Rapture, Part 1
To the critic who says the word “rapture” is not in the Bible. Critic, you are correct. So where does the word “rapture” come? For the answer, we have to go back to the fourth century. The word comes from the Latin translation of the Bible. The Latin translation is called the Vulgate. St. Jerome was commissioned to translate the Bible into the Latin language (Faith Christian Academy, Fourth Grade History). The word is “rapiemur” per http://www.Vulgate.org, The Latin Vulgate New Testament Bible in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. St. Jerome translated the New Testament from the original Greek.
The original Greek word is “harpazo”. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: to seize, carry off by force, claim for one’s self eagerly, to snatch out or away.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. The Greek word for caught up is “harpazo”. Jesus will seize and claim for Himself eagerly those who believe in Him. Once we are claimed, we are forever with Him. If the security of that verse is not enough…
John 10:28-29 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. This is Jesus talking in these two verses. The word snatch or harpazo is used twice. Once we are taken, we have double coverage. Jesus Himself will securely protect a believer. By the Son’s admission, the Father is greater and He has hold of those who believe as well. We are not going anywhere but with God. Talk about eternal security.
The Father and the Son know to “snatch” the believer because they are sealed with the Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
We have eternal security in the triune God. We are “harpazoed” and property of God.
Can we realistically propel and sustain ourselves into the clouds? Talk about hang time… Are we capable of locating Jesus in the clouds? Over what city? How high is He suspended over the Earth? What time is the meeting?
…Just believe…
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