In this study we are going to look at something that Paul wrote to give encouragement to the church. It is important to pay close attention to the context as Paul says two things regarding what we are not to be upset about. In this study we will take apart one verse where Paul’s encouragement got very lost in just about every translation. It was probably not by accident that one word was distorted and one word was left out. It is the type of alteration that goes undetected when we simply read what the translators wrote. But when we look more closely, at every word in the text, we find some incredible truths.
When we study we should always let the words that the Holy Spirit wrote for us speak on their own. We do not need to set out to find something wrong. We should simply study instead and we will come across discrepancies that have to be looked at further. This study is heavy on word usage. No one ever claims word studies are exciting, but they really are. Most people simply want to have a dream or a prophetic vision to announce “new knowledge” but that is subjective to the individual who may be honest and true or a false prophet. Yet “new knowledge” that has been hiding in plain site which can be examined and studied by many people, has much more stability in the church. The Holy Spirit has told us about the harpazo in many different ways. We do not need hundreds of verses on a subject in order to believe, we just need one. However adding to the subject solidifies our understanding of this event.
In 2017 we studied the two letters to the Thessalonians that Paul wrote. Paul had to correct some misunderstandings that crept into their church by some people who wanted to cause the believers to falter in their faith. This evil intent to harm the body of Christ is usually due to control. Someone wants to take control of the church and wants people to believe and listen to them. The church started getting confused and thought there was already a harpazo or a resurrection and that they had been left behind. In his letters Paul gives us a lot of information. He tells us that we are not appointed to wrath. While that should make us feel pretty good, we seem to have to battle a lot of false teachers, false preachers, and liars, who continually tell us that the church will live through the tribulation. Because someone, somewhere, took out a crucial word from the text, we do not realize the importance of our being gathered, or harpazo’d. When we put it back, we see something pretty special about the church.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/10/rising-up-and-away-delivered-aletheia.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-defection-held-down-held-back.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/10/resurrections-punishment-know-obey-or.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/10/1-thessalonians-delusions-harpazo.html
We start off chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians with Paul saying two things for us to note; the coming of Jesus and the assembling together of us unto Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 G2065 And we ask G1161 G1473 you, G80 brethren, G5228 concerning G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G2532 and G1473 our G1997 assembling together G1909 unto G1473 him
3952 LSJ Gloss:παρουσίαa being present, presence
Dodson:παρουσία presence, a coming, arrival, advent
(a) presence, (b) a coming, an arrival, advent, especially of the second coming of Christ.
Strong’s:παρουσία a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect Derivation: from the present participle of G3918; KJV Usage: coming, presence.
TBESG:παρουσία coming
G:N-F
παρ-ουσία, -ας, ἡ
[in LXX: Neh.2:6 A,
__1. usually in cl., a being present, presence:
__2. a coming, arrival, advent (Soph., Eur., Thuc., al., see LS, see word; so Jth, l.with,
in late writers (see M, Th., 145 ff.; MM, xix; LAE, 372 ff.) as technical term for the visit of a king; hence, in NT, specif. of the Advent or Parousia of Christ :
(AS)
Thayer:
1) presence
2) the coming, arrival, advent
2a) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
παρουσία
parousia par-oo-see'-ah From the present participle of G3918; a being near, that is, advent (often, return; specifically of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physical aspect KJV Usage: coming, presence.
1997 LSJ Gloss:ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering
Dodson:ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering together a gathering (collecting) together, assembling.
Strong’s:ἐπισυναγωγή a complete collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship) Derivation: from G1996; KJV Usage: assembling (gathering) together.
TBESG:ἐπισυναγωγή gathering
G:N-F
ἐπι-συν-αγωγή, -ῆς, ἡ
(< ἐπισυνάγω), [in LXX: 2Ma.2:7 * ;]
a gathering together, assembly: Heb.10:25; before ἐπί, 2Th.2:1 (cf. 2Mac, l.with).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a gathering together in one place
2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἐπισυναγωγή
episunagōgē ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay' From G1996; a complete collection; specifically a Christian meeting (for worship) KJV Usage: assembling (gathering) together.
