Rapture:

This word is not found anywhere in the bible and it comes from a blending of a handful of verses.  It must be noted however, that just because the word is not found in the bible is NOT A REASON TO REJECT it as some are inclined to do.  That is a very shallow argument for rejecting something.  There are MANY words in our language that are not found in the bible, yet they are used to describe real things.

For Example:  You won't find the words automobile, dinosaur, airplane, politician, or gangster.  The list could go on, but you get the idea.

Since the word rapture is not found in the bible, it is of great importance to understand just where it came from and how the church began to use it.  The word ‘Rapture’ is translated from the Latin word Raptos, or Repere (which by the way is translated from the Greek word Harpazo.

 If you have a Strong's concordance let's examine some word meanings.  If you don't have a Strong's concordance, may I recommend to you an excellent biblical resource that contains numerous translations of the bible as well as a topical bible, Strong's concordance and Matthew Henry's commentaries?  SwordSearcher is an excellent bible program that I personally use when not reading the printed Word.

First search for the word harpazo.  You will find in the Strong's Concordance a number beside the word.

726. harpazo

Search for G726 in KJVSL  (King James Version Strong's Lexicon)...the "G" stands for Greek.  Turn to the Greek section in the Strong's concordance and look up the number of the word for Harpazo.  We find the following:

arpazw harpazo har-pad'-zo 

from a derivative of 138; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). 

See Greek 138 

138. haireomai

Search for G138 in KJVSL

aireomai haireomai hahee-reh'-om-ahee 

probably akin to 142; to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer:--choose. Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate hellomai hel'-lom-ahee; which is otherwise obsolete. 

See Greek 142

 142. airo

Search for G142 in KJVSL

airw airo ah'-ee-ro 

a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare 5375) to expiate sin:--away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

It is of utmost importance when using this word that we understand something: 

The greek word  "klepto" (Strong's Number 2813), (from which we get kleptomaniac) could have been used!   

The word Klepto means to steal secretly.  IN other words, the definition here COULD have meant a SECRET catching away if  the word Klepto had been used.  However, the writers of the New Testament used Harpazo, not Klepto.

Let’s define some additional terms before we continue the lesson:

 Wrath: 

3709. orge

Search for G3709 in KJVSL

orgh orge or-gay' 

from 3713; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment:--anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath. 

See Greek 3713

Tribulation: 

2347. thlipsis

Search for G2347 in KJVSL

qliqiV thlipsis thlip'-sis 

from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. 

See Greek 2346

Church 

1577. ekklesia

Search for G1577 in KJVSL

ekklhsia ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah 

from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.

Now that we have some basic definitions, let's continue the study: