We have a faith crisis within the Body of Christ. I realize that sounds strange because we are speaking of the Body of Christ, but we seem to fall short and only have a little faith. The good news is that we can increase our faith. What is faith? What should we trust in regarding the Bible. We won’t have faith if we are in darkness. We are not appointed to wrath and all the believers in Christ will be perfected at the same time. We are still searching out the context of Paul’s complete thoughts on the harpazo and we find that we are to dress properly in this world by putting on faith. While there are many nay-sayers to this topic of the harpazo, we should attempt to look at this subject narrowly and also more broadly. For example, the greek word harpazo is used 46 times in the Bible, but some people would insist it doesn’t exist. The English word dispensation is used ten times in the Bible, but some challenge this idea of a dispensation or administration and claim that it also doesn’t exist. The word mystery occurs 36 times in the Bible but once again some contend that there is no mystery. The harpazo is an event foretold for a specific time, making it the mystery of the dispensation that we live under. Erasing words from Biblical text puts us in a position of usurping the knowledge of the Holy Spirit who gave us this text. It is one thing to be prideful in our own knowledge, but if we speak against the words of the Holy Spirit we assume a greater knowledge of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Heavenly Father’s plan for his children. In other words, no human has greater knowledge than the Holy Spirit. This in turn is a slippery slope towards blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
We are now looking at the third part of the context regarding the harpazo which Paul wrote about in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5. What day will overtake those in darkness? What are those people who are in darkness going to be surprised by? Will it be too late once the rulers and government officials say “peace and safety”?
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 G1473 But you, G1161 G80 brethren, G3756 are not G1510.2.5 G1722 in G4655 darkness, G2443 that G3588 the G2250 day G1473 [2you G5613 3as G2812 4a thief G2638 1should overtake].
4655 LSJ Gloss:σκότος darkness, gloom
Dodson:σκότος darkness darkness, either physical or moral.
Thayer:
1) darkness
1a) of night darkness
1b) of darkened eyesight or blindness
2) metaph.
2a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
2b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway
σκότος
skotos skot'-os From the base of G4639; shadiness, that is, obscurity (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: darkness.
2812
κλέπτης
kleptēs klep'-tace From G2813; a stealer (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: thief.
2638 LSJ Gloss:καταλαμβάνω to seize upon, lay hold of
Dodson:καταλαμβάνω I seize tight hold of, overtake, comprehend
(a) I seize tight hold of, arrest, catch, capture, appropriate, (b) I overtake, (c) mid. aor: I perceived, comