As you hinted at in your Feature Article, “The Great Apostasy” of 10-19-13, apostasy has been with the Church since it came into being at Pentecost almost 2,000 years ago. Because apostasy in the Church has been more the rule than the exception, don’t you think a more reasonable exegesis of 2 Thes. 2:3 would be a confirmation of the pre-trib rapture by using the word “departure” to translate the Greek word “apostasia”?
It is true that the root of the Greek word apostasia (which is aphistemi) can be translated “departure.” But apostasia is not translated that way in any of the major translations. Aside from 2 Thes. 2:3 apostasia only appears in Acts 21:21 where it’s translated “forsake”. This supports the view that it defines a change of mind rather than a change of physical location.
But you don’t have to rely on a singe obscure word to prove the pre-trib rapture. Romans 5:9, 1 Thes. 1:10, and Rev 3:10 all clearly state that the Lord will save (rescue, keep) us from (out of the time and place) of God’s wrath.