Amen

The clarity is stunning

Let us remember this, though the mind is enthused in the learning of a mystery, like the Rapture. However, The Lord is the reason of the Rapture, may our focus be on Him and not the event. Though the event is a hope and comfort, but our hope is in the Lord.

The shout, voice of an archangel, the trumpet of God, the instantaneous change of mortality to immortality. These things and more, the finite mind of man cannot fathom, but it is the awareness in us of the greatness of God, an assurance to all who believe.

My personal experience

On a personal note, many years ago, in a dream I perceive what is now understood as the Rapture. Though I cannot declare I’ve seen it all, but for what was seen in this dream, has left a lasting impression and wonders in my life.

In this dream, it was a normal day, I conversed with family members of whom I haven’t seen in a long time, along with those of whom we are together regularly. Suddenly, in the transition of the dream, there were movements in the heavens. At first, it seems like the beginning of a thunderstorm on a clear sky day. However, the sound was unlike anything I have seen nor ever imagined. Before this was the sound of a wind, so powerful, the eyes could imagine seeing its power, though it was a wind and cannot be seen. I remember looking into the sky on this clear day and seeing as far as my eyes could see, but when the wind came . . . It was so powerful that where I was, became like a speck in a wind tunnel, or a tube trying to contain the highest hurricane category storm.

For me, though I experience this wind, but within me was no fear. I cannot tell how I knew what I now know, but I knew this was the Rapture. I did not resist the wind like some of the other individual tried to resist, it was a feeling of refreshment like none other. Everything was so fast and instant, yet I could see beyond my natural ability. I remember seeing a little girl, I was very fond of her. Though we never met before, but I loved her. Surprisingly, she knew everything about me. She knew my great grandmother who has gone on to be with the Lord many years earlier. I had a very protective love for her, and she knew that. She was younger than I, but our understanding was par, or hers was even better than my understanding of things. Later, I found out, Mom lost a child before it was born, and it was a girl.

Now, in continuation of the dream, the account of the mighty wind, and the movements in the sky were all as one event without any delay. Then, there were sounds in the sky, unlike anything I have felt. Yes, it was a sound, but it was felt, not just heard, but felt. Within my limited vocabulary, there are no words to describe it, but this I know, there was an urgency with the sound. It was so loud that every bone and joints in my body was effected by the sound, it took over me and I surrender. Then every tendon within me was effected as if they were consumed by the sound while being changed simultaneously. Instantaneously there was a burst of Light, a Light so grand that one can only hope to be able to yield to the Light, and not in opposition to the Light.

I cannot speak of those who first try to resist the wind. For now, all I could think of was, have your way O Lord. Powerful was this Light, it consumed everything that was being changed in me by the sound. Though it was a light, however, it had a cleansing effect like a water would wash away residues. I was drawn to the Light and it was drawn to me. The astonishment of all this was everything was instant. I was brought into attention by the Wind, changed by the sound and washed and made new by the Light.

The feeling I felt was the feeling of accomplishment and joy, but as a favor that cannot be repaid. I was a part of something, far greater than my human accomplishments.

Yes, there are symbolisms as well as direct discussion of the Rapture in the Old Testament.

The implication of the word Rapture bears similarity to the word resurrection, or the phrase the resurrection at the last day.

Before the question concerning if symbolisms of the Rapture are found in the Old Testament, it is helpful to get a grasp of the word Rapture.

Rapture in this case is the transport, or to snatch away from danger before calamity. The Bible word for Rapture used in the Scriptures is the phrase caught up. References are found in the Book of:

2 Corinthians 12:2

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Acts 8:39

Explanation of Caught up

The Phrase “caught up,” derives from the Greek word harpazō, which means to seize, snatch away, carry off by force, or to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly.

In another illustration, of such would be a child that is playing in the yard. Without any awareness, a tree branch is lingering over the child and is ready to drop. The parent sees this and hurriedly runs in the direction of the child, and snatch the child by seizing the child while removing them from the danger.

So, in relation to the discussion, the question is, who are being caught up? And who is doing the caught up. The Christian is the beneficial of the Rapture, and Christ is the one enacting the Rapture. So, like the child saved from the falling branch, previously mentioned in the illustration, what are we as Christians being saved from? The impending wrath and judgment of God on the earth. This we read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Beginning with the first, it reads, Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (meaning not everyone will die), but we shall all be changed. The change here speaks of the living will be changed from mortality to immortality. Also, those who has died will be raised from the dead to immortality. This is also known as the resurrection.

However, there is more insight as to how it will be done. For this we read in the latter verses of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven (without touching the earth, but half way in the sky) with a shout, (or a bold proclamation) with the voice of an archangel, (implies a full display might of the heavenly force) and with the trumpet of God (God’s authority) : and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together (Rapture) with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The timing of the Rapture

Though we do not know the timing of this event. However, this we know, after this event, the Rapture of the Church. Evil will manifest on earth like never before. Christianity is the Light that holds back the forces of evil to an extent. Now, imagine a world without the voice of Christianity, this is the danger wherewith we are snatched away from, or Raptured. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

However, the Rapture isn’t the end of life on earth, after a duration with the Lord, we shall return, this is known as the second coming of Christ.

Symbolisms of the Rapture in the Old Testament

For this we will now illustrate the symbolisms of the Rapture found in the Old Testament. Therefore, we will look at the story of Noah and the Ark, which is a type of the Rapture.

The Lord Jesus said; As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (referring to Himself). For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

(Matthew 24:37-39)

The idea expressed here isn’t against marriage or having a good time. However, when a nation or people focus are on the things of the world, they will fail to perceive the things of God. Consequently, they shall not perceive what is ahead of them through signs and warning.

So was the time of Noah, the Flood was the impending judgment upon the earth. Noah prepared and preached, warning those around him of the judgment that was ahead, but they listened not. Instead, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.

The ark is the type of the body of the Church. Noah and his sons, their wives and his wife, did not build themselves separate arks, but they all gathered together in one ark. Such is the coming Rapture, the word “we” is used. Hence, we shall be caught up together. Secondly, when the flood came, the ark was risen above the water, which was the type of judgment. However, like we who are a part of the Rapture, we will return to continue life on earth, a new life.

Noah and those in the ark did not sail above the waters for all eternity, or else we wouldn’t be here. Once the water subsided, the ark came down to earth. Wherewith, those who were in the ark, replenished life on earth as we know it today. Like the Rapture, at the conclusion of God’s judgment upon the earth, we shall return with the Lord, to reign with the Lord.

Other symbolisms of the Rapture in the Old Testament.

At the early history of man, corruption was his desire and immorality was the fulfillment of humanity’s evil heart. From all this was the man Enoch snatched away from, without seeing death, nor becoming the victim of an evil world. Thus, we read in (Genesis 5:24) . . . And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. The phrase “God took him” means without dying, he was "translated" or Rapture, also was Elijah.

Verse alluding to the Rapture in the Old Testament

For further evidence of the Rapture in the Old Testament, nowhere else is it beautifully explained than the book of Isaiah.

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

(Isaiah 26:19-21)