Inherit My Holy Mountain

Isaiah 57:13

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain;

The inheritance God promised to Abraham now also belongs to the Church by faith, and we will possess the land and inherit the holy mountain of the LORD. For this to happen, the LORD clearly states one of His conditions here, “Trust Me!” This is a daily process of placing our trust in Him and continuing to trust Him every step of the way. To do otherwise amounts to leaning on our own understanding, trusting in ourselves, and getting in His way. He makes the results of this course of action clear-cut too: let your own devices deliver you, but the wind will blow them all away and leave behind emptiness and foolishness.

See also Walking Through the Fire; Warn Every One; Genesis Walk

Related Scriptures: Genesis 12:1-7; Galatians 3:1-29; Proverbs 3:1-35; Isaiah 31:1-9

It Shall Stand Forever

Daniel 2:44

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

What the Lord GOD purposed through Jesus on the cross will soon be consummated for all mankind. Salvation AND strength. The kingdom of our God AND the power of His anointing (Christ). The power of His anointing will restore all things to His plan and purpose, and purge humanity and the earth of all separation and rebellion. The accuser of the brethren will first be cast out of heaven into the earth, and thereafter cast into the lake of fire forever. The Kingdom of Heaven will remain, and all who enter in will glorify God. Jesus is the door. He alone is the entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

See also To Build and To Plant; In Him That Is True; Jericho Mindset

Related Scriptures: Revelation 12:7-12; Isaiah 10:20-27; Matthew 3:1-12; Hebrews 9:1-28; Malachi 3:1-6; Revelation 20:7-15; John 10:7-18

The Souls Which God Has Made

Isaiah 57:16-17

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid Me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

If not for the covenant God made with Noah the world would perish, along with every soul that God has ever made. If not for His purposeful intention to save mankind through the unveiling of Jesus Christ, every spirit would fail before the blast furnace of His wrath, in righteous judgment of iniquity. In His everlasting mercy God planned the eternal sacrifice of the Lamb from before time had a name, and has performed His Word not to contend with man forever, to fulfill His Seed and make mankind in His image for endless time in fellowship with Him. If He had not given the Lamb from the foundation of the world; if He had not hidden His face from the apostasy of mankind, He would have been honor bound by His own Word to judge and destroy creation. It is only by His Son, soon to be revealed in the heavens, that we, the redeemed, will stand before Him in glory.

See also By Him All Things Consist; Philip Opened His Mouth; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Genesis 6:1-8; Revelation 6:1-17; Hebrews 4:1-16; Isaiah 53:1-12; Genesis 3:15

Christ: The Architect of Souls

1Corinthians 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Christ is the foundation of all creation, and the chief cornerstone. Every stone that is laid in a foundation must line up with the chief cornerstone in order to be effective. Those that do not are removed and replaced with others that will. The restoration of one’s soul depends entirely on receiving the engrafted, incorruptible Word of God and lining one’s thoughts up with the Chief Corner Stone. Thereby we become living stones, and letters written by God to mankind. As it is written,

2Co 3:2-3

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

See also The Mystery of Iniquity; Search the Heart; Building Spiritual Houses

Related Scriptures: 1Peter 1:1-25; 1Peter 2:1-10; Luke 20:9-20; Psalm 23:1-6; 2Corinthians 3:1-6

Christ: The True Foundation

1Corinthians 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

There is no foundation to build upon other than Jesus Christ. He is the basis for all creation. He is the substructure of the universe. The entire concept of foundation rests upon Him, as He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Building the work of God on the True Foundation is the only lasting effort, and He will establish this work. What He does not establish will not remain.

See also The Whole Duty of Man; To Build and to Plant; The True Tabernacle

Related Scriptures: 1Peter 1:3-25; Hebrews 1:1-14; 2Timothy 2:19-21; Hebrews 10:1-39

Walking Through the Fire

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

When you walk more deeply with God, the storms can begin to rage more fiercely. The waters of trouble will rise up like rivers. The flames will be heated up seven times more. Yet God has instructed us to trust and not fear; He has promised to manifest Himself in a glorious way in the midst of every trial. In quietness and confidence, we can WALK through the fire, and the flames will not even touch us. He goes out before us, and He is our rear guard.

