2 Thess 2:3-4
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away (“Apostesia”) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

“Apostesia”
2 Possible Meanings
“Physical Departure” or “Departure from The Faith”

Thess 2:3 KJV
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (“Apostesia”) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2 Thess 2:3 NIV
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion (“Apostesia”) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

First 7 English Translations Translated It “Departure”
1384 Wycliffe Bible
1526 Tyndale Bible
1535 Coverdale Bible
1539 Cranmer Bible
1576 Breeches Bible
1583 Beza Bible
1608 Geneva Bible
1611 King James Bible “Falling Away”
No one knows why the translators of the KJV rendered it “falling away” or why others after would translate it “rebellion”.

Rapture
What’s Next For The Believer?

Answer:
The Believers Judgment
The “Bema” Seat Judgement

Romans 14:10
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment (Bema) seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment (Bema) seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

“Scripture teaches that for the believer God’s justice has already been fully and forever satisfied at the Cross in relation to the believer’s sins. If God were to punish the believer judicially for his sins for which Christ has already rendered payment, He would be requiring two payments for sin and would therefore be unjust. Such a concept (punishment for sin) erroneously disparages the all-sufficiency of Christ’s death on the cross.”
Samuel Hoyt, “The Judgment Seat of Christ in Theological Perspective,”

Greek, like English, uses the word “judge” in two senses. One sense in condemnation, while the other sense is the giving out of rewards. The Bible says unbelievers will be judged in the first sense – condemnation, while believers will be judged in the other sense – rewards.

Bema Seat Historical Understanding
This word was taken from Isthmian games where the contestants would compete for the prize under the careful scrutiny of judges who would make sure that every rule of the contest was obeyed (cf. 2 Tim. 2:5). The victor of a given event who participated according to the rules was led by the judge to the platform called the Bema. There the laurel wreath was placed on his head as a symbol of victory (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-25).

5 Judgments
1. The Believers: As To Sin – 30A.D.
2. The Believers: As To Works – Rapture
3. The Jews – Tribulation
4. The Nations – The Revelation
5. The Wicked – Renovation of The Earth

Bema Seat Judgment:
Our Rewards, Not Our Interrogation

1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Five Specific Crowns

Incorruptible Crown
The Victors Crown
1 Corinthians 9:24- 25
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Crown of Life
The Matyr’s Crown
Revelation 2:10
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Crown of Glory
The Elders Crown
1 Peter 5:2-4
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Crown of Righteousness
Those Who Love His Appearing
2 Tim 4:8
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Crown of Rejoicing
Soul Winners Crown
1 Thess 2:19-20
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Other Possible Rewards

Witness
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Worship
Matthew 26:10
But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.

Generosity
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Matthew 10:42
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Anything Done For Christ With The Right Attitude, Motive and Heart Will Be Rewarded

The Enemies of Our Rewards
Selfishness and Laziness

2 John 8
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

Revelation 3:11
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

The Marriage Supper of The Lamb

The Greatest Party of Ages

Revelation 19:7-9
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”