"Harpazo" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Mistaken Belief

Many “mistakenly” believe that before the 7 year tribulation period begins, that they are going to be taken out [Raptured] out of this world to be with Christ, in that, he will make some kind of “invisible” return near the vicinity of the Earth "prior" to his "final return" just as the age we are in now is about to conclude. This belief is based on the "visions" that a young girl Margaret MacDonald had “received” back in the late 19^th century. These visions were later made popular by the famous Bible Commentator John Darby, and they were made popular even more in the "Left Behind" novels. It is a teaching that has been propagated and spread by many Evangelist's ever since. This is a very dangerous and misleading demonic teaching.

False Evangelist's?

But, what does the Bible really say? Who will be involved in this being “gathered” or being “caught up” to him when he finally appears? Many of those who propagate the false and dangerous Pre-Tribulation notion today are some of the World’s most famous evangelists. John Ankerberg, Chuck Missler, Hal Lindsay, Grant R Jeffrey. These are but a few names to be sure that are propagating this false and very dangerous notion, and thus giving "false hope" to many "vulnerable souls" that really do believe that they are being taken out of this world prior to this 7 year tribulation period beginning. Though these Evangelists do excel greatly in other areas with regards Bible knowledge, this is one area where they do fall short on.

What Does The Bible Really Say?

We know that Christ has come once, and he will come again, but nowhere in scripture does it say that he makes some kind of invisible appearance between his first coming and final arrival. And, this arrival will be just prior to the close of this age, and just after the days of the Great Tribulation, he [Christ] arrives at the blowing of the 7th and final trumpet.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke: Christ’s Discourse on the Last Days

When we read the Gospel accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus described a series of events [with one continual timeline] that would mark the last days prior to his "final" coming. But, "nowhere" in that discourse does he say he will return invisibly to take any of his followers out of the Earth before the Tribulation events begin. These events grow even more intense as the world heads on into the last 3.5 years of mankind’s history, these last days are what are known as the Great Tribulation. It will, as the Bible account says, it will be after these days that signs will be then seen in heaven just prior to Christ’s final arrival. All of these events described by Christ are 70^th week events, and they are all happening on one time line, from the time of their very beginning until the time of their conclusion. And, nowhere in this discourse does Christ ever say he will come and take those who follow him away out of the harms way of these tribulations that are about to come upon the face of this earth. If anything, he said that he that endures to the end is the one that will be saved. Jesus in John 17 also prayed that his servants "not be taken out of the World", but "that his Father should watch over them" due to the one that is the ruler of the world. And, to enter the Kingdom, one must do so by going through many "tribulations".

Who Will Be Taken To Heaven?

No one will be taken or raptured out to join Christ in Heaven. Many of these evangelists that propagate this false notion believe that they are going to be “raptured” and taken out when these horrific events are set to occur. And, God's Kingdom will be one that will be on the Earth, and Christ will rule over that Kingdom. So, if Christ will be on the Earth, why they inherent desire to go to Heaven, when flesh and blood cannot enter there?

The Word Rapture [Not Found in the Bible]

But, this word rapture does not even exist in the Bible. The word rapture is bastardization of the greek word “harpazo” which basically means to be “caught up”, and when we read the account in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, those who are going to be “caught up” in the “air” to meet Christ, they are part of what is known as "the first resurrection" [over which the second death has no power].

1st Resurrection for "Members" of Body of Christ Only

These ones that will be “caught up” in the “air” to “meet“ Christ at this event, they will be members of all those “who have died in Christ” since the time of his departure until the time of his final coming. Remember, when Christ comes again, and when he comes again, he “brings the rewards with him”, and these rewards will be either for good or for bad. Those that are to be “caught up” to him, these will be those who are “members of the true body of Christ”, and it will be "those who have died first" and are "sleeping in the dust" that will rise first. Then, as Paul went on to say, those who are also alive at this event [who are also members of that body] they will also be “changed in an instant” and will also be caught up to meet Christ. They ascend to him as he is descending. They are not “caught up” in heaven, but “caught up” in the “air”. There is no mention at all of going to heaven whatsoever, and not everyone is going to be part of this rapture that so many of these evangelist’s speak of. There are only two resurrections, this first one, which will involve this “harpazo” [being caught up] to meet Christ which occurs at the 7^th and final Trumpet when the Kingdom becomes his, and the Second just prior to the time when the Millennial Reign will have come to its close.

The Demonic Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching

This is a false teaching that had its origins way back at the latter half of the 19^th century, and is a teaching that holds many captive today, just like that of the “Trinity Doctrine”, and is a teaching that will most certainly shatter the faith and the beliefs of many when this does not happen at the opening stages of the rapidly oncoming 70^th week of years. It doesn’t matter who we are, where we come from, we all have one thing in common, and that is that we are all going to go through this crucible of fire when it is set to begin for real.

Great Tribulation: God's Testing Ground to Test All Hearts

No one is going to be taken out of anywhere, and it will be means of this coming tribulation that God will be able to test the hearts of all of those that claim that they love him and serve him. This is the cold and hard reality, but it is up to each and every individual if they want to believe what God says, or what the popular teachings of man has to say on such matters. But, if individuals choose to believe unsrciptural lies, then it will be to their own detriment, as God will let these ones believe in these lies, he will even let strong delusions go to them, so that in the end they will bring the judgment upon themselves for believing such deceptions.

Be Sure of All Things

Instead of being misled by men and what they believe, why don’t you begin your own search and research into God's word the Bible for yourselves? This is all I can ask you to do. It may be the best thing you will have ever done if you do. And, when you discover the real truth, it really will set you free. Are you of such a disposition that you can be like the more noble minded Berean ones? If not, then wouldn't "now" be the perfect time to begin?