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. 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

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, The thirteen raptures.

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

Related Scriptures: Jude 1:1-25