Our two key words are parousia and episunagōgē. Parousia is the “coming” of Jesus on the Day of the Lord, which comes at the end of the tribulation. The word episunagōgē is the “above synagogue”. The above synagogue comes before the parousia, but the people in Thessalonica thought that Jesus already gathered the church and that they were going through the wrath. Paul told them in his first letter 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that they were not appointed to wrath. Therefore they are not to be frightened about the future tribulation. Paul then proceeds to tell them what will take place regarding the son of perdition. Paul is giving them a benchmark for time. If they do not see this happening, then they are not in that time period. They lived in the time period before Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple leveled. Understand, the temple was still standing and in use. We are still not in the time of the son of perdition as there is no temple and no holy of holies for the anti-christ to go into.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/05/above-congregation-lifted-up-and-away.html
We can see from the text that Paul fully expected a temple and daily sacrifices to be made so that this man will go into the holy of holies and he will sit down in the holy of holies, but will not die. He will come out and declare that he is god. Of course this will be confusing to the Jews because they believed that their temple is a holy place and that Yahweh would dwell there. Their ancestors rejected Yahweh and the temple was destroyed, so they will reconstruct the temple in their own efforts and once again offer sacrifices. Yet that does not make the temple a holy place.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/04/uzziah-and-earthquake-son-of-perdition.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-defection-held-down-held-back.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2022/05/obstruct-logos-peace-rest-and-apostasy.html
We see by verse 13 that Paul changes his focus here to the church. He starts talking to the people who are saved believers. He tells them that he is thankful for them at all times.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 G1473 But we G1161 G3784 ought G2168 to give thanks G3588 G2316 to God G3842 at all times G4012 concerning G1473 you, G80 brethren G25 beloved G5259 by G2962 the Lord, G3754 that G138 [2took you up G1473 G3588 G2316 1God] G575 from G746 the beginning G1519 for G4991 deliverance G1722 in G38 sanctification G4151 of spirit, G2532 and G4102 belief G225 of truth,
14 G1519 in G3739 which G2564 he called G1473 you G1223 through G3588 G2098 our good news G1473 G1519 in G4047 procurement G1391 of the glory G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ.
138 Dodson:αἱρέω I choose, prefer.
Strong’s:αἱρέομαι to take for oneself, i.e. to prefer Derivation: probably akin to G142; KJV Usage: choose.
Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate ἕλλομαι ; which is otherwise obsolete. G142
TBESG:αἱρέω to choose
G:V
αἱρέω,
[in LXX for אמר hi., בּחר, etc. ;]
to take; Mid., -ομαι (M, Pr., 158 f.; MM, VGT, see word), to choose:
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to take for oneself, to prefer, choose
2) to choose by vote, elect to office
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
αἱρέομαι
aihreomai hahee-reh'-om-ahee Probably akin to G142; to take for oneself, that is, to prefer . Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate ( ἕλλομαι h ellomai ), which is otherwise obsolete KJV Usage: choose. Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate hellomai, hel-lom-ahee; which is otherwise obsolete.
We see here the differentiation of the words “took you up” as compared to modern translations. This word is used a total of 11 times in scripture. This is a strange translation because the word used here aihreomai is translated “took or take up” eight times, twice as “seems good” and once as “choose”. It is almost as if the idea of choose was a later choice for the word and the translators added the definition and defined it this way to accommodate their ideas. This caused Paul’s words to mean something different than what he wrote.
Let’s look closely at these Greek words. Dotson uses αἱρέω but Strongs uses αἱρέομαι. The word used is αἱρέομαι but notes it comes from ἕλλομαι meaning “I’m coming” or “let go”. The LXX- WH notes the word as ειλατο meaning “came” or “go to”. We do not have to be Greek scholars to see that the word is different. We see there is a mystery here with this word. It is suggested that it is similar to αἴρω #142, which is different than all the above ideas. Understanding that Paul was a Greek Jew who spoke Aramaic, Greek, and Hebrew makes the mystery understandable. This word is a compound word that translators related to the old testament είλου or είλατό which shows an action of coming or going, and being taken.
The word “from” #575 is also properly used as “away, off, or away from” which gives us a better understanding of this word. If he “took us away from” something first for deliverance, then the translation “took up” is more understandable. He takes us up away first for deliverance. We could say he “chooses us away first” but that is not as understandable. Since the translators only translated this word ειλατο once as “choose”, then we have to be suspicious of that alteration. The word has to match the surrounding words in the sentence.
142 LSJ Gloss:αἴρω to take up, raise, lift up
Dodson:αἴρω I raise, lift up I raise, lift up, take away, remove.
