In Thes 2:1-3  there is a discription of the falling away.
The Greek word is Apostasy which means the abandonment of one's religion.
In th original Greek the aritcle "the" is used reffering to a specific event, not some gradual deterioration over a long period of time. In the Latin the word "rapere" is used to describe this apostasy. Rapere is the root for raptor, describing the type of animal that strikes quickly.
It is also where we get the word rapture, that sudden event that will happen in the blink of an eye.
 
Though there is a gradual falling away, this scripture is about a specific world shaking event that will deceive most of the world and cause many who are not grounded in the word to lose their faith. Of course this has to do with the AC and the lying wonders that will occur. The five wise virgins will be spared the consequences of falling for this deception, they will be gone.
 
This is part of what I got from the book The Apostasy. It deals with scenario that may be similar to the setting up of this great deception which involves UFO apperations. An intersting book.
 
To obtain "The Apostasy," send a check for $19.95 and $4.95 shipping and handling to Bill Copeland, 34428 Yucaipa Blvd. Ste E-159, Yucaipa, Calif. ...