What is the rapture? harpázō – seized by force, caught up, snatched away
Someday very soon, there is going to be a world wide event that is so weird nobody will be able to explain it. God has prophesized a harpázō. Millions of people from all tribes and nations are going to disappear at exactly the same time. Here are the 2 most prophetic passages of this harpázō event.
But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up [harpázō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 WEB)
Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57 WEB)
In the twinkling of an eye … we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52-53) – From our birth in dying mortal bodies. Then in a Twinkling of an eye. A single click of God’s clock. We will be changed to be immortal with God forever
Let's Address Aliens for a Moment
Navigate to Section 02 - First Things First and open the document: "Post Rapture Emergency Message - Part 4 Bonus.PDF" for more information and commentary on what we anticipate is a GREAT ALIEN DECEPTION. Also, if you prefer to hear this on audio file, open "Post Rapture Emergency Message - Part 4 Bonus.MP3" for a podcast-style presentation.
Definition of harpázō
harpázō: to seize, catch up, snatch away
Original Word: ἁρπάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: harpázō
Phonetic Spelling: (har-pad’-zo)
Definition: to seize, catch up, snatch away
Usage: I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
Strong’s Concordance 726 harpázō properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly).
STRONGS NT 726: ἁρπάζω ἁρπάζω; future ἁρπάσω (Veitch, under the word; cf. Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 407); 1 aorist ἥρπασα; passive, 1 aorist ἡρπασθην; 2 aorist ἡρπαγην (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4; Wis. 4:11; cf. Winers Grammar, 83 (80); (Buttmann, 54 (47); WH’s Appendix, p. 170)); 2 future ἁρπαγήσομαι; ((Latinrapio; Curtius, § 331); from Homer down); to seize, carry off by force: τί (Matthew 12:29 not R G (see διαρπάζω)); John 10:12; to seize on, claim for oneself eagerly: τήν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, Matthew 11:12 (Xenophon, an. 6, 5, 18, etc.); to snatch out or away: τί, Matthew 13:19; τί ἐκ χειρός τίνος, John 10:28f; τινα ἐκ πυρός, proverbial, to rescue from the danger of destruction, Jude 1:23 (Amos 4:11; Zechariah 3:2); τινα, to seize and carry off speedily, John 6:15; Acts 23:10; used of divine power transferring a person marvellously and swiftly from one place to another, to snatch or catch away: Acts 8:39; passive, πρός τόν Θεόν, Revelation 12:5; followed by ἕως with the genitive of place, 2 Corinthians 12:2; εἰς τόν παράδεισον, 2 Corinthians 12:4; εἰς ἀέρα, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (Compare: διαρπάζω, συναρπάζω.) –Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Why do we describe harpázō as rapture?
The Greek word harpázō was translated as rapiemur in the Latin Vulgate Bible. This was the only version that was available to Christians for more than a thousand years before the printing press allowed the Tyndale Bible to be widely distributed in the 16th century. Therefore, “rapture”, which is the Anglicized pronunciation of rapiemur, has become the standard term for this concept. (See The History of the Septuagint and the Vulgate)
Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up [harpázō] together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17 Douay-Rheims Bible)
Deinde nos, qui vivimus, qui relinquimur, simul rapiemur [harpázō] cum illis in nubibus obviam Christo in aera, et sic semper cum Domino erimus. (1 Thessalonians 4:17 VULGATE)
Usage of harpázō in the New Testament
Matthew 11:12 “and violent men take it by force.”
Matthew 12:29 “goods of him to plunder if not”
Matthew 13:19 “evil one and snaches away that which was sown”
John 6:15 “to come and take Him by force to make”
John 10:12 “and the wolf snatches them and scatters”
John 10:28 “no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
John 10:29 “no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s”
Acts 8:39 “of the Lord snatched Philip”
Acts 23:10 “to go down and take him away from them by force”
2 Corinthians 12:2 “such a man was caught up to the third”
2 Corinthians 12:4 “was caught up into Paradise and heard”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 “and remain will be caught up together”
Jude 1:23 “save others, snatching them out of the fire;”
Revelation 12:5 “and her child was caught up to God”
Usage of harpázō in the Old Testament Septuagint
It is important to consider Old Testament prophecy when studying New Testament concepts. But it is difficult to compare words from an English translation of the Hebrew language with words from an English translation of the Greek language. Fortunately, the Greek Jews translated the Hebrew Tanakh into the Greek Septuagint about 300 years before Christ. Now, modern tools, make it easier to compare and contrast the usage of the Greek word harpázō in the Greek Septuagint and the Greek New Testament.
What Is the Septuagint? The Beginner’s Guide – The Septuagint is the oldest surviving Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally believed to have been written by 72 Jewish scholars sometime during the third century BC.
