Ancient Crossroads.org

I hope that the EW forum will be restored soon and wondered if anyone else decided to stop by here in the meanwhile?

Since we just passed the Feast of Trumpets this year and talk of "Rapture" was in the air along with it, I heard what to me was an interesting charge and answer.

While I agree with those who maintain that the word "Rapture" does not exist in the original autograph of the Scriptures, yet there are enough verses that speak of a harvesting of souls that many Christians and Messianics accept the basis. The specific charge I came across was that while Paul may have written about it an in gathering of souls in close proximity to the end times, the Torah, Prophets and Psalms are silent on the subject and therefore doubt a sound Scriptural basis. The answering verses I found to be profound from Yasha'yahu / Isaiah -

"The upright person (saddiq - innocent, guiltless, vindicated, and righteous, the judgmental and discriminating, the godly and redeemed) will disappear (‘abad - vanish, enter a state where their whereabouts are unknown), and no one (‘ayin ish) will devote any thought to it (sym leb - will take it to heart, ponder the core of the issue). Faithful and loving (hesed - devoted and favored, relationship-oriented and affectionate, merciful and favored, zealous and passionate, loyal and related) men and women (‘ish - people) will be gathered and removed, harvested and received (ne’esapym - brought together and taken away, collected and then moved from one place to another as a reward, assembled and withdrawn) while no one (‘ayin) perceives what’s happening (byn - realizes what has occurred, understands or explains accurately, is perceptive or judgmental, diligently considering or prudently discerning). For indeed (kiy - surely) from your presence (min paneh) the upright (saddiq - innocent, guiltless, and vindicated, and righteous, the judgmental and discriminating, the godly and redeemed) will be gathered together and taken (‘asap - harvested and withdrawn, reaped from the winepress and threshing floor, removed and received) away from the evil calamity (ra’a - wicked rule of man, time of perverseness, misery, crime, and destruction)." (Yasha’yahu/Isaiah 57:1) "They enter (bow’ - arrive and are included, are reaped and brought to) a place of salvation, complete and prefect peace and total satisfaction, the most favorable covenant circumstance (salom - the state of total freedom, perfect heath and well being, absolute completeness and contentment, affection and companionship, overwhelming prosperity, success, and tranquility). They are satisfied as their physical energy is restored while they relax (nuwach - by way of alliance and association they are rewarded with a most favorable outcome, settled in the place of rest and relaxation) on His (‘al - upon the Most High’s) couches and beds (mishkab). They travel (halak - come and go, walk about, traverse and journey, live in the manner of being) with Her [our Spiritual Mother, the Set Apart Spirit or Qodesh Ruach], upright in His presence (nakoah - being honest and straightforward in front of Him, being right, fitting, appropriate, approved, and proper in His presence, being sincere)." (Yasha’yahu/Isaiah 57:2)

Thats fantastic - thanks Theo

I'm pleased that someone else read this and appreciated it also. Anita, somehow I thought if anyone else would understand this it would be you, since you've been to Israel and understand where the Rabbinical Jews view Paul's authority.

Thanks Theo.

Gladly Dove.

I went back and put the Hebrew terms in italics and color coded the primary text in hopes of making it easier to read. I'm wondering about the no one will understand, notice or perceive aspect of the disappearances? I could see people not immediately making the connection to Scripture, however if no one notices, I'd think it would require some other event that may mask exactly what happens. I also notice that the term Ruach or Spirit is feminine in the Hebrew, which is why it is rendered She in the passage.

Theo