A Sabbath Message 8/13/22 – RAPTURE – Noun or Verb?

Rapture – Noun or Verb?

Lots of folks talk about “The Rapture” as if it is a thing and supposedly to be an event that is going to happen at some point of time, and the “When” is debated by many needlessly too often. Nouns are person(s), place(s) or thing(s) in English grammar and not action verbs. As commonly used, “The Rapture” is a noun, an event and/or an assumed thing (noun) that is going to happen at some point in time (also a noun). Well, know the old saying about assume? It makes a couple of somethings out of two self pronouns.

One will not find the English noun “Rapture” in all the Holy Bible, nor will they find the verb “raptured” either! At least in the KJV. So, just where did this word come from? What is the meaning of the word “rapture”?

The word “rapture” is taken from the Latin “rapio” for the two words “caught up” used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. It has come into popular use today to refer to the Lord Jesus coming for the church, to lift her (it) up into the heavens. One raptured is “lifted up” in love. (Definition from internet.)

True, but let’s forget the Latin.

Now for the Greek!

Greek is the language in which the New Testament was originally written. The Greek word “harpazo” (G726) is used a number of times and translated into various English words, none of which is a noun, especially “rapture”, nor as a verb “raptured”. [Why is it not called “The Harponing”?]

From Strong’s dictionary and useage:

G726 – ἁρπάζω – harpazo – to seize (in various applications) Derivation: from a derivative of G138; KJV Usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

>G138 – αἱρέομαι – haireomai – to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer. Derivation: probably akin to G142; KJV Usage: choose.

>>G142 – αἴρω – airo – to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare H5375) to expiate sin
Derivation: a primary root; KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

G726 – harpazo is translated in the KJV as follows:

• caught up – 1TH. 4:17, 2Cor. 12:2,4
• caught away – Acts 8:39
• take (by force) – Matt. 11:12, Acts 23:10
• taken – none
• pluck – John 10:28,29
• pulling – Jude 23

Many refer to Matt. 24:40,41 and Luke 17:34,35,36 as “The Rapture”, but the English word “taken” in these verses are translated from the Greek word “paralabano” (G3880).

G3880 – παραλαμβάνω – paralamabano – to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn. Derivation: from G3844 and G2983; KJV Usage: receive, take (unto, with).

>G3844 – παρά – para – properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of) Derivation: a primary preposition; KJV Usage: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with.

>G2983 – λαμβάνω – lambano – a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; KJV Usage: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).

These two passages also differ in the Greek words used for “the other” in the two examples. Matthew uses the same Greek term (G1520) for the first “the one” and “the other”, and (G3391) for the second “the one” and “the other” whereas Luke uses (G1520) for all “the one” and (G2087) for all “the other). Also, the translators has Luke saying “two men in one bed”. Let’s take a closer look!

Matthew 24:40-41

KJV^(i) 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one (G1520) shall be taken (G3880), and the other (G1520) left (G863) ⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one (G3391) shall be taken (G3880), and the other (G3391) left (G863).

*G1520 – εἷς – (including the neuter (etc.) hen); one. Derivation: a primary numeral; KJV Usage: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.

*G3391 – μία – one or first. Derivation: irregular feminine of G1520; KJV Usage: a (certain), + agree, first, one, X other.

*G863 – ἀφίημι – an intensive form of εἶμι, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow). Derivation: from G575 and ἵημι (to send; KJV Usage: cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.

Luke 17:34-36

KJV^(i) 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed (G2825); the one (G1520) shall be taken (G3880), and the other (G2087) shall be left (G863). ³⁵ Two women shall be grinding together; the one (G1520) shall be taken (G3880), and the other (G2087) left (G863). ³⁶ Two men shall be in the field; the one (G1520) shall be taken (G3880), and the other (G2087) left (G863).

*G2825 – κλίνη – a couch (for sleep, sickness, sitting or eating) Derivation: from G2827; KJV Usage: bed, table.

>G2827 – κλίνω – to slant or slope, i.e. incline or recline (literally or figuratively) Derivation: a primary verb; KJV Usage: bow (down), be far spent, lay, turn to flight, wear away.

{A better choice of English words would have been “table”. (Translated “tables” in Mark 7:4.) Could be a restaurant!?!? (G2826 – κλινίδιον – a pallet or little couch. Derivation: neuter of a presumed derivative of G2825; KJV Usage: bed. is translated “couch” in Luke 5:19,24) However, when going to the root or primary word, doesn’t it sound more like a hospital or nursing home?}

*G2087 – ἕτερος – (an-, the) other or different. Derivation: of uncertain affinity; KJV Usage: altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.

The two passages are in harmony with one another, when one carefully looks at the usages. In both cases, “…some shall be received and others shall be left alone. ” Jesus Christ will resurrect the two dead witnesses (Rev. 11:7-15), the dead is Christ (saints), then those left alive (1Th. 4:15-17) in the first resurrection at the sounding of last/seventh trump. (1Cor. 15:52/Rev. 11:15-18, 15 & 16) The saints are those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith/testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:17, 14:12, 22:14). They will rule and reign with Christ (Rev. 20:1-4) over the others that yield up to his glory after they are brought through the fire. (Zech. 13:7-9)

The Greek verb “harpazo” is the verb used in 1TH. 4:17 rendered “caught up” (raptured) and only applies to those who remain alive after the dead in Christ are resurrected first. (1Th. 4:13-18 corresponding with 1Cor. 15:47-58) at the last trump which is the seventh trumpet. In that order! (1Cor. 15:20-26)

For more on the subject, I found the following article:

IS THE WORD “RAPTURE” IN THE BIBLE?

Personally, I don’t like using the English noun “rapture” for either of the only two resurrections. No dead are going to be raised from their graves until the last, that is the seventh trumpet, is sounded. The seven trumpets are the seventh seal and the beginning of God’s wrath. (Zeph. 1:14-18) It will be the great and terrible day of the Lord. (Joel 2, note verse 11) A day is a year in prophecy, and the fifth trumpet alone is five months long. (Rev. 9:1-11) First comes great tribulation, then comes the wrath of God. THERE IS NO PRE-TRIBULATION, MID-TRIBULATION OR POST TRIBULATION RAPTURE! TOWARD THE END OF GOD’S WRATH, THE FIRST RESURRECTION WILL COME AT THE LAST TRUMP WHICH IS THE SEVENTH TRUMP! Then from the heaven (air – altitude unknown) the resurrected saints will be watching, with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Then the seven angels will pour out the last seven plagues which is the last or seventh trump. The resurrected saints will be watching the third brought through the fire! (Zech. 13:9) Notice in Revelation 16 that the people receiving the plagues don’t die? How can dead people still blaspheme God, even after the last vial is poured out? (Rev. 16:21)

It is sad that so many are deceived through the philosophy (sophistry – Jewish, Catholic or Protestant) of men. (Col. 2:8)

Yawl have a restful sabbath.

LOLGB+