Article: The Doctrine of the Rapture of the Church

I Thessalonians 4:13-17

Due to space restraints I will not be able to go into great detail concerning this all important subject, therefore I want to include a suggestion of material that will give you more information.  My suggestion is the book “BRO. SWAGGART, HERE IS MY QUESTION ABOUT BIBLE PROPHECY…” and two Study Guides, “GOD’S PLAN FOR THE AGES” and “A STUDY IN BIBLE PROPHECY”.

The primary purpose of this article is to deal with the two words “caught up” in Verse 17.  But first I feel it’s important for you, the reader, to know that many Theologians believe I Thessalonians was the first Book that the Apostle Paul wrote.  If that is true then the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to include this great Doctrine in the first Book written in the New Covenant.

“CAUGHT UP”

Though the word Rapture is not used in the Text it does come from the words “caught up.”  The Latin word is “Raptus” which in English we devise the words “rapt” and “rapture,” meaning “to be lifted up and carried away.”  Also it means “ecstasy or joy.” In the Greek Text the words “caught up” is “Harpazio” and has four distinct meanings.  These are

“TO CARRY OFF BY FORCE”

This tells us that Satan and his demon spirits who rule the worlds system will not be able to stop the departure of the Saints of God, with the Lord using force if necessary against Satan’s powers.  Paul in Ephesians 6:12 wrote:  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  THE EXPOSITOR’S STUDY BIBLE notes state:  “Our foes are not human; however Satan constantly uses human beings to carry out his dirty work.”  “But against principalities” the notes state that this refer to rulers or beings of the highest rank and order in Satan’s kingdom.  “Against powers” refers to “the rank immediately below the principalities.”  “Against the rulers of the darkness of this world”:  “those who carry out the instructions of the powers.”  “Against spiritual wickedness in high places”:  “This refers to demon spirits.”

The reader must understand that there is much more demonic activity today in the world than one may realize.

“TO SNATCH AWAY”

The second meaning of the word “Harpazio” means “to snatch away” referring to the fact that the Rapture will occur so suddenly that it will take the whole world by surprise. Can you imagine in a split second untold numbers of Believers all over the world will be taken away in the blink of an eye.

“TO SIEZE AND CARRY OFF SPEEDILY”

This refers to the use of Divine Power transferring the Believer swiftly from one place (earth) to another (Heaven).  The Holy Spirit reemphasizes the suddenness of this great event.  That is why the Believer must be ready, must be expecting this great day to happen at any moment.  We must not grow complacent or lethargic, but anticipating the Rapture could take place at any time.  The Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 13:5 said, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the Faith; prove your own selves.  Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?” The word “examine” here means “to test, to try.”  In other words, we should try ourselves to see whether Christ truly lives in our heart and life.  It is no enough just to say “I believe”; we must test ourselves continually.

“TO CLAIM FOR ONES SELF EAGERLY”

The idea of this meaning is that the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom who comes from Heaven to claim His Bride, the Church, to eagerly take us up with Him to Glory. What a day that will be when the Trump of God will sound and corruption will put on incorruption, mortality, immortality (I Cor. 15:51-58).

As the song says, “Some day soon, Church I’m leaving, going to a meeting around the Throne.”

Are you ready?  I pray you are.