“CAUGHT UP” DAY OF THE LORD FEBRUARY 2, 2023

1 CORINTHIANS 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago, whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows, was caught up to the third heaven.

DEFINITIONS

Caught -c) to seize.

Rapture -d) the state of being carried away with joy, love, etc. ecstasy, an expression of great joy.

Stand -c) “Histemi,” abide, appoint, continue, covenant, establish.

I believe the Church has taught many to depend upon the rapture taking them out of this world before the bad times come. They hear this teaching year after year, never questioning it because it sounds so appealing. What if they are wrong and no rapture takes them out of this world?

MATTHEW 24:10

10. And then many will be offended and repelled and begin to distrust and desert Him Whom they ought to trust and obey and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. Amp.

I believe that Paul was caught up into the heavenlies when he was worshipping as he heard sounds or utterances beyond words. The word rapture is the state of being carried away with joy, love, etc. When we are worshipping and are truly in God’s presence it is an experience of great love and joy of which there are no words.

The last days are to be days that the glory of the Lord is revealed as never before. He will reveal Himself during the worship and times of communion with His elect. This will be where they get their strength to endure to the end.

Jesus prayed in John 17:15 “I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.” I believe the Father answered all of Jesus’ prayers. He protects us from the evil one by His presence dwelling in us. He goes on asking the Father to sanctify and purify us so that we can be with Him where He is (verses 19-24).

That is where we are caught up to. To be with Him would be the most rapturous experience possible. At the end of the last days chapter in Luke 21, verse 36 says, “Keep awake then and watch at all times praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will take place and to stand in the presence of the Son of man.”

This just might be a spiritual place of learning to stand which also comes from the same Greek word for star. His people will be bright lights in a dark world that is being judged.

🎶 SONGS – I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES – UP TO JERUSALEM – IN HIS PRESENCE – PAUL WILBUR