Falling away.
2 Thess 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; KJV
Final Rebellion translates a single word (cf. RSV "rebellion") which in secular Greek mean "desertion," often associated with treason and rebellion against a lawful ruler. In the Greek Old Testament, including the deuterocanonical books (or Apocrypha), the word is used to describe unfaithfulness to God or the denial of God. This is the meaning of the closely related English word "apostasy." Acts 21:21, the only other place in the New Testament where this term is used, speaks of those who "abandon the Law of Moses" (TEV). The element of rebellion is perhaps implied, and is certainly present in later verses of the present chapter, but the central meaning is that of being unfaithful to, abandoning, or denying something or someone. A previous relationship with the person or belief denied is strongly presupposed. The translation should not, however, specify a denial of faith in Christ, since the context does not refer only to people who have been Christians. GeCL translates "first must many fall away from God." As TEV makes clear, "first" means "before the day of the Lord." Paul is not beginning to number a series of points, and the translation should not leave the reader expecting a later sentence beginning "second" or "next."
In many languages Rebellion can only be expressed as a verb, with some type of indication of those who participate in the rebellion. Until the final Rebellion takes place must thus be rendered in some languages as "until the time when so many people rebel against God," "...turn against God," or "...refuse to have anything to do with God."
(from the UBS Handbook Series. Copyright (c) 1961-1997, by United Bible Societies)
The “falling away” or “final rebellion” is a reference to the rebellion that occurs against God ending in the battle of Armageddon.