Strong’s:αἴρω 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 H5375) to expiate sin
Derivation: a primary root; KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
TBESG:αἴρω to take up
G:V
αἴρω,
[in LXX chiefly for נשׂא, also for לקח, etc. ;]
__1. to raise, take up, lift or draw up:
__2. to bear, carry:
__3. to bear or take away, carry off, remove:
(see Lft., Notes, 216), al.; of the taking away sin by Christ,
(Cf. ἀπ᾽, ἐξ-, ἐπ-, μετ-, συν-, ὑπερ-αίρω). For exx. from π., see MM, VGT, see word)
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
3i) cause to cease
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
αἴρω
airō ah'ee-ro A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
This is why in eight verses out of eleven this word was translated “took or take up”. Some people might think we can rely on the Old Testament Hebrew for an accurate translation, but the Hebrew translates αἱρέω six different ways and their translation comes from the Septuagint. Basically the Masoretes rewrote the text to accommodate their own ideas which then confused modern translators who used the Masoretic text of the old testament as a guide to understand this word. If we take the majority opinion of “took or take up” eight verses out of eleven, we can understand that what Paul was saying ties back to the above synagogue. How did the synagogue end up epi “above”?
The LXX-WH translates this as follows:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 G2249 P-1NP ημεις G1161 CONJ δε G3784 [G5719] V-PAI-1P οφειλομεν G2168 [G5721] V-PAN ευχαριστειν G3588 T-DSM τω G2316 N-DSM θεω G3842 ADV παντοτε G4012 PREP περι G5216 P-2GP υμων G80 N-VPM αδελφοι G25 [G5772] V-RPP-NPM ηγαπημενοι G5259 PREP υπο G2962 N-GSM κυριου G3754 CONJ οτι G138 [G5668] V-AMI-3S ειλατο G5209 P-2AP υμας G3588 T-NSM ο G2316 N-NSM θεος G575 PREP | απ G746 N-GSF αρχης G536 N-ASF | απαρχην G1519 PREP | εις G4991 N-ASF σωτηριαν G1722 PREP εν G38 N-DSM αγιασμω G4151 N-GSN πνευματος G2532 CONJ και G4102 N-DSF πιστει G225 N-GSF αληθειας
14 G1519 PREP εις G3739 R-ASN ο G2532 CONJ | | " και " G2564 [G5656] V-AAI-3S | εκαλεσεν G5209 P-2AP υμας G1223 PREP δια G3588 T-GSN του G2098 N-GSN ευαγγελιου G2257 P-1GP ημων G1519 PREP εις G4047 N-ASF περιποιησιν G1391 N-GSF δοξης G3588 T-GSM του G2962 N-GSM κυριου G2257 P-1GP ημων G2424 N-GSM ιησου G5547 N-GSM χριστου
“But we should be thankful the Elohim always about you brothers loved by Yahweh because takes up you the Elohim away off first, the first fruits into rescue, in purification spirit and trust truth into this and summon you through the gospel of (from) us into acquisition glory the Yahweh of us Jesus Messiah.”
We would say that Paul is telling people to be thankful that they are loved by Yahweh because the Elohim takes us up away off first, or in the beginning. Beginning of what? The beginning of the tribulation when the son of perdition comes.
The word in the LXX-WH is ειλατο in the aorist tense. An aorist tense conveys a single discreet action which tells us this is better understood as “takes up” the middle voice makes this the principal subject and an agent of an action. The action is the taking up and off or taking up and away from, whatever happens on the earth, which he just described, is implied.
To reiterate, the word aihreomai αἱρέομαι, is used in scripture eleven times. It is only translated once as “choose”. The problem we have is if we use “choose”, we then have to make the word “chosen” which changes the tense of the word from present to past. What is the problem with that? It makes the idea as if some people are chosen and some are not. Paul is speaking to the whole church not to unbelievers. Translators then start a whole new mess. As we know, we choose Him. To Jesus it is like rolling dice, he gets whoever chooses Him. We have to choose to believe. The Elohim doesn’t pick one person over another, that would be contradictory to his own love for us. What if he chooses me but not you? How would you know that you weren’t chosen? No, Paul cleared that up with his letter to the Ephesians.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/07/predestined-and-sealed-chosen-by-lot.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2017/02/choice-predestined-path-eternal-life.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/10/chosen-by-lot-peace-sacred-love-hold-up.html
Now we might think that the translators had some personal bias choosing some people over others. Many have used that “threat” as a tool of manipulation. There is something else at work here. Satanas works hard to make us give up or quit serving Jesus Christ. He can twist and spin ideas that are harmful and influence people to reject the word of God. What happens to those who dissuade others from believing on Jesus as Lord and Messiah? What happens when those people stay lost? Or what happens to the believers who become discouraged by those who denounce the harpazo? Believers who are discouraged do not rise up to the daily spiritual battles around them. They become defeated. For those who preach defeatism to the body of Christ, there is a time coming where you will wish you hadn’t. Sometimes people preach defeatism because they want everyone else to be miserable like themselves, and sometimes they do it for control and manipulation. Whatever it is, Jesus says that a millstone is better than what is coming for those who cause the young believers to fall away from him.