What is the Septuagint? – Many of the New Testament quotes from the Hebrew Bible are taken from the Septuagint. This is the result of the fact that by the late first century BC, and especially the first century AD, the Septuagint had “replaced” the Hebrew Bible as the Scriptures most people used.
seize force ουχ αρπάσϵις 3756-726
Leviticus 19:13 “you shall not seize by force … wages of your hierling”
Judges 21:21 “let a man [of Benjamin] seize by force a wife from the daughters of Shiloh”
Psalm 69:5 “then I paid for what I did not seize by force”
Psalm 104:22 “lion cubs roaring to seize by force”
Ezekiel 18:7 “a pledge owed he shall give back … he shall not seize by force”
Ezekiel 19:3 “a lion … learned to seize by force; he ate the prey of men”
Hosea 5:14 “as a lion to the house of Judah … I will seize by force”
John 6:15 “Jesus then knowing they were about to come and seize him by force”
John 10:28 “not shall any seize them for force from out of my hand”
John 10:29 “no one is able to seize them by force from out of the hand of my father”
seize prey force αρπάση 726
Micah 5:8 “a lion … draw apart to seize his prey by force”
seized ἡρπασϵ 726
Genesis 37:33 “a wild beast seized Joseph”
Joshua 8:23 “the land was seized by them”
Judges 7:25 “they seized the two rules of Midian”
Judges 8:14 “he seized a servant from the men of Succoth”
Judges 15:4 “Samson went and seized three hundred foxes”
1 Samuel 15:8 “he seized Agag king of Amalek”
1 Kings 18:40 “Size the prophets of Baal”
2 Kings 4:27 “she seized his feet”
2 Kings 10:14 “Seize them alive!”
2 Kings 14:7 “seized Rock in the war”
2 Kings 14:13 “Judah seized Joash king of Israel”
2 Kings 16:9“seized [Damascus] and resettled it”
2 Kings 17:6 “seized … Samaria, and resettled”
2 Kings 18:13 “Sennacherib … seized cities of Judah”
2 Kings 25:6 “they seized the king”
Job 22:16 “the ones who were seized untimely are as a river overflowing”
Joh 24:9 “They seized the orphan from the breast”
Psalm 9:16 “this snare which they hid was seized”
Psalm 9:17 “By the works of his hands is seized the sinner”
Psalm 10:2 “seized by the deliberations which they argue”
Psalm 59:13 “let them be seized in their pride”
Proverbs 6:25 “not be seized by her eyelids”
Ecclesiastes 7:26 “the one sinning will be seized with her”
Isaiah 42:22 “there was not the one rescuing one seized”
Jeremiah 6:11 “man and woman shall be seized”
Jeremiah 26:8 “they sized him — the priests, and the false prophets”
Jeremiah 34:3 “by seizure you shall be seized”
Jeremiah 37:13 “he seized Jeremiah”
Jeremiah 38:23 “by the hand of the king of Babylon you shall be seized”
Jeremiah 39:5 “the force of the Chaldeans after them, and seized Zedekiah”
Jeremiah 48:7 “Since you relied on your fortresses, and in your treasures, then you shall be seized”
Jeremiah 48:33 “Cause for joy was seized, and gladness from Carmel”
Jeremiah 48:41 “the fortresses were seized”
Jeremiah 48:44 “shall be seized in the snare”
Jeremiah 49:16 “it seized the strength of a high hill”
Jeremiah 52:9 “they seized the king”
Lamentations 4:20 “the anointed one Christ, the LORD was seized in our corruptions”
Ezekiel 12:13 “I will spread forth my net upon him, and he shall be seized”
Ezekiel 18:12 “tyrannized over the poor and need, and seized by force”
Ezekiel 19:4 “he was seized in their corruption”
Ezekiel 21:23 “he himself was calling to mind their iniquity to be seized”
Amos 3:4 “if anything should not have been seized”
Matthew 26:50 “they put hands upon Jesus, and seized him”
Mark 6:17 “Herod, having sent, seized John, and bound him in the prison”
Mark 14:46 “they put upon him their hands, and seized him”
Mark 14:51 “the young men seized him”
Luke 5:9 “stupefaction … over the catch of the fishes which they seized”
Luke 22:54 “And having seized him, they led and brought him”
John 18:12 “the officers of the Jews seized Jesus”
Acts 6:12 “they seized him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin”
Acts 23:27 “This man having been seized by the Jews”
Acts 24:6 “whom also we seized, and according to our law we wanted to judge”
Acts 26:21 “Because of these things, the Jews having seized me in the temple”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Thereupon we the living, the ones remaining together with them shall be seized in clouds for meeting the Lord in the air. And thus at all times with the Lord we shall be”
Revelation 20:2 “And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil”
seized force ἡρπασϵν 726
Leviticus 6:4 “he should give back the seized thing which he seized by force”
Deuteronomy 28:31 “Your donkey being seized by force from you”
2 Samuel 23:21 “and seized by force the wooden spear”
Job 20:19 “and a habitation he seized by force”
Job 24:19 “they seized by force”
Ezekiel 18:16 “collateral for security, and by seizure seized not by force”
Ezekiel 18:18 “by seizure seized by force”
