In previous posts I have shown that the Greek word episunagoge appears only three times in Scripture. It appears twice in Hebrews 10:25 where the word is wrongly used to compel attendance at churches made with men’s hands. And it appears once in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 where the context is more clear: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him…” (2 Thessalonians 2:1 KJV) Here the word’s “gathering together” render the Greek word episunagoge. It is also important to note that the word “coming” here translates the Greek word parousia. Thus we have seen that the passage that included Hebrews 10:25 relates especially to the time around Christ’s second coming. But, when is that?
The book of Thessalonians gives us many clues concerning this time. Continuing, chapter two reads, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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…” (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 KJV) Here we see two specific conditions that must exist before Christ can return. First, there must be a “falling away.” Second, the “man of sin” must be “revealed.” I propose that both have occurred and that every other condition one may find in Scriptures concerning his coming has happened.
The words “falling away” above render the Greek word apostasia. Other translations simply use the transliteration “apostasy” to translate it. The word apostasy traditionally means “to fall away from accepted church doctrine” or “to desert one’s faith or religion.” Most Bible teachers say that the word speaks of the time when churchmen will abandon God’s truth and teach the doctrine of demons instead and, of course, many point to blatant examples of false church doctrine today to say that the time of Christ’s return is near. Christ’s return is near, but this interpretation is not accurate.
The word apostasia comes from the word apostasion which literally means “something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce.” Interpreters of the Bible have always thought, then, that apostasia meant to separate from the truth, or to divorce oneself from the truth. It doesn’t. It speaks of separating from and divorcing the harlot church, Mystery Babylon, when the man of sin is revealed.
The church made with men’s hands, the established church whether Catholic or Protestant, has always taught false doctrine. Prayers to the saints and the “virgin Mary” began centuries ago. The established church, whether Catholic or Protestant, killed those it determined to be heretics, the exact opposite of the love it was supposed to show. Today all churches preach a mixture of truth and the traditions of men although they are no longer allowed by secular governments to kill their opponents.
The revelation of this hour is that God has given all men over to the beast within them unless and until they begin to practice righteousness. The man of sin, the man of lawlessness, is each one of us who sits on the throne of his heart (spirit) rather than allowing Christ to rule his life. Every man who refuses to practice righteousness is the man “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJ2000) Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 KJ2000)
So, the man of lawlessness has been revealed, the call has gone out to separate (apostasia) from the harlot Babylon (“Come out of her, come out of Babylon!”) Many have now apostasized, myself included. I have not attended a church made with men’s hands for over nine years. I know a few others. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 has now been fulfilled. The LORD’s return is imminent.
