How should the saints respond to the falling away?
I was reading 2 Thessalonians 2 and I have been reflecting on the phrase “falling away.”
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 2:3)
What is “falling away”?
The dictionary defines “fallen away” as falling away from something or someone; falling to a lower position; to lose an upright or high position; to be cast down; to be wounded or dead especially in a battle.
The dictionary also defines “falling away” or “fall away” as to withdraw friendship or support; to renounce one’s faith; to dimish gradually in size; to drift off a course. (the free dictionary be Farlex)
In regards to the above verse, “falling away” is from the Greek transliteration apsotasia (strong Hebrew/Greek Concordance G646) which means defection from the truth or forsaking the truth.
Base on all the above definitions it seems as if “falling away” involves separation.
A person who once believe something e.g religion and then later forsake it.
Or a person who once was close to someone or something and then for some reason they have been separated.
This separation can be for a number of reasons. It can be your personal choice or because you are forced to do it.
If you are a soldier in a battle and you have been wounded or even died in battle then your fall was forced upon you.
I like to think of Christians as soldiers for God.
Christians are in a constant spiritual warfare with Satan and his demons (evil spirits).
During this battle it is expected that some soldiers will be wounded by the enemy. God forbid that the enemy kills any of God’s soldiers.
If you are wounded, you are a fallen soldier.
It is expected that your fellow comrades will not abandon you on the battlefield, but they will help you to get treatment.
Think of the story of the good Samaritan. (See Luke 10:25-37)
Likewise, when Christians have fallen away we must not give up on them or cross over on the other side leaving our wounded brethren to die on the side of the road.
Instead, we need to stop and pour in the oil and wine on the wound of the fallen soldiers, then help them to the hospital (church) where they can be treated until they are fully recovered.
The oil and wine, my friends, are mercy, love, compassion (the fruit of the Spirit), prayer and fasting. These should be poured on the wounded soldiers, not scorn or condemnation.
The above verse further states that it is during this time when the soldiers are falling away that the man of sin will be revealed.
Hence, it is the influence of the man of sin that is causing the falling away of the saints of God.
On closer examination of the scripture, it is hard to see this man of sin as a single human being.
I am more incline to believe that it is a sinful system of man that is causing many Christians to fall from their faith.
If you look around in our world today, what system of man has a big influence on people especially the youths?
Which system of man opposes and exalts itself above God?
Which sytem of man is sitting in the temple of God pretending that he is god?
Remember, your body is the temple of God, not stick and stones!
Think about it! I am sure you know the answer.
My fellow brothers and sisters, we are living in crucial time of the revelation of the man of sin.
When this wicked sinful man is revealed, the Lord will return for His bride. Then He will consumed and destroy him with the brightness of His coming.
Therefore, it is imperative that we do not leave any fallen soldiers behind.
Reference: 2 Thessalonians 2
Becoming the Oil and Wine 
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