See also The Nature of Works Will Be Manifest; God Will Separate His Harvest; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat

Related Scriptures: Daniel 3:16-30; Genesis 15:1-6; Isaiah 52:1-15; Isaiah 30:1-15

They Shall Say, “Peace and Safety”

Daniel 11:24

He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

As the end of the age approaches, the level of deception will increase. The world cries out for "peace" at any cost; for political correctness. Tolerance of evil is just ignorance and will never lead to peace. Jesus spoke of a whole different meaning of peace. The peace He referred to is a level of provision from God that supplies deliverance from oppression, preserves purity of heart and soul, brings healing to the body, and wholeness to the spirit. When the Antichrist projects his wicked devices against the strongholds of God, the people of God will not be deceived. The sudden destruction that swallows the fallen world will pass by like the death angel, leaving the remnant to inherit the peace that Christ will establish during the Millennium.

See also The Earth Shall Be Filled; Warn Every One; Miry Clay

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:1-51; John 14:26-31; 1Thessalonians 5:1-28; Exodus 12:21-23

Laborers Into His Harvest

Luke 10:2

Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.

The Lord has spoken that at the time of the greatest harvest ever, the harvest of souls before the Millennium, the plowman will overtake the reaper. The coming harvest is so mighty that as soon as the seed hits the ground it will spring up into mature fruit. This speaks to the kind of miraculous works that can only be done by the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit, as He broods over the face of humanity and then is poured out on all mankind. This is the great and dreadful Day of the Lord: great for those who serve Him and partake of His labors, and filled with dread for those who do not.

See also From the Four Winds; Great Light Rising; Working in the Day

Related Scriptures: Amos 9:11-15; Genesis 1:1-3; Joel 2:1-32; Malachi 4:1-6; Genesis 8:15-22

Prophesy the Breath of Life

Ezekiel 37:9

Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

From the north, south, east, and west, the Spirit of the Lord GOD of hosts will breathe the breath of life into His chosen people Israel. They will rise up as one man, anointed by His Spirit, clothed with glory and on fire for the Lord. Born again nation in a heartbeat, for all the world to witness the glory of the Holy One of Israel. The planting of the Lord: Israel will glorify Him before all the nations of the earth, and all will say, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes!” The fullness of the engrafted gentiles will join with them, as His plan and purpose for this age is consummated.

See also Given From Heaven; The Testimony of Jesus; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 11:9-16; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Romans 11:1-36; Ezekiel 39:1-29; Mark 12:1-12

A Rod of an Almond Tree

Jeremiah 1:11

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

The almond tree bears the earliest spring blossoms, and the rod described here is the earliest green shoot. What this generation witnessed in 1948 with the rebirth of Israel was the "rod of an almond tree": the earliest blossoms of the performance of God's plan for the regathering of Israel prior to the Tribulation. When the former and latter rains begin to pour out on God's planting, we will witness His intention as He hastens His word to perform it once again. Before this generation passes away He will be sanctified in Israel, and His heartfelt desire for all mankind to be saved will manifest before all the nations. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. As it is written,

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

See also The Tower of Salvation; He Has Given the Former Rain Moderately; Perfect Law of Liberty

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 24:32-51; Ezekiel 28:22-26; Isaiah 61:1-11

Gog, The Chief Prince

Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

A chief prince is a head of rulers: essentially the main general of a military force. In this case, I believe the Scripture is describing the spiritual principality over the land of Magog, where Meshech and Tubal, descendants of Japheth son of Noah once settled. This is modern day Turkey (the central and eastern parts) and Armenia, and especially the mountainous regions between Cappadocia and Media (the BDB literal translation of Gog is "mountain"). Gog is a fallen archangel, the spiritual principality over the areas to the north of Israel from which the armies of the nations in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will rise up against God and His people. He is also the tool by which Satan will deceive the nations at the end of the millennium, his last allowed act of rebellion before God casts him into the lake of fire eternally.

Gog is not a person. He is a spiritual peer of the prince of Persia who withstood Michael. Could it be that he is the prince of Grecia named in the same verses of Scripture? The LORD will reveal the truth of this matter more fully as the time approaches. Let God be true, and every man a liar.

See also By Him All Things Consist; Warn Every One; The Realm of the Sky

Related Scriptures: Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29; Daniel 10:1-21

God Will Separate His Harvest

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

There are moral absolutes, and there is a process by which God will separate His people. As the harvest approaches, so does the time of separation. That which glorifies God will be gathered and stored within His eternal temple: the New Jerusalem come from heaven to earth. That which does not will be gathered and burned. The earth and all the works therein, having been purged by fire, will glorify Him in purity and truth. The revelation of the Son will consummate the restitution and subjection of all things.

