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THE RAPTURE |
A. Meaning of Rapture
To throw more light on the doctrine 'Rapture', its origin may be necessary.
The word Rapture is from the Latin word 'Raptus', meaning the state, or
experience of being carried away.
It connotes ‘force’
The Greek word, ἁρπάζω
means;
• to seize
• snatch away
• carry off by force
• hold-up;
• Catch (away, up);
• Pluck;
• Pull (by force);
• Take (by force).
This doctrine is found in
I Thessalonians 4:17
“…Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together”
I
Thessalonians. 4:17
Some Christians contend that because the word 'Rapture' is not directly
found in the Bible, it is not Biblical.
Of course, the word 'Rapture' is not
directly mentioned in the Bible just as the word Bible is not directly mentioned in the 'Bible'. Yet, with the mentioning of the word 'Bible', no one has problem whatsoever knowing what one is talking about. In fact,
the word 'Bible' is unmistakably understood, even by a child, to mean
God's word.
In essence, when discussing the authenticity of Rapture, the focus
ought not to be on the word 'Rapture' – as to whether the word exists in the
Bible or not, but rather on what Rapture actually means or represents in God's word.
What does the word Rapture represents in the Bible? That ought to
be the core issue. Does what it stands for exist in the Bible? This ought to be
the crucial question.
What of the word TRINITY?
The word ""Trinity"" does not appear directly in the Bible, but the meaning or concept of God as a Trinity [one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] is supported by various biblical passages.
B Examples of Rapture in the Bible
Are there any prototypes or examples of Rapture in the Bible?
The answer is emphatic 'YES'.
In throwing more light on the answer, examples of Old and New Testament bodily ascension to Heaven is given, as well as the listing of the corresponding scriptures, each followed by a corresponding question, as food for thought.
Remember, God asked a very important question in Jeremiah 32:27,
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard
for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27. The answer is obvious.
The examples below are just a foretaste of much greater things to come. In
fact they are the models of the actual building yet to manifest
| | |
| NAME | SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE | REMARK /
COMMENT |
| Noah | "And Enoch walked with God: and he
was not; for God took him, Genesis
7:24.
This means Enoch was caught up to
Heaven by God and did not die
physically here on Earth. This is
classic example Rapture of the living" | "• Did Enoch die
before going to
Heaven?
• “For God took
him,”
to where?" |
| Elijah | 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. 2 Kings 2:11 This also means Elijah was caught up to Heaven by God and did not die physically here on Earth. This is another classic example of Rapture of the living | • Did Elijah die before going to Heaven?
• If Elijah went up without dying, is it too hard for God to replicate the same?
• Could this depict the Rapture of the living? |
| Jesus Christ | And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. Luke 24: 51 This also means Jesus Christ was caught up to Heaven by God after he died and resurrected physically here on Earth. | Did Jesus Resurrect?
Could this depict the Rapture of the resurrected dead?
This is a classic example of Rapture of the resurrected dead. |
| Philip | “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.” Acts 8:39 This also means Philip was caught away from the Ethiopian eunuch and saw him no more. This is a classic example of Rapture out of sight, never to be seen again by friends still on Earth | • Could this be a model of how Saints will disappear from the world? |
| The two Jewish Tribul ation Proph ets | And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:12 This also means the two Jewish Tribulation Prophets were caught away from the Earth and seen no more. This is a classic example of Rapture out of sight, with a loud shout, never to be seen again by friends still on Earth | “Come up hither”. Could this be a Rapture call?
• “They ascended up to heaven”.
Could this be an example of Rapture of the resurrected dead, and also example of Rapture of the Tribulation Saints? |
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WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM
STRATEGIES
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BY RECOMMENDING THIS
WEBSITE TO ALL YOUR
LOVED ONES, FRIENDS,
FAMILY, YOU ARE
EVANGELIZING:
THAT IS, TAKING THEM
OUT OF
HELL TO HEAVEN
AND GOD WILL BLESS
YOU AS YOU DO SO.
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JESUS CHRIST said in
the Gospel of
John 5 : 24 - 25
Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that
heareth my word, and
believeth on him that
sent me, hath
EVERLASTING LIFE,
and shall not come
into condemnation;
but is passed from
DEATH unto LIFE.
John 5 : 24 - 25
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