As I have said that those who preach against the pretribulation rapture are fallen into false doctrine and heresy, a question was asked:
The Greek word here for "heresies" is the same word used in Galatians 5:20-21, which says those who commit such things are not saved. Do you believe someone is not saved if they believe the wrong thing about the timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation? If so, based on what scripture?
There are several scriptural reasons why I do not think that "we will explain it [to the posties] on the way up" as some pretribbers so glibly say.
In sum,
1. Faith is important for results. Matt 8
2. How can they pray for that which they preach against.
Luke 21
3. If one is found a liar when the time comes, he is certainly
not worthy. Rev 3, Gal 5
4. They judge themselves unworthy. Acts 13
I will cover these points in detail and give specific scriptures, but first, the verses in question:
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
We don't normally use words such as "variance, emulations, strife, and seditions" in everyday speech, so I decided to look these all up in the Greek. Let's not single out "heresy" alone.
idolatry: 1495 eidololatreia {i-do-lol-at-ri'-ah}
from 1497 and 2999; TDNT - 2:379,202; n f
AV - idolatry 4; 4
1) the worship of false gods, idolatry
1a) of the formal sacrificial feats held in honour of false gods
1b) of avarice, as a worship of Mammon
2) in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it
witchcraft: 5331 pharmakeia {far-mak-i'-ah}
from 5332;; n f
AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and
fostered by it
4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
hatred: 2189 echthra {ekh'-thrah}
from 2190; TDNT - 2:815,285; n f
AV - enmity 5, hatred 1; 6
1) enmity
2) cause of enmity
variance: 2054 eris {er'-is}
of uncertain affinity;; n f
AV - strife 4, debate 2, contention 2, variance 1; 9
1) contention, strife, wrangling
emulations: 2205 zelos {dzay'-los}
from 2204; TDNT - 2:877,297; n m/n
AV - zeal 6, envying 5, indignation 2, envy 1, fervent mind 1,
jealousy 1, emulation 1; 17
1) excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit
1a) zeal, ardour in embracing, pursuing, defending anything
1a1) zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing
1a2) the fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal
1b) an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy
wrath: 2372 thumos {thoo-mos'}
from 2380; TDNT - 3:167,339; n m
AV - wrath 15, fierceness 2, indignation 1; 18
1) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon
subsiding again
2) glow, ardour, the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which
either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength)
strife: 2052 eritheia {er-ith-i'-ah}
perhaps as the same as 2042; TDNT - 2:660,256; n f
AV - strife 5, contention 1, contentious + 1537 1; 7
1) electioneering or intriguing for office
1a) apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put
one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does
not disdain low arts
1b) partisanship, fractiousness
seditions: 1370 dichostasia {dee-khos-tas-ee'-ah}
from a derivative of 1364 and 4714; TDNT - 1:514,88; n f
AV - division 2, sedition 1; 3
1) dissension, division
heresies: 139 hairesis {hah'-ee-res-is}
from 138; TDNT - 1:180,27; n f
AV - sect 5, heresy 4; 9
1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city
2) choosing, choice
3) that which is chosen
4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)
4a) of the Sadducees
4b) of the Pharisees
4c) of the Christians
5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims
from 138: 138 haireomai {hahee-reh'-om-ahee}
probably akin to 142; TDNT - 1:180,27; v
AV - choose 3; 3
1) to take for oneself, to prefer, choose
2) to choose by vote, elect to office
Next, looking up several of the words at www.m-w.com:
em·u·la·tion
Pronunciation: "em-y&-'lA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 1542
1 obsolete : ambitious or envious rivalry
2 : ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)
3 a : IMITATION b : the use of or technique of using an emulator
en·mi·ty
Pronunciation: 'en-m&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English enmite, from Middle French enemité, from
Old French enemisté, from enemi enemy
Date: 13th century
: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
synonyms ENMITY, HOSTILITY, ANTIPATHY, ANTAGONISM,
ANIMOSITY, RANCOR, ANIMUS mean deep-seated dislike or ill will.
con·ten·tion
Pronunciation: k&n-'ten(t)-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English contencioun, from Middle French, from
Latin contention-, contentio, from contendere
Date: 14th century
1 : an act or instance of contending
2 : a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument
3 : RIVALRY, COMPETITION
synonym see DISCORD
var·i·ance
Pronunciation: 'ver-E-&n(t)s, 'var-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the fact, quality, or state of being variable or variant : DIFFERENCE,
VARIATION <yearly variance in crops>
2 : the fact or state of being in disagreement : DISSENSION, DISPUTE
3 : a disagreement between two parts of the same legal proceeding that
must be consonant
4 : a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule <a zoning
variance>
5 : the square of the standard deviation
synonym see DISCORD
strife
Pronunciation: 'strIf
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English strif, from Old French estrif, probably
from estriver to struggle -- more at STRIVE
Date: 13th century
1 a : bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension <political strife>
b
: an act of contention : FIGHT, STRUGGLE
2 : exertion or contention for superiority
3 archaic : earnest endeavor
synonym see DISCORD
dis·cord
Pronunciation: 'dis-"kord
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 a : lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or
ideas) b : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among
persons or factions : STRIFE
2 a (1) : a combination of musical sounds that strikes the ear harshly
(2) : DISSONANCE b : a harsh or unpleasant sound
synonyms DISCORD, STRIFE, CONFLICT, CONTENTION, DISSENSION,
VARIANCE mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or
harmony. DISCORD implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony
producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism
I hope we get the idea by now.
