The 2nd most debated topic in all of The Bible, after The Trinity, must surely be The Rapture. But while The Trinity is debated between believers and non-believers, The Rapture is debated only between believers.
The doctrine of The Rapture says that all believing Christians will be caught up into the air to meet Jesus before, or at, the time of his return to Earth to judge the nations.
There are 4 different views on The Rapture, and 3 of them are in regards to WHEN it happens, while only 1 is in regards to IF it happens at all.
Let's first look at the evidence in support of whether or not it even happens at all. After that, we can look at when it might happen.
The word "Rapture" does not occur in any English translation of The Bible, so most Rapture deniers cite that as proof that it will never happen. However, a form of the word does show up in The Latin Vulgate Bible as "raptus" which means "to snatch, to grab, to carry off".
Strong's Concordance defines this word (#G726) as meaning "to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)".
Now let's look at the key verses that describe the Rapture event. Notice how clear it is in saying "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air"! This is where people find the inspiration for songs such as I'll Fly away.
In order to fully understand what this phrase means, it is helpful to see where else the original Greek word (harpazō) has been used in The Bible, and to examine the context in which it is used.
It occurs a total of 13 times in the New Testament, here is a selection of verses where it is found:
So being "raptured" is a real thing since it has happened before in The Bible!
The next two examples illustrate a more Earthly use of the word:
In all of the examples shown above, the rapture events are done by a person who has power, and it happened to someone they have (or tried to have) authority over. It is not a means of supernatural travel at will.
Another word that describes a Rapture type of event is the English word "translate". This is what happens to the person who is "Raptured". The study of this word also provides us with an example of someone who probably was the first person ever to be Raptured! The Bible always shows us examples of every doctrine, and this one is no different.
This "translation" is referring to a story in Genesis about Enoch, the father of Methuselah, explaining a very cryptic statement regarding his departure.
Without the explanation in the New Testament book of Hebrews, God taking Enoch could simply mean that he died. But since the word "translate" also means "transport", it implies a physical movement.
If you aren't quite convinced he didn't die, perhaps the example of Elijah will help, as he was the 2nd person to be Raptured.
Nobody knows for certain when this event will happen, but we have lots of clues! Part 2 of this series will discuss that very topic, until then do as Enoch did (have faith and please God), and what Paul said to do (be comforted)
- and we will all meet in the air!
The doctrine of The Rapture says that all believing Christians will be caught up into the air to meet Jesus before, or at, the time of his return to Earth to judge the nations.
There are 4 different views on The Rapture, and 3 of them are in regards to WHEN it happens, while only 1 is in regards to IF it happens at all.
Let's first look at the evidence in support of whether or not it even happens at all. After that, we can look at when it might happen.
The word "Rapture" does not occur in any English translation of The Bible, so most Rapture deniers cite that as proof that it will never happen. However, a form of the word does show up in The Latin Vulgate Bible as "raptus" which means "to snatch, to grab, to carry off".
(Revelation 12:5 Latin Vulgate Bible)The English translation found in the King James Version looks like this:
et peperit filium masculum qui recturus erit omnes gentes in virga ferrea et raptus est filius eius ad Deum et ad thronum eius
(Revelation 12:5)The New Testament was mostly written in Greek, so that is our source language instead of Latin. The Greek word "harpazō" is what is used in the above verse.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne
Strong's Concordance defines this word (#G726) as meaning "to seize, catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)".
Now let's look at the key verses that describe the Rapture event. Notice how clear it is in saying "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air"! This is where people find the inspiration for songs such as I'll Fly away.
(1Thessalonians 4:15-18)It is truly a comfort to know that God has provided an escape from the terrors at the end of this age! The believers in Thessalonica were worried they had missed it since some were telling them that it was the end of the age, so Paul reassured them - and it is a comfort to us as well!
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
In order to fully understand what this phrase means, it is helpful to see where else the original Greek word (harpazō) has been used in The Bible, and to examine the context in which it is used.
It occurs a total of 13 times in the New Testament, here is a selection of verses where it is found:
(2Corinthians 12:2-4)
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
(Acts 8:38-40)In both of the examples above we see a person who was "teleported" from one place to another! That is quite amazing, especially the first one where Paul is taken up to Heaven! It serves as a perfect example of the Rapture to come!
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
So being "raptured" is a real thing since it has happened before in The Bible!
The next two examples illustrate a more Earthly use of the word:
(John 6:15)
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
(John 10:12,28&29)(The other locations where harpazō is used are: Matt 11:12 & 13:19, Acts 23:10 and Jude 23)
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
In all of the examples shown above, the rapture events are done by a person who has power, and it happened to someone they have (or tried to have) authority over. It is not a means of supernatural travel at will.
Another word that describes a Rapture type of event is the English word "translate". This is what happens to the person who is "Raptured". The study of this word also provides us with an example of someone who probably was the first person ever to be Raptured! The Bible always shows us examples of every doctrine, and this one is no different.
(Hebrews 11:5)"By Faith" Enoch "pleased God" are important phrases in the Doctrine of The Rapture. Faithless unbelievers will not be a part of this event.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
This "translation" is referring to a story in Genesis about Enoch, the father of Methuselah, explaining a very cryptic statement regarding his departure.
(Genesis 5:24)Strong's Concordance defines this word (#G3346) as meaning "to transfer, i.e. (literal) transport, (by implication) exchange, (reflexive) change sides"
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Without the explanation in the New Testament book of Hebrews, God taking Enoch could simply mean that he died. But since the word "translate" also means "transport", it implies a physical movement.
If you aren't quite convinced he didn't die, perhaps the example of Elijah will help, as he was the 2nd person to be Raptured.
(2Kings 2:1-3,11)In summary, we can see that many times God has supernaturally transported people up to Heaven and to different places on the Earth. And since we have examples of it happening in the past, the future prophecy Paul told the Thessalonians to have comfort in will happen also.
1 And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth–el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth–el.
3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth–el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Nobody knows for certain when this event will happen, but we have lots of clues! Part 2 of this series will discuss that very topic, until then do as Enoch did (have faith and please God), and what Paul said to do (be comforted)
- and we will all meet in the air!
(Mathew 24:36-44)
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
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