See also Abide in the True Vine; Out of the Iron Furnace; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 3:11-13; Revelation 21:1-8; 2Peter 3:1-18; Acts 3:18-21; Hebrews 2:1-18

A Cup Of Trembling

Zechariah 12:2

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

In ancient siege warfare, an attacker would at times throw up a massive ramp of earth in order to gain entrance into a walled city and overcome its inhabitants. Israel is increasingly being surrounded by the siege mounds of her enemies. It is the first stage of encircling prior to the final assaults against Jerusalem by the Antichrist. The Messiah is pleading with His people for awakening. They are to respond by putting off the arm of the flesh and turning to the only true source of protection. The Holy One of Israel will gather them under His wings when they do so. Sadly, that time is not quite yet. As it is written,

Zephaniah 1:15

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

See also Take Thee A Tile; Walk In the Day; The Wind and the Fountain

Related Scriptures: Zechariah 12:1-14; Isaiah 29:1-24; Luke 13:31-35; Matthew 23:37-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18

Refuge in the Rock

Isaiah 16:3

Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.

Before Christ returns to rescue His people Israel from what will seem like certain destruction, they will again be divided, and a portion of them will take refuge in the rock city of Petra. Yet in truth, their refuge will be in the Rock Himself, as He delivers them once and for all from the hands of those who would destroy them. The kingdom of God is come nigh unto the earth, and the increase of His government will know no boundaries. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth, as the waters cover the seas.

See also The LORD of the Vineyard; The Earth Shall Be Filled; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-22; Psalm 62:1-12; Romans 11:1-29; Luke 21:29-36; Isaiah 9:6-7; Habakkuk 2:1-14

The Lord and Harpazo

Thirteen Aspects of the Rapture.

Take your inheritance in the kingdom of heaven by force.
Stand against the world system trying to force its mold upon your life.
Look to the Lord, and He will forcefully remove you from dissension and affliction.
These three things are the rapture.

Hang on to the Word in your heart lest the devil come to catch it away.
Hang on to your relationship with the Chief Shepherd,

lest the wolf come to catch you away from His fold.
Be baptized in the Holy Spirit and filled to the full with Him each day;
And the Lord will catch you away into the position He has for you on earth.
These three things are the rapture.
 
Rest in the hands of Jesus Christ the Lord, and no man can pluck you out of His hand.
Rest in the arms of your heavenly Father, the Ancient of Days:
He is well able to hold on to you in His hand, and no man can pluck you out of His hand.
The Spirit has sealed you unto the day of redemption.
These three Persons are the rapture.

Dwell in the Vine and wait for the vision, and be caught up with whatever He says to do.
Be so caught up with the love of Christ Jesus that you will meet Him in the air when He calls.
Rest assured in Him, knowing that He has prepared you a place on His throne with Him.
These three truths are the rapture.

Be occupied daily only with the fear of the LORD, and He will rescue you from the fire of His wrath.
This one thing I know,
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
On the other side of His blood is the rapture.
____________________________________________

As blood bought believers, we are engaged in the most important conflict ever: the battle between God and Satan, between good and evil, between the heavenly realm of light and the forces of spiritual darkness. Our commander, the Lord of hosts, has already determined the outcome, which He sealed through the death on the cross, the burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. In turn, we determine our position in this battle by faith in Jesus Christ, and this act guarantees the outcome in our own life by the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise. After this gift we must strive for the prize. There are crowns laid up for those who run the race with endurance while working the works of God. We must execute the battle plan of the Father of spirits.

See also A Vesture Dipped in Blood; The Blood of the Passover Lamb; Dark Speeches

Related Scriptures: Matthew 11:12; Matthew 13:19; John 6:15; John 10:12; John 10:28-29; Acts 8:39; Acts 23:10; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Jude 1:23; Revelation 12:5

Pulling Out (Harpazo, Part 5 of 5)

The rapture is not a term that is found anywhere in the Bible, it is a concept invented by man to conceive of the Greek word harpazo. (The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin Vulgate translation “rapio”.) This word has five meanings spread across thirteen different Scriptures, so it is my intent here to let the Spirit lead into a deeper understanding of this word, and thereby a greater understanding of the concept of the rapture.

