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