The Falling Away

In a great deal of Catholic writing, there might appear to be a presumption that the machinations of the Antichrist will come about because of the ill will of those who hold to the evil of the Antichrist and are proponents of it. It is true they are evil in their intent and actions, but they are not the reason. The reason, according to Sacred Scripture, is the falling away of those who had embraced the true faith, in Christ.

2Thes:2:

1 ¶ And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him:

2 That you be not easily moved from your sense nor be terrified, neither by spirit nor by word nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

(DRV)

First of all St. Paul warns against date setting, since Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself warned us to not do that.

2Thes:2:

3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition

4 Who opposeth and is lifted up above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.

5 Remember you not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now you know who withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.

(DRV)

Second, St. Paul tells us what not to have anything to do with, namely the falling away – the Apostasy, but for us to remain faithful to Christ.

According to St. Justin Martyr: who withholdeth, he who now holdeth, refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. How can Christ who is the Almighty God, “be taken out of the way?” The answer is by people denying the faith they once held in Him, such as by having anything to do with the Vatican II pseudo-council pantheistic heresies.

Therefore the direction that St. Paul gives us is to be faithful in the faith. The same direction that St. Jude gives us.

2Thes:2:

13 ¶ (2-12) But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth:

14 (2-13) Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 (2-14) Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.

16 ¶ (2-15) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace,

17 (2-16) Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.

(DRV)

Jude:1:3:

3 ¶ Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. (DRV)