William H. Smith February 11,2001

1204 Christmas Tree Lane about 440 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

Rapture

By

William H. Smith

The expression rapture is not found in the Holy Bible. So where did the word come from and what does it mean? The word comes from the Greek word “ekstasis” which means in the English language, ecstasy.

Then why don't the Bible scholars use the word ecstasy instead of rapture? The word ecstasy applies to any strong emotion, and has the same implication as rapture and transport. The word rapture implies to intense bliss or paradise, and the word transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and provokes vehement expression or frenzied action (from Webster's dictionary). In the Bible the words raised, changed, and caught up in the clouds or air are used instead of transported. Today Bible scholars use the word rapture as a catch all word, meaning to be raised up, transported, grabbed up, spirited away, and whatever

word you apply to be taken to Jesus' bosom. This is an event that will take place just before the great tribulations for the Jews and Non-Christians (Daniel 9:24-27).

The Bible verses that concern the rapture are; I Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:40-42, Luke 17:26-37, Luke 12:39-40, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, Revelation 3: 1 0, Revelation 16:15, and John 14:1-4. These verses should indicate to everybody that there will be a rapture for the Christians.

Another important message concerning the rapture is written in Daniel, these passages explain the Jews and the Christians part in the seven-year great tribulation period, (Daniel 9:24-27). Here we see the Temple restored and the Prophetic clock restarted for Daniel’s people (the Jews). The number of years until the Judgment Day is 490 years (70 weeks of years). The Prophetic clock was stopped at 483 years, the day Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. The Jews have one more week of years remaining (7 years). These 7 years are referred to as the great tribulation period that the Non-Christian Jews and Gentiles will comply with. The Christians will have no part in the Jews' seven-year tribulation. Therefore the Christians will be caught up in Paradise (raptured).

God has offered through our Savior Jesus Christ an everlasting, delightful life, but without Jesus Christ in our life, we are offered eternal torment. Things are coming together today that indicates that the tribulations could start any day.

Accept God's gift of Jesus Christ and bring him into your life today, and escape the great

Tribulations period of the Non-Christian Jews and Gentiles.

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