However, a key point not contained in Gal 5, which I note from all these words, is that several of these words involve things that we Christians are told to do! God has put enmity between us and evil. We hate evil. We have a zeal for God. We contend, fight, and war for the faith.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast
professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which
I boast of you to them of Macedonia,
that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very
many.
Thus, not all hating, contentions, fighting, warring, and zeal is bad, despite efforts by the media today, and even some Christians, to brainwash us to think otherwise. I just have to laugh at the homosexual groups who hold up signs when they think they are being pithy or cute or that they are creating some sort of soundbite, when they say, "We must not tolerate intolerance!", because they don't even realize their own hypocracy.
So, with everyone fighting, again, it is all the more crucial to know that which is the truth, because only those who stand on the truth are justified in fighting the good fight, contending for the faith, having a zeal for God, and rebuking heresies. Those who are wrong are like the Jews.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel
is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according
to knowledge.
We are instructed and expected as Christians to seek and know truth from what is false.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We have the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and our own conscience to guide us. To avoid false prophecy and false teaching, we need to know what is true. This takes time use & exercise, Heb 5:14, the Holy Spirit, John 16:13, Study, 2 Tim 2:15, Diligence 1 Peter 1:10, Fear of God, 2 Cor 5:11, and even heresies seem to help showcase the truth, 1 Cor 11:19.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..."
1 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men; but we are made manifest
unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you,
that they which are approved may be
made manifest among you.
Some of the differences that I have seen between the good fight and the bad fight are these:
Good: Fight to glorify Jesus
Bad: Fight to glorify self
Good: Fight to show and explain scripture
Bad: Fight to discredit and ignore scripture
Good: Fight to edify others
Bad: Fight to cast aspersions on others
Good: Fight in harmony with scripture
Bad: Fight in hypocracy
Good: Fight in truth
Bad: Fight in lies
Good: Fight in patience and instruction
Bad: Fight with slander and name calling
Good: Fight using careful observations
Bad: Fight using wild accusations
Good: Fight based in humility
Bad: Fight based in pride
Good: Fight with longsuffering
Bad: Fight with quick temper quick to take offence
Good: Fight with loving rebukes
Bad: Fight with hateful rebukes
Good: Fight expressing the fruits of the Spirit Gal 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Bad: Fight expressing the fruits of darkness Gal 5:19 Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings
I think many people have an extremely difficult time distinguishing the differences, and recognizing their own hypocracy.
False doctrine, or heresy, is a main cause of all of these things. So, the heresy is not just one of a whole group of things. Those who believe the heresies cause all the other things, the bad infighting amongst Christians.
Also, forsaking Christ and the fruits of the Holy Spirit leads to the bad kind of fighting. If there were no false doctrine, no false teaching, no false prophecy, there would be much less fighing.
The way false doctrine comes in and deceives people, is by following the errors of the wicked & teachings of demons.
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
Devils have convincing arguments that appear good on the surface and have deceived Christians, but underneath, neither the false doctrine, nor the deceived Christian will stand the test. Thus, the heresies are absolutely demonic in nature, and those who earnestly seek truth in all the ways the Bible says to seek truth, should be able to eventually "discern both good and evil" with much study, prayer, Holy Spirit and so on, as the Bible tells us.
I have written five other scriptural articles on this and related topics:
Why study about the pretribulation rapture? Why is it important?
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/important.htm
Why is there debate about the end times?
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/debate.htm
The Bible contains "some things hard to be understood" (2 Peter 3:16)
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/understand.htm
The Bible tells you how to understand the bible:
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/understanding.htm
The Bible tells you how to interpret Bible Prophesy:
http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/bible.htm
Now, finally, to answer your question regarding whether or not someone is saved if they believe in false prophecy, such as actively preaching against, or not believing, the prophecy of the pretribulation rapture.
On the most general level, I believe someone might not be saved IN THE RAPTURE if they deny the Word of God, which is Jesus from John 1:1, and are NOT IN TRUTH, in Christ. This is the crucial salvation / not salvation issue. Deny Christ or Confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven.
I would say that a person who actively rejects the pretrib rapture, may not be raptured. It is hard for me to imagine salvation for a heretic who is so involved in rejecting truth, in creating a faction, in following a doctrine of demons, in fighting the bad fight, in leaving the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, all things are possible with God.
Matthew 19:
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,
Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible.
And there are many different people in the group of "not believing in the pretribulation rapture" group.
First, there is the ignorant person, who has never heard of any such
rapture.
Second, there is the person who is unsure.
Third, there is the person who is trying to follow the Bible's advice
to "prove all things" in 1 Thess 5, and has not yet studied the issue or
not yet understood the manner and ways of God that make up a scriptural
proof.
