Thanks for Patrick Heron's video, Pat.  I've seen that video before, and it's a joy each time I see it again.  His book "The Return of the Antichrist" is on my book shelf as well.  It's one I have read more than once, and I learn something new every time.  That word in II Thess. 2:3 which is usually interpreted as "apostasy" really does have the meaning of "departure" as it is translated in the Geneva Bible (which I have open and in front of me at this moment)....

It reads:  "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a DEPARTING first, and that that man of sin be disclosed, even the son of perdition."

I also happen to have Bullinger's "The Companion Bible" open and in front of me at Appendix 104 as Heron indicated.  It has a diagram of it's meaning with a circle explaining "para" (indicating a tangent line), "ek" (a line drawn from the center), and "apo" ! (motion away from a surface).  The book further describes "apo" as:

"Hence, it is used of MOTION AWAY from a place (eg Mt. 3:11, 8:1, Acts 15:38); marking the distance which separates the two places, or the interval of time between two events (eg. Mt. 19:4, Acts 20:18).  It also marks the origin or source whence anything comes, such as birth, descent, residence (eg. Mt. 2:1, 15:1; 21:11,  Acts 10:23; 17:13, or of information (eg. Mt 7:16).
 
"APO may consequently be used of deliverance or passing AWAY from any state or condition (eg. Mt. 1:21, 14:2.  Mark 5:34.  Acts 13:8; 14:15.  Heb. 6:1)."

The remaining definitions are those in comparison to "apo".  The bottom line of the definition seems to indicate being removed from a certain place or condition (via space).

There are many today who are preparing to go through the Tribulation, and some may.  The Philadelphia church is to be "kept from" this time..! .Rev. 3:10.  And we are instructed to "watch and pray" that we are "worthy" to escape these things....Luke 21:36.  I don't know who will be "worthy" in God's eyes or those who will be left behind.  But we all should keep this "blessed hope"....Titus 2:13.

I wrote these things down because they can be absorbed more completely when seen in writing.  And for those, up to now, who have not believed that some will escape these things, maybe this can make a difference.  There are yet far too many who need to be reached with the Gospel....time is short!

Thanks for the great video, Pat!!!

YsiC,

Arlene