Paul’s confrontation with false teaching, particularly in relation to the timing of the resurrection, has strong parallels with modern debates about eschatology, including the pretribulation rapture. In 1 Timothy 1:20, he mentions handing over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan, essentially excommunicating them, because their false teachings were damaging to the faith of others. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 2:17-18, Hymenaeus and Philetus are condemned for saying that the resurrection had already taken place, thereby misleading believers and undermining core Christian doctrine.
The key concern for Paul was the integrity of the gospel and the faith of the believers. For him, the resurrection is a foundational event tied to Christ's return, and any distortion of that could lead believers astray, disrupt the church, and create a crisis of faith. Therefore, he viewed teaching false ideas about the resurrection as a serious offense, worthy of strong disciplinary action.
If Paul were confronted with the modern pretribulation rapture teaching, it’s plausible that he would treat it with similar seriousness, depending on its impact on the faith and spiritual health of the church. The pretribulation rapture doctrine, which teaches that believers will be taken up before a period of tribulation, is a relatively recent interpretation (popularized in the 19th century) and differs from the general resurrection and second coming sequence found in early Christian teaching.
Paul might not have been concerned with minor differences in eschatological detail, as long as they didn’t threaten core doctrines of salvation, resurrection, and Christ's return. However, if any teaching—like the pretrib rapture—caused division, confusion, or misled believers about their readiness for Christ’s return (as some argue the doctrine of "imminence" does), Paul might have taken a strong stance against it.
For Paul, it wasn't just about when the resurrection happened, but whether the teaching led people to abandon the hope of the future resurrection and live improperly in the present. If he perceived the pretrib rapture teaching as leading to complacency or false security, he would likely oppose it just as he did Hymenaeus and Philetus.
— ChatGPT, 2024