Amos 1:11 “seized by force for a testimony of his shuddering awe”
Nahum 2:12 “The lion seized by force the things fit for his cubs”
Luke 8:29 “For many times it seized him with force”
Acts 19:29 “having seized by force Gaius and Aristarchus”
Acts 27:15 “And the boat being seized with force”
2 Corinthians 12:2 “being seized by force was such a one unto the third heaven”
2 Corinthians 12:4 “he was seized by force into paradise”
seized philip force ἡρπασϵ τον φίλιππον 726-3588-
Acts 8:39 “spirit of the Lord seized Philip by force”
seizes force αρπάζϵι 726
Matthew 13:19 “there comes the evil one, and he seizes by force the thing being sown”
John 10:12 “And the wolf seizes them by force, and disperses the sheep”
seizing force αρπάζοντϵς 726
Ezekiel 22:25 “roaring lions seizing by force prey”
Micah 3:2 “seeking the wicked things, seizing by force their skins”
snatch away αρπάσαι 726
Psalm 10:9 “a lion in his lair; he lies in wait to snatch away the poor”
Psalm 10:9 “to snatch away the poor when he draws him”
Psalm 50:23 “lest at any time he should snatch you away”
snatched away αρπάση 726
Psalm 7:3 “Lest at any time my soul should be snatched away as by a lion”
Hosea 6:1 “for he snatched us away, and he will heal us”
Revelation 12:5 “And her child was snatched away to God, and to his throne”
snatching away αρπαζών 726
Psalm 22:14 “as a lion snatching away and roaring
Isaiah 10:2 “snatching away a judgment of the needy of my people”
Are you truly saved and ready for the Rapture?
The Rapture is coming. The material on this website notes why we believe the Rapture teaching is biblical, and why we believe the event will happen soon. The Rapture will take most of the world by surprise. The Bible notes that in a moment ("in a twinkling of an eye"), millions across the globe will suddenly be taken up to be with Christ in the heavens. The Rapture is God’s plan to rescue His people from the terrible trials that are coming to this world—trials so awful they will exceed the devastation at Hiroshima and the horror of the Nazi holocaust. Being taken in the Rapture is the only way to escape the violence, pain, and death associated with the Antichrist and Tribulation period—both of which are coming and coming soon.
Dark days are coming. The only escape is by being in relationship with Jesus Christ. Tribulations are coming, but so is Jesus. He can return at any moment. Are you ready?
Before answering consider this: In Matthew 7 Jesus spoke about the coming judgment and how many will be surprised at their fate. Many will consider themselves good, righteous, and saved, but will not be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Scripture notes:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Those who are prohibited from entering the kingdom of heaven prophesied in His name, drove out demons, and performed many miracles. That sounds pretty impressive, but it is not enough to be commended at the judgment, and it is not enough to ensure one is taken in the Rapture.
A darkness is falling and the world will soon enter the seven-year Tribulation period. It will be a time of unprecedented upheaval and sorrow for the entire world. There will be wars, economic disaster, and unparalleled religious persecution. Governments will fall, wars and death will be common—billions will die. There will be plagues, poison waters, scorching heat, unexplained darkness, painful maladies, great earthquakes, celestial anomalies, animal die-offs, and much, much more. However, God in His mercy has provided a vehicle by which one can escape the Tribulation period horror—His name is Jesus Christ.
The means of escape and rescue from all that is to come is a relationship with Jesus Christ. And as the Rapture event will happen suddenly, there will not be even a split-second opportunity to seek forgiveness and make things right with God when the Rapture event begins. The only way to be prepared to be rescued by Christ in the Rapture is to already be in relationship with Jesus before the Rapture takes place.
The information on this website is designed to help individuals understand what God has done, what is happening now, and how to be prepared for what is about to happen.
The next section of this writing presents a glimpse of what a life prepared for the return of Christ looks like.
What is the evidence of a changed life?
Many ask: How can I be sure that I’m saved?” Remember, your decision is spiritual—not physical. The proof that you are saved has nothing to do with a change in appearance—you will not be taller, thinner, or free from sickness (or temptation). Yes, miracles still happen, but miracles in the physical realm are not given as proof of our salvation. So then, how will you know that you are saved? Scripture notes that “the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” (Romans 8:16).
