Scripture has a lot to say about the Rapture, and about the people who have been raptured. There are two types of rapture: 1) Bodily Rapture, and 2) Spiritual Rapture.
People Taken In The Body
In every case those who have been raptured In the Body have several things in common:
- The person being raptured knows he will be. Enoch had a full year of advance notice (Enoch 81:5-6). Elijah and two schools of prophets knew the day of his departure (2 Kings 2:3-5). Moses and Elijah spoke to Yeshua about his departure prior to his going to Jerusalem to be crucified (Luke 9:30-31).
- Horses (and often Chariots of Fire) are always present. Enoch was raptured into heaven with both horses and chariots of fire (Jasher 3:36). Elijah was also raptured into heaven with both horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 2:11). Yeshua rose riding upon his white horse (Acts 1:10-11 and Revelation 19:11).
- Other people are present who see them being raptured. Enoch was in the presence of his children and the King's men when he was raptured (Enoch 81:5-6 and Jasher 3:34). Elijah was in the presence of Elisha and fifty of the sons of the prophets when he was raptured (2 Kings 2:7). Yeshua was in the presence of the apostles, and perhaps others when he was raptured (Acts 1:10-11).
- Whirlwinds are often present. Both Enoch and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Scripture, however, gives no indication if a whirlwind was present at Yeshua's rapture.
In other words, Enoch, Elijah, and Yeshua were all raptured In the Body to Heaven and into Yahweh's presence.
People Taken In The Spirit
Many Older Covenant Examples
Many of the Older Covenant prophets saw visions of Yahweh and the Heavenly Throne Room. Micaiah the son of Imlah saw Yahweh "sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him" (1 Kings 22:19 and 2 Chronicles 18:18). Isaiah saw Yahweh "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple" (Isaiah 6:1). Ezekiel saw visions of Yahweh in his throne room (Ezekiel 1:1, 1:26, and 10:1-4). Daniel also saw Yahweh upon his throne (Daniel 7:9-10).
Two Newer Covenant Examples
Revelation 4:2 – "Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne."
There are two people of the Newer Covenant who also saw visions of Yahweh and the Heavenly Throne Room. Most know that the Apostle John was taken to heaven, and scripture clearly tells us that he was raptured In the Spirit. Most also know that the disciple Stephen saw heaven open and Yeshua standing at the right hand of Yahweh (Acts 7:55-56). Again, no bodily rapture, just a rapture In the Spirit.
A Third Newer Covenant Example
2 Corinthians 12:2 – "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven."
But what about Paul? Was he raptured In the Body or In the Spirit? Scripture indicates no advance notice. Scripture indicates no presence of horses or chariots of fire. Scripture indicates no presence of witnesses. Therefore, it is safe to declare that Paul, like many, was only raptured In the Spirit, not In the Body.
In other words, both the many Older Covenant prophets and the three Newer Covenant disciples or apostles were raptured In the Spirit to Heaven and into Yahweh's presence.
Conclusions
Enoch was the first to be raptured In the Body, and that event set the pattern for all future bodily raptures in scripture – all involve advance notice, horses, and witnesses. Several involve whirlwinds, but not all. Many have been raptured In the Spirit. It is safe to declare that when there is no presence of horses, chariots of fire, whirlwinds, or witnesses who see a bodily rapture then it is only a rapture In the Spirit.
Final Thought
Prophecy continues to unfold as foretold by the Hebrew Prophets. The day is coming when Yahweh will show his strength on the mountains of Israel. What is prophesied will come to pass, what is foretold will be made known. Time is short – Yeshua Ha'Mashiach is coming soon – get busy reaching the lost.
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