"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above that is called God, or is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thessalonians 2.3,4 KJV

Paul writes this answer regarding the question of "the coming of the Lord and our being gathered to him."- vs 2.1. He says first there will come a great 'falling away' - a time when believers will not endure sound teaching, when they will be more in love with the world than with Jesus. They will change the meaning of the Scripture rather than change their lifestyles. There will be little to distinguish the Church from the world. Those who decide to live according the Scriptural mandates will be seen as radicals to them. Into this adulterated culture the antichrist will appear to fulfill his destiny. The true believers will see him and recognize him and pay a high price for their opposition of him.