Now we come to the part where there is a missing word in some texts. That word is the word ἀπαρχή, “first fruits”. The Elohim takes us up away first because we are the first fruits, an offering.
536 LSJ Gloss:ἀπαρχή the beginning of a sacrifice, the primal offering
Dodson:ἀπαρχή the first-fruits
the first-fruits, the earliest crop of the year, hence also met., for example, of the earliest converts in a district; there is evidence in favor of rendering in some passages merely by: sacrifice, gift.
Strong’s:ἀπαρχή a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the (Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively)
Derivation: from a compound of G575 and G756;
KJV Usage: first-fruits.
TBESG:ἀπαρχή firstfruits
G:N-F
ἀπ-αρχή, -ῆς, ἡ
(< ἀπάρχομαι, to make a beginning in sacrifice, offer first fruits) [in LXX chiefly for תְּרוּמָה, רֵאשִׁית ;]
__1. the beginning of a sacrifice.
__2. first fruits: τοῦ φυράματος (cf.
. Metaph., ἀ. τοῦ πνεύματος: Rom.8:23; of Christians:
(WH, mg., R, mg., txt., ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς; see Lft., Notes, 119 f.),
; of Christ:
(Cremer, 117; MM, VGT, see word).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to offer firstlings or firstfruits
2) to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.
3) persons superior in excellence to others of the same class
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἀπαρχή
aparchē ap-ar-khay' From a compound of G575 and G756; a beginning of sacrifice, that is, the (Jewish) first fruit (figuratively) KJV Usage: first-fruits.
Let’s look at a few other translations of this verse that add the word “first fruits”.
Douay Rheims
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (2:12) But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth:
https://studybible.info/DouayRheims/2%20Thessalonians%202
Wycliffe
2 Thessalonians 2:12 But, britheren louyd of God, we owen to do thankyngis euermore to God for you, that God chees vs the firste fruytis in to heelthe, in halewing of spirit and in feith of treuthe;
https://studybible.info/Wycliffe/2%20Thessalonians%202
Vulgate
2 Thessalonians 2:13 nos autem debemus gratias agere Deo semper pro vobis fratres dilecti a Deo quod elegerit nos Deus primitias in salutem in sanctificatione Spiritus et fide veritatis
2 Thessalonians 2:13 but we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by God, because God has chosen us as the first fruits for salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of the truth
https://studybible.info/Vulgate/2%20Thessalonians%202
Clementine Vulgate
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Nos autem debemus gratias agere Deo semper pro vobis, fratres dilecti a Deo, quod elegerit vos Deus primitias in salutem in sanctificatione spiritus, et in fide veritatis
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we must always thank God for you, brothers beloved by God, that God chose you the first fruits for salvation in the sanctification of the spirit and in the faith of the truth.
https://studybible.info/Clementine_Vulgate/2%20Thessalonians%202
Amplified
2 These onions 2:13 But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning as His firstfruits (first converts) for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth.
The Amplified Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1987), 2 Th 2:13.
English Standard
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Th 2:13.
We see that the word “first fruits” was included in several translations. It was probably deleted by someone who did not want the church to be known as the first fruits. Put the two discrepancies together and what do we see? The first fruits are an offering that will be taken up away first, before the tribulation, before the son of perdition comes. Now we can understand this better. The harpazo, the seizing up into heaven, along with the dead in Christ is an offering of first fruits to the Father. Jesus’ offering of first fruits of you and I is a sacrifice offering to the Heavenly Father.
Look at Thayers definition:
2) to take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.
Paul describes us as the show bread in the temple. We are exposed before the Elohim.