Jude 1:23

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Here we see the final act of God's redemptive process: pulling out (harpazo) of the fire those who must be saved with fear. Their garments are defiled by the works of the flesh, and they are alarmed by the possibility that they may not escape the flames. This could well be the lukewarm church, spewed out of the mouth of the Lord and left behind at the rapture. If so, they will have to endure dire hardship and persecution without the benefit of the indwelling Holy Spirit in order to escape. The Lord makes a distinction between these, whose very garments of self-righteous works are to be hated, and those who are saved by a heartfelt response to His compassion. As it is written,

Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

Now that we have reviewed all thirteen of the harpazo verses, we can begin to pull this all together for a more thorough understanding, from every angle, of the concept of the rapture. Here is a synopsis of the five meanings and their implications:

1.  take by force - seizing, especially with dire urgency (Matthew 11:12; John 6:15; Acts 23:10)

2.  catch away - to take out of the grasp of, to transport instantly (Matthew 13:19; John 10:12; Acts 8:39)

3.  pluck out - to snatch or pull away from, especially by a rapid jerking motion (John 10:28-29)

4.  catch up - translated, removed from a lower state to a higher one (2 Corinthians 12:2,4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 12:5)

5.  pull out - to rescue from danger or peril, especially those who are unable to do so on their own (Jude 1:23)

The Spirit has ministered a set of verses to post separately that will summarize this study, and bring the whole word of the Lord to bear on how we should view the many aspects of harpazo. This will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the various forms of the rapture. Follow along tomorrow as He speaks through The Lord and Harpazo, Thirteen Aspects of the Rapture.

See also Jericho Mindset; The Third Part Through the Fire; Walking Through the Fire

Related Scriptures: Jude 1:1-25

Caught Up (Harpazo, Part 4 of 5)

The rapture is not a term that is found anywhere in the Bible, it is a concept invented by man to conceive of the Greek word harpazo. (The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin Vulgate translation “rapio”.) This word has five meanings spread across thirteen different Scriptures, so it is my intent here to let the Spirit lead into a deeper understanding of this word, and thereby a greater understanding of the concept of the rapture.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Paul describes his visions of heaven as being so realistic that he left it to God to determine whether they were spiritual experiences, or physical experiences, or both. He describes being caught up (harpazo) to paradise where he heard "unspeakable" words. Perhaps he witnessed the angelic hosts singing in tongues before the throne of God. The revelations were of such awesome magnitude that a demonic spirit was sent to afflict Paul in direct opposition. The Lord allowed this to continue as a constant reminder that His spiritual strength is sufficient to overcome every physical, mental or emotional affliction.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Here is the verse that focuses all the other meanings of harpazo. This is the objective of the revelation of Jesus Christ: to reap the rewards of His sacrifice on the cross by raising up all those who have believed in their hearts that He is Lord and that He was raised from the dead and will resurrect those who believe. Immediately after the Lord was resurrected there was a procession of raised saints through the streets of Jerusalem, visible proof that He was the firstborn among MANY brethren. Paradise, the compartment of hell where the righteous dead were reserved until that moment, was snatched from the grasp of the devil and relocated as Christ led captivity captive. Satan had positioned himself for what he believed to be the ultimate defeat of God's purpose and plan, yet now he stood by helplessly as this glorious cascade of scriptural fulfillment buried him in a wave of righteousness. The next harpazo verse is a vivid description of Satan's intentions and God's glorious intervention:

Revelation 12:5

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.

In the form of a red dragon and with a sweep of his tail, Satan snapped up the angels who were foolish enough to follow him and cast them down to the earth, as one third of the angelic hosts now were under his command. He and his army had spent every moment of the ages since they rebelled against God trying to prevent the birth of the Messiah, and this portion of Scripture describes their defeat as Christ is caught up (harpazo) to God. Contrary to his evil scheme to devour God's Son, Christ is now seated at the right hand of God and Satan will be cast down into the deepest depths of eternity, sealed in the burning lake of fire forever.

With just one more verse to go, we have a clearer picture of the full implications of the term harpazo and the concept of the rapture. In this posting we see that it is the catching up (harpazo) of various prophets, men of God, and Christ Himself to heaven, either for revelation or rescue. It is a tool that God uses to impart spiritual visions to His people and to perform His perfect will when circumstances seem hopeless. It is a tool of communion also, a form of direct communication that God uses to bypass His enemies. It is both a glorious demonstration of God's sovereignty and His ability to conceal His intentions from the destructive forces of Satan, the fallen angels, and other dark forces gathered in the world. As it is written,

Ephesians 1:9-10

Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him...

See also Run With the Vision; He Will Raise Us Up; Salvation and Strength

Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18; Revelation 12:1-17

Pluck Out (Harpazo, Part 3 of 5)

The rapture is not a term that is found anywhere in the Bible, it is a concept invented by man to conceive of the Greek word harpazo. (The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin Vulgate translation “rapio”.) This word has five meanings spread across thirteen different Scriptures, so it is my intent here to let the Spirit lead into a deeper understanding of this word, and thereby a greater understanding of the concept of the rapture.

John 10:28-29

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.

This is one of the most revealing harpazo passages. The dual nature of this meaning is powerful. It is the nature of the promise of the Father, that as we receive the free gift of His grace through His Son Jesus Christ unto salvation by His shed blood on the cross, we are firmly held in the hand of both Jesus and the Father. Therefore no man is able to pluck us out (harpazo) of their hands. To complete the picture, we have the indwelling presence of the Lord in our hearts in the Person of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter identical to Jesus and who does not speak of Himself but accomplishes the will of God based upon His spoken Word, and who is the seal of His promise unto the day of redemption when He will deliver all believers from the grasp of the enemy.

All three members of the Godhead have sworn their covenant with the one who believes in Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. The trinity of God, in complex unity (echad), has promised to catch us up (harpazo) from the wrath to come. As it is written,

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ

See also Latter and Former Rain; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: John 10:1-42; John 14:1-31

Catch Away (Harpazo, Part 2 of 5)

The rapture is not a term that is found anywhere in the Bible, it is a concept invented by man to conceive of the Greek word harpazo. (The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin Vulgate translation “rapio”.) This word has five meanings spread across thirteen different Scriptures, so it is my intent here to let the Spirit lead into a deeper understanding of this word, and thereby a greater understanding of the concept of the rapture.

Matthew 13:19

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

If you stand passively by the wayside to receive the Word of God, it will not penetrate your heart, and the devil will most certainly come to catch it away before it takes root. You must actively pursue a deeper understanding of the Word, feeding on it night and day, in order for the Holy Spirit to effectively change you into the image of Christ. This verse illuminates the work of Satan: he is urgently desperate to catch away (harpazo) the Word, for he knows its mighty transforming power once it takes hold in the heart of man.

John 10:12

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Jesus warned here of the hireling, who leads the sheep into danger because he does not care for them, and then runs away when the wolf appears to catch them (harpazo) and scatter them. This is the rapture of the antichrist, who lulls lukewarm believers to sleep as he slips the snare around their souls. Be sober, be vigilant: your enemy knows how to impersonate light. You have need of keen spiritual discernment, and you should always be trying the spirits.

Acts 8:39

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.

When the Holy Spirit moves upon the soul of a man whom God has called to a sovereign purpose, there is a mighty flow of revelatory outpouring. Here we see the Holy Spirit wooing an Ethiopian eunuch with Isaiah 53 while simultaneously positioning Philip for a divine appointment with him. The Ethiopian is so powerfully moved by the Spirit of God that he knows to ask for baptism, boldly proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Afterward Philip is caught away (harpazo) as soon as they come up out of the water, moved on to his next assignment by the Holy Spirit.

The instances of catching away (harpazo) described in these verses illustrate two opposites. First, the evil device used by Satan to catch away the word of God and then believers. Secondly, the instrument God uses to position believers for His purposes. As the rapture approaches, believers need to be firmly rooted and grounded in God's Word, to ensure that their shepherd is following the Good Shepherd, and to make themselves available when God moves to position them supernaturally. And remember, as it is written,

Matthew 24:4

And Jesus said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

See also Dividing (and Divided By)the Word; Smite the Shepherd; Receiving Our Inheritance

Related Scriptures: Matthew 13:10-23; John 10:1-18; Acts 8:26-40

Take By Force (Harpazo, Part 1 of 5)

The rapture is not a term that is found anywhere in the Bible, it is a concept invented by man to conceive of the Greek word harpazo.(The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin Vulgate translation “rapio”.) This word has five meanings spread across thirteen different Scriptures, so it is my intent here to let the Spirit lead into a deeper understanding of this word, and thereby a greater understanding of the concept of the rapture.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Those who actively seek the kingdom of heaven and His Christ will lay hands on it with dynamic energy, seizing their blood bought place in the realm of the sky. This taking of the kingdom by force (harpazo) is initiated by repentance, which is the act of turning from the violence against God of this world system and walking vigorously in the opposite direction. When you truly walk with Christ in this present age you will undoubtedly suffer violent persecution in one form or another: physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Harpazo will remove you from the sources of persecution to the safety of the kingdom of heaven.

John 6:15

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.

When the people witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, they believed that Jesus was the prophet that was to come into the world. Knowing their thoughts, and that they would try to take Him by force (harpazo) before the time of His appointed Kingdom, He removed Himself from the situation. Jesus Christ was endued with the full authority of God by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and was able at all times to deliver Himself from any situation that was not a part of God’s plan and purpose.

Act 23:10

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

When conflict arose between Paul and the council of the high priest regarding the resurrection, tempers flared and the Roman captain ordered his soldiers to take Paul by force (harpazo) from the midst of the assembly. God had already arranged for his deliverance so Paul could continue on with his witness of the Gospel.

 

In each of these examples, we see a violent disturbance surrounding believers and the kingdom, and their removal from the midst by use of force. Harpazo will be a forceful removal of believers from the midst of the outright rebellion against God that is sweeping the earth even as we speak. It will be the ultimate military extraction of the body of Christ, taken by force in a split second from the midst of this crooked and perverse generation. Afterward, violent turmoil will envelop the world as it plunges headlong into seven years of the deepest darkness ever imaginable, when the Antichrist and his tyrannical world system rises to encompass the earth during Daniel’s seventieth week. Examine every doctrine in the light of God's word, and be ready for harpazo. As it is written,

Matthew 24:4

And Jesus said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

See also The Realm of the Sky; From the Four Winds; Watch Ye Therefore

Related Scriptures: Matthew 11:7-15; John 6:1-15; Acts 23:1-11; 1Thessalonians 4:1-18

Dividing (and Divided By) the Word

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Studying the word of truth is far more than being diligent to read the Bible. To be approved by God, we must let His Word divide us while we are dividing the word. By the anointing of the Living Word, the Holy Spirit places His seal of approval on our spirits, and we become well pleasing to the Father of spirits. There will never be a greater reward than to stand before Him and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”

See also Gleaning Grapes; Clouds and Thick Darkness; Jericho Mindset

Related Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:13-14; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:18-24; Hebrews 11:1-6; Matthew 25:1-46

Change Them As A Vesture

Psalm 102:26

They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed:

The garment of praise is next, the new garment with which the Lord will clothe the mourning saints before the whole universe. Every witness will watch in silent awe as the Lord redeems the earth, and then a thunderous chorus of praise will break forth. The earth and all the works therein will be rolled up like an old garment, and creation will be clothed in glory the way the Lord intended. Glory will radiate from all creation after all iniquity is purged.

See also Garments Rolled in Blood; Fallen Corn of Wheat; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-7; Revelation 8:1-4; Revelation 19:5-7; Hebrews 1:8-12; Romans 8:19-25

The Promise of His Coming

2 Peter 3:4

And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The fathers are asleep, but the Father is not. All things continue as they were since the beginning of creation BECAUSE the Father is not asleep, and because He upholds everything by the power of His Word. He has promised His coming, and His Word is not empty or void or useless. He will come. Do not fall asleep. Be ready for Him! The days of Noah are upon the earth again, yet the Lord will make a swift end of those who do not read the signs of the times. As it is written,

Jude 1:14-15

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

See also God’s Promise: Restitution of Peace; The LORD of the Vineyard; Working In the Day

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1-9; 1 John 1:1-10; Isaiah 55:8-13; Hebrews 10:32-39; Matthew 25:1-13

The Two Anointed Ones

Zechariah 4:14

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Two men are currently reserved, before the presence of God Almighty, as witnesses to Jerusalem, Israel, and the whole world during the tribulation. They have spent many centuries in the most excellent glory, held in readiness for their three and one half year testimony to the blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor and power and might of God. One of them is clearly identified as Elijah, and the other I believe to be Enoch. The earth is groaning in anticipation of the spiritual outpouring that is about to occur, in preparation for the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

See also The Assyrian In My Land; All Shall Know Him; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Revelation 11:3-4; Revelation 7:9-17; Malachi 4:1-6 Romans 8:16-23; Acts 2:14-32; Revelation 19:11-16