When one sincerely commits their life to Christ, God emparts to that new believer a part of Himself—the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then lives in the heart of the believer. This abiding presence of God comforts, directs, guides, and empowers individuals for service. The Spirit will help you understand Scripture, have a heart to serve, forgive and give, guide you in the path God has chosen for you, lead you to interact with those whom God would have you witness to, and help you accomplish God's mission for your life.
The proof of your salvation is internal—it is God touching your heart and mind and changing your priorities and desires. Believers still have a will, and can “resist the Spirit” (Acts 7:51b). There will likely be a learning curve and though maturing in Christ will take time, a true believer should immediately strive to grow in spiritual knowledge and surrender to the precepts and leading of God. The Apostle John said it well: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child…” (1 John 3:10).
True believers are to “do what is right.” This too is evidence of true faith. Doing what is right includes:
- Forgiving
- Loving
- Helping
- Serving
- Giving
- A desire to learn spiritual things
- A desire to study the Word
- A desire to share your faith
- A desire to seek and follow the Lord’s leading
God does not expect His children to be perfect, but he does expect His children to try, to seek forgiveness, and to “bear fruit” (John 5). There will be a time of accounting before God—our every word and deed will be examined. Good works will be rewarded. You will not want to be found wanting as you stand before the Judge and He examines your life. Strive to live well—as a truly committed believer and follower of Jesus Christ.
It may be that in the past you made a decision to believe in and live for Christ, but have not lived up to your commitment to God. Some may wonder if it is possible to renew a backslidden faith. The answer is YES. The next section presents information on how to rededicate and renew your faith.
How do I rededicate my life to God?
The previous section noted how to be saved and that our salvation in Christ is sure. In Christ, we are born again (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17) and ‘sealed’ in God’s overwhelming and eternal love (Ephesians 1:13-14). Romans 8 affirms that beautiful promise:
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:33-39)
However, there are times when Christians slip back into sin and allow their faith in Christ to grow cold. When this happens, there are two things to remember: 1) God’s love is sure. Yes, a lack of faith saddens Him, but our God is a God of mercy and reconciliation and 2) do NOT delay in asking for forgiveness. God wants you to return to Him—He is waiting for you to return to Him. A few stories and passages that support this truth are noted below:
- The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) affirms God’s love for sinners and His desire for restoration.
- The restoration of Peter in John 21 notes Jesus’ desire and ability to forgive and restore.
- The wayward Hebrews in the days of Nehemiah were able to rededicate themselves to the Lord in Nehemiah 9.
- The story of Hosea and the redemption of his unfaithful wife illustrates God’s desire to redeem and restore those who stray.
- 1 John 1:9 notes that our sins can be forgiven.
- Romans 8:1 notes that there is “no condemnation” for those who are in a relationship with Christ Jesus.
A wise pastor once said, “God is always only a prayer away.” Tell Him you’re sorry. Confess your sins. Receive His forgiveness. Rejoice in His grace and love.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)
The Brilliant Lie
Satan knows he cannot defeat the Creator and assume His throne. Though Satan would like to “set his throne above the throne of God,” I do not believe that is his primary goal. Since his fall from heaven proved he could not defeat God, he now moves to destroy all that God loves. Scripture notes that he is known as Apollyon, a Greek term meaning the destroyer.
Satan is wise, cunning, and ruthless. He is patient, lays traps, studies our behavior, and identifies our vulnerabilities. In many ways, Satan seeks to keep individuals from recognizing God’s truth and entering into a relationship with His Son, Jesus. Many underestimate his wisdom or ruthlessness. He discards his better servants (Hitler, Stalin, Napoleon) without regret, has no sense of loyalty, and plays by no rules. By any means possible he seeks to destroy all that God loves—and that includes you.
Most humans do not succumb to the temptation to murder or believe the lie that God and heaven do not exist. Humans are born with a moral compass and are intrinsically drawn toward God. Satan, therefore, generally does not try to advance the notion that being good is not important, but rather, that you are good enough. His goal is that you miss the mark. He wants you to be complacent. He wants you to be left behind when the Rapture takes place.
And that’s where most of the world is today—confident in their goodness and complacent in their spirituality. The vast majority believe in God—and the vast majority believe their lives are good enough to be pleasing to God. However, and this is critically important, we can only be considered good enough if we are in right relationship with God, through His Son Jesus. It is only when we are in relationship with Jesus, and confess our sins to Jesus, that we can be considered pure and holy before the Father. This is a simple but profound truth that Satan does not want the world to grasp. He wants the world to believe that good deeds, church membership, generosity, or kindness to animals automatically grant one access to heaven. It does not.
The answer to the fundamental question: Are you ready for the Rapture? centers on affirmative answers to these two questions: 1) Have you been saved by Jesus Christ and 2) are you currently in right relationship with Jesus Christ? The next sections profile what God expects of His people, what God is about to do, and how to enter into a relationship with His Son, Jesus.