Paul Kocourek toBible Prophecy and Grace
I was teaching adult Sunday School on this passage and saw something I had not seen before.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” (2 Tim 2:16-19, NASB)
For those who prefer the KJV, here is the same passage:
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Tim 2:16-19, KJV)
“Worldly and empty chatter” (profane and vain babblings) doesn’t sound too bad, right? But look more closely at what immediately follows: “it will lead to further ungodliness.” It is ungodliness to indulge in such banter, and it leads to MORE ungodliness. Why? Because it leads to gangrene.
I had a personal encounter with gangrene. My appendix had gone bad inside me; it had died and turned into gangrene. In the doctor’s words, I had “acute necrotizing appendicitis,” what the doctor called the “Big One.” Apparently, if I had delayed treatment just one day, it would have killed me.
So, empty chatter is like gangrene, sickening and if left untreated, turn to gangrene spiritually.
Now, what kind of empty chatter are we talking about? Paul gives an example:
17 … Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.”
These men had “strayed from the truth.” But, what was their error?
Pay close attention here. They said the resurrection had already happened. Now, for the Christian, the resurrection occurs at the Rapture.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thes 4:17)
The greatness of their error was that they had said the believers had missed the Rapture, and by association, they were now in the 70th Week (aka the Tribulation). Yes, that is right. They were saying they were now in the Tribulation, having missed the resurrection which occurs at the Rapture.
This teaching is pretty much the same as Paul’s 2nd letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter 2 where he wrote:
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thes 2:1-2)
Notice that the Thessalonians were AFRAID! Why? Because they had gotten some information that in effect said they had missed the Rapture/Resurrection and were now in the Tribulation! The same error that Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching.
Now, just how bad is this? Here is verse 19: “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Do you see it? To teach that believers will miss the Rapture and instead enter into the Tribulation is “wickedness” (“Iniquity” in KJV)!
The timing of when the Rapture happens in relation to the Tribulation’s seven years is not merely a harmless difference of opinion. To teach ANY Rapture view that puts Christian believers inside the Tribulation is “wickedness”.
It is something to think about. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the truth, and to teach anything other than that is “iniquity”, a canker (gangrene) that upsets the faith of people, just like it upset the Thessalonians.
Some people have said, what does it matter when the Rapture happens, saying, I am a believer, and I will be in it whenever it finally happens. To answer the question, “what does it matter?”, I simply say, The Truth always matters.
Those who teach a Rapture view other than Pre-Trib are teaching a lie that can upset the faith of others. Non-Pre-Tribbers, learn from the example of Hymenaeus and Philetus. Do NOT teach that Believers will enter the Tribulation, for that teaching is wickedness!