The Rapture!

Why doesn’t the word “Rapture” appear in the Bible?

“Nitty Gritty”⇓

When mentioning the Rapture, the first scripture that comes to mind is 1 Thessalonians 4:17.  And there has been discussion as to whether it is true since the word, “Rapture” does NOT appear as is, in the Bible. That is why there is some dispute over its authenticity.

Therefore, let me show you something;  1 Thessalonians 4:17 MKJV (Modern King James Version) says,  “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be with the Lord.”

Now, the Koine Greek  of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 uses the verb form (harpagisometha), which means “we shall be caught up, or taken away, with the connotation that this is a sudden event or rescue.

 

The dictionary form of this Greek verb is Harpazô. Koine Greek is also the language of the Christian New Testament, of the Septuagint (the 3rd-century BC Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), and of most early Christian theological writing  by the Church Fathers. In this context Koine Greek is also known as “Biblical ,” “New Testament, “ecclesiastical” and/or “the church fathers and their writings” in Greek.

That’s why it is used in what we call the “Rapture” in the following scriptures. Which, however, can also be translated as ; “Ecstasy; Delight; Joy; Bliss; Enthusiasm; Eagerness; Euphoria; Heaven & Elation.”

So what does this signify? That many authors maintain that the word Rapture originated along with the doctrine in the 18th century, with the Puritan preachers, (Increase & Cotton Mather), and then was promoted in the 1830’s by John Darby. 

Okay enough with the boring stuff, let’s get to the “nitty gritty!”⇒

This use of the verb is seen in Acts 8:39-MKJV

“And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.”

One of the things I learned after 15 years as a JW is: the scripture you quote to make a point, should not be taken out of context.

Let’s take 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 –MKJV

” For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. vs. 15

For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. vs. 16

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. vs.- 17- Cannot be the Day of the Lord because 

Therefore comfort one another with these words.”- vs. 18

A lot of people have their own views on the matter, however, it is the Word that speaks and the Bible is speaking now.

2 Thessalonians 1:10-12-MKJV

“when He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all those who believe ( because our testimony among you was believed) in that Day. vs. 10

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of the calling  and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, vs. 11

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”–vs. 12.

For everyone shall see Him and know.

In the next verse, we are given a promise , that God’s “wrath” (understood as rage or fury), will not touch us.

 1 Thessalonians 5:9 –MKJV

“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10 – MKJV

“and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.”

Titus 2:13 – MKJV

“looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Do we dare to hope?

1 Thessalonians 13 & 14-MKJV

“But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope.”- vs. 13

 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.” –vs. 14

Daniel 12:1- MKJV

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation; until that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Matthew 24:5 –MKJV

” For many will come in my name , saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many.”

Acts 5:34-37 MKJV

” Then there stood up one in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the Law honored among all the people. And he commanded the apostles to be put outside a little space.-vs. 34

” and he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.-vs. 35

“For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody; a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves to him; who was slain. And all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nothing.- vs.36

“After this one, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of Registration, and drew away considerable people after him. Yet that one perished; and all, as many obeyed him, were scattered” –vs. 37

Just as in those days when the Sanhedrin took heed of Jehovah’s wrath, so must we. There are wars and reports of wars, but there is still no Tribulation up to now.

Matthew 24:6 – MKJV

 “And you will hear wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet.”

Remember that we are delivered from the wrath to come.

Matt: 24:14 – MKJV

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.”

2 Thessalonians 2:3 –MKJV

“Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away*, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition*.”

* 1Tim. 4:1-3- “But the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons, ” –MKJV

*1 John 2:18-“Little children, it is the last time. And just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which we know that it is the last hour.” –MKJV
* Rev. 13:11-18 is the symbolic part containing the antichrist.  “And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. And it had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.  (Rev 13:11 MKJV)

And it exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and those dwelling in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.  (Rev 13:12 MKJV)

And it does great wonders, so that it makes fire come down from the heaven onto the earth in the sight of men.  (Rev 13:13 MKJV)

And it deceives those dwelling on the earth, because of the miracles which were given to it to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the wound by a sword and lived.  (Rev 13:14 MKJV)

And there was given to it to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might both speak, and might cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.  (Rev 13:15 MKJV)

And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads,  (Rev 13:16 MK JV)

even that not any might buy or sell except those having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name.  (Rev 13:17 MKJV)

Here is the wisdom. Let him having reason count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. And its number is six hundred and sixty-six.  (Rev 13:18 MKJV)

 

However, after all these things take place, they shall declare that this a time of “Peace & Security.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 –MKJV

“For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.1 Thessalonians 5:3

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape.” – MKJV

We know without a doubt , that we are not living in a time of “peace and safety.” Quite the contrary, and no one is proclaiming it.

Also, the “man of sin”, has not revealed himself or herself yet, so……..

Matthew 24:44- MKJV

“Therefore, you also be ready, for in that hour you think not, the Son of Man comes.”

So we must conclude that the coming is almost upon us, as the scripture says.

As children of God, we must be diligent, since we now know scriptually. that we are not going through the “tribulation”, as some claim. Apparently, the need to look deeper into the Bible to see what precedes it. So, take Comfort!