Many of those who deny the doctrine of the Rapture of the church smugly say the word rapture doesn’t even appear in the Bible. And, to a degree, this is true. Unless you have a Latin Bible, and then everything changes. You see, the Greek word translated rapture in Latin is harpazo and means: “to seize upon, to snatch away, to draw away, to carry off, to catch up, to receive, to pluck out, to rescue, to forcefully take away.”
Rapture is the Latin form of harpazo and is found in the Vulgate which was translated by Jerome in the late 4th century and in the 16th century became the official Bible of the Catholic church.
Consider the following:
Matthew 13:19 – “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away (harpazo) what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
John 10:28-29 – “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch (harpazo) them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch (harpazo) them out of My Father’s hand.”
2 Corinthians 2:2-4 – I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago— whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows— such a one was caught up (harpazo) to the third heaven. And I know such a man— whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up (harpazo) into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Jude 1:22-23 – And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them (harpazo) out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Revelation 12:5 – She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up (harpazo) to God and His throne.
Do you have questions about the coming rapture (harpazo) of the church? Good. Then keep listening.
The following is a study on the rapture of the church.
Download this episode (right click and save)