Fourth, there is the person who has never been instructed in the pretrib
view, and has only heard the lies against it, and does not know better,
or have the inclination to do independant study away from those who instruct
him.
Fifth, there are people of history who were Christians and never knew
the doctrine which was popularized prior to the 1800's.
Sixth, I would classify as the hardened, evil hearted, totally deceived,
truth rejecting, pride filled, hypocrite post trib believer, who has studied
the issue, knows the arguments, and has a mindset that looks for and invents
reasons to not believe. The mind of these people is so reprobate,
so evil, so distorted, they are in a class and world by themselves.
Seventh, there is the person who just does not care.
The judgment for all these people will NOT be the same. We will all be judged as individuals.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
This judgment will either include rewards or punishment, or loss of rewards. 1 Cor 3
Further, believing the "pretrib rapture" does not save one. It is Jesus. But more than that, it is also believing Jesus.
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said
unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy
fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:
worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
So, how can one have the spirit of prophecy, and testimony of Jesus, if there is inaccurate knowledge and heretical false ideas surrounding the central theme of prophecy, the resurrection and rapture?
Further, this is not to say that there is no salvation for people who
reject the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture, or that they cannot
be saved. If they are left behind, perhaps they will be saved afterwards?
However, there will be a strong delusion sent by God (2 Thess 2:11) after
the pretribulation rapture, and from what I can gather, it might be very
fitting to the post trib rapture theological view, so that after the pretrib
rapture, those not found worthy of it, and/or those who believe in a post
trib rapture might be fooled into thinking that the tribulaiton has past
already, and that since the rapture happened, it must have been the post
trib rapture. There will even be a mini Armageddon to support this belief.
Read Ezekiel 38,39. So that after the rapture, it may be extremely difficult
to come out of the post trib delusion, particularly considering that
today, the strong delusion sent by God (2 Thess 2:11) has not come yet,
and people still find it difficult to leave the post trib way of thinking.
For more on the end times deception, see http://www.geocities.com/bibleprophesy/deceptionend.htm
I will give you four scriptural reasons why post tribs, I believe, will be left behind.
First, faith plays a large roll, "as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee", Matt 8. Look at the context given in Matt 8:11 & 12 below. It seems out of place to talk of people being cast into outer darkness, given the context of a miracle of healing being performed due to the man's faith. Yet, it is NOT out of context if we realize that if we do not have faith, then we, too, will be cast into outer darkness. The darkness is the Day of the Lord, the tribulation. (Amos 5:18) And faith in what? In the context, people had faith in the miracles of Jesus. Therefore, I conclude that, faith in the promises of Jesus are just as important for results. In fact, the centurion was not even given a promise or any evidence whatsoever for the type of miracle he assumed Jesus would perform for him.
Matt 8:
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west,
and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast
believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame
hour.
[Amos 5:18] Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.
Second, along these lines of having faith, how will post tribs be found worthy to escape in the rapture if they are not praying for this hope, but instead, actively working to squelch this hope in others?
[Luke 21:36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Third, if post tribs are teaching contrary to the Word of God, saying
there is not a pretrib rapture, when there is one, then how can they be
caught up in it? They would not be like the Philadelphian Church,
they
would have "denied his name" and "not kept the word". They would
be proven to be preachers of lies, causing all the variance, hatred, contentions,
strife, debate, envy, emulations, wrath of Galatians 5:20-21 that surrounds
this issue.
Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept
my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they
are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and
worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Fourth, even when I first learned of the pretribulation rapture, I did not consider myself worthy enough to be caught up in it. I did not want it to be true. I was studying prophecy as led by the Bible and Holy Spirit, but I was not saved according to Romans 10:9-10. I had no testimony. Eventually, I learned this simple truth, but at first, all I knew was that I had to read the Bible and believe it and study it. Would I have been caught up in the rapture at that time in my life, even when I came to first believe it? I don't think so. Even today, I know that worthyness plays a part. [Luke 21:36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
So believeing in the truth of the matter is still not enough. Even the demons know Jesus is God!
As I judged myself unworthy, I was like the unsaved Pharisees:
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
I was definitely like the "foolish virgins" of Matt 25, who were also shut out behind the open door.
Matt 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open
to us.
I find it unbelievably hypocritical that a post tribber feels perfectly fine to preach that neither he nor I nor anyone will be caught up in the pretribulation rapture. However, when I preach that they are right, they won't be caught up in it, they fly into a fit of rage.
Consider this open door for a moment that is contained in these verses. It is listed in Rev 3:8 above to the Philadelphian Church. And again spoken of in Rev 4:1. Don't you think there is a connection there?
And there is also another door in Luke 13, which is shut to those left behind, and there are many connection s in these verses with the verse above in Matt 8.
Luke 13
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he
said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you,
will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to
the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying,
Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know
you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence,
and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart
from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of
God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the
north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
In sum, again
1. Faith is important for results.
2. How can they pray for that which they preach against.
3. If one is found a liar when the time comes, he is certainly
not worthy.
4. They judge themselves unworthy.