1 Timothy 4:1)
- There will be a willful rejection of Biblical truth and sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
- False prophets and teachers will rise up, leading many astray (2 Peter 2:1-2)
- Nominal Christians will embrace sin and worldliness (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
- There will be a departure from the faith by former Christians (1 Timothy 4:1)
- False teachers will exploit people for greed and gain (2 Peter 2:1-3)
- Destructive heresies will be embraced over sound doctrine (2 Peter 2:1)
- Persecution and falling away will cause many to stumble in the faith (Matthew 24:10)
- A counterfeit “Christianity” will take form that lacks God’s power and seeks popularity over truth (2 Timothy 3:5)
Will the Apostasy Be Worldwide?
Given these warning passages, the end times apostasy will undoubtedly be a worldwide event inside the professing church. Verses like Matthew 24:12 speak of the increasing lawlessness causing “most” people’s love to grow cold. While apostasy will affect the whole global church, Scripture also indicates that a faithful remnant will remain:
- Romans 11:5 – “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
- Revelation 3:4 – “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.”
- Luke 18:8 – “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This implies Jesus will still find some faithful believers at His return.
So the Bible indicates that the apostasy will be widespread, though not complete. God will preserve a faithful remnant of sincere believers into the end times, though they may be few in number compared to those who fall away.
History of Apostasy in the Church
While the great apostasy will reach its climax in the end times, apostasy has infected the church throughout history in varying degrees. Examples include:
- Gnosticism – From the 1st to 3rd centuries, Gnostics mixed pagan philosophy with Christianity and denied the incarnation.
- Arianism – In the 4th century, Arius denied the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.
- The Great Schism – In 1054 AD, the church split into Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
- Unbiblical Traditions – Over time, traditions like indulgences, praying to saints, and purgatory infiltrated Catholicism.
- The Reformation – Reformers split from the Catholic church in the 16th century over doctrinal errors.
- Liberalism – In the 19th century, liberal theology denied Biblical authority and miracles.
- New Age Movement – In the 20th century, New Age teachings blended Eastern mysticism with Christianity.
While these examples show that apostasy is not new historically, the end times apostasy will surpass them all in scope, teaching demonic heresies and deceiving almost the whole world (Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13:3).
The Great Apostasy versus the Rapture
An important question is when the great apostasy will occur in relation to the rapture. There are differing views:
- Before the Rapture View – This view holds that the apostasy will precede the rapture of the church. Supporters argue it fulfills the prophecy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the “rebellion” will come first before Christ returns.
- After the Rapture View – This view contends that the apostasy will occur only after the rapture, being part of the tribulation period. Supporters say 2 Thessalonians 2 concerns only those left behind after the rapture.
- Overlapping View – This view proposes the apostasy begins before the rapture but greatly accelerates afterward into the tribulation. This accounts for current trends already underway while still allowing for future fulfillment.
Each view has strengths and weaknesses. Given current spiritual decline and deception, it is wise to be alert and on guard against apostasy already at work (Acts 20:28-31). Regardless of one’s rapture position, it is clear apostasy will be rampant in the church prior to Christ’s return.
Protection from Apostasy
How can believers avoid being deceived by apostasy in the end times? Here are some safeguards:
- Study and know God’s Word, which combats deception (Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance into truth (John 16:13, 1 John 2:20, 27).
- Test all teachings against Scripture (Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
- Avoid teachers who twist Scripture and follow worldly trends (Romans 16:17-18).
- Beware mixture of false teachings with Biblical truth (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 5:9).
- Focus on sound doctrine over fables (1 Timothy 1:3-4, 4:1, 6, 16; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).
- Remain rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).
As the great end times apostasy approaches, believers who take heed to God’s Word under the Spirit’s guidance will avoid being tossed to and fro by deceit (Ephesians 4:14). Only by grounding oneself in truth and righteousness can one stand firm against the coming deception aimed at drawing people away from Biblical faith in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible clearly warns of a great apostasy or falling away from the faith happening worldwide within the church in the last days before Christ returns. Key passages predicting this include 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, and 2 Timothy 4:3-4. While widespread, there will still be a faithful remnant who endure. As the return of Jesus draws near, believers must be on guard against destructive heresies and be firmly rooted in God’s Word and Spirit to avoid being led astray.