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