Ephesians 3:11 G2596 according to G4286 the intention G3588 of the G165 eons, G3739 which G4160 he made G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G3588 G2962 our Lord; G1473
The word prothesis, translated intention means "a setting forth”, like the show bread in the temple. The show bread is exposed before God. The church, the ekklesia, is exposed before the Elohim. The multifaceted and varied intelligence and knowledge of the Elohim was to keep secret until the new age of the Holy Spirit, who the called out are and what their purpose is. Our purpose is for us to be partners with Jesus Christ. The multifaceted wisdom of God is that our words have miracle working power, especially in the good news. We were created to be joint heirs and of the same body as Christ, and to be set forth or exposed before the Elohim. There is no veil between the table of show bread and the holy of holies.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/08/rhema-spiritual-downloads-presented-in.html
We are the people consecrated before God, the show bread, the first fruits, the first portion of dough. Paul describes us as a sacrifice and and offering. But there is more.
“But we should be thankful the Elohim always about you brothers loved by Yahweh because takes up you the Elohim away off first, the first fruits into rescue, in purification spirit and trust truth into this and summon you through the gospel of (from) us into acquisition glory the Yahweh of us Jesus Messiah.”
We are taken up away as the sacrificial first fruits, into rescue, or deliverance. What are we rescued from? The total reign of Satanas and Drakōn on the earth. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, once we are taken up away, Satanas has total dominion. Right now he does not have complete dominion. Peter told us that because angels sinned the world is in chaos and that Yahweh knows how to deliver the godly like Noah and Lott. What is he going to deliver us from? The wrath. We are not appointed to wrath, as Paul already mentioned to the Thessalonica church.
We are the first fruits because the Holy Spirit is sealing us for redemption.
Romans 8:22 G1492 For we know G1063 G3754 that G3956 all G3588 the G2937 creation G4959 groans together, G2532 and G4944 suffers distress together, G891 as far as G3588 the G3568 present.
23 G3756 [2not G3440 3only that G1161 1And], G235 but G2532 also G1473 ourselves G3588 [2the G536 3first-fruit G3588 4of the G4151 5spirit G2192 1having], G2532 even G1473 we G1473 ourselves G1722 in G1438 ourselves G4727 moan, G5206 [2adoption G553 1awaiting] -- G3588 the G629 release by ransom G3588 G4983 of our body.
There are different “first fruits” understood in the new testament. One of the first fruits is Christ himself. Another first fruit is the nations, that would be us either dead or alive at the taking up away before the tribulation. Another first fruit is the 144,000 virgin young men. Another first fruit is the people at the end of the tribulation on the Day of the Lord who receive Jesus as the Messiah. The first fruit is understood as the very first of the crops that gets harvested. The first fruits are the first offering to the Elohim. How does that apply here. The people who believed that the Messiah was coming and lived accordingly, together with those who believed that Jesus is the Messiah after he came to earth, have all died. But they will rise up first when Jesus calls in the air. Those who believe Jesus is the Messiah and are alive on the earth when the dead are raised, will be caught up with them. The rest of the people who later believe will not be the first fruits. They will be fruit, but not first fruits. The first fruits are delivered from the wrath to come. The 144,000 are heirs of Jacob, descendants from every tribe, but they are virgin males who have never lied. They are another group of first fruits caught up to heaven midway through the tribulation. The first fruits at the parousia, the Day of the Lord, are those who made Jesus Lord and Messiah after the harpazo, they lived through the tribulation and never took the mark of the beast.
What we are to recognize is that whether it was intentional or unintentional, Paul explained the harpazo by using the words “takes up away first, the first fruits for rescue”. He clearly tells us before the things that he just explained from verses 2-12, first, the first fruits are taken up away. The first fruits are taken up away first, because they are the above congregation, the episunagōgē. We are the offering, the first of all the nations to believe on Jesus as Lord and that he rose up on the third day. Not to be high minded or anything but Thayer’s third definition of the word first fruits explains that we are important: 3) persons superior in excellence to others of the same class. Why? Because we believed on Jesus first. We do not need to wait until he is seated as King of kings and Lord of lords to believe. We do not need to see him coming with an army to destroy the beast to believe. We believe on Him first. We believe he was who he said he was, and he is who he said he is, and he will do what he says he will do. Therefore prepare for rising up away first, as a first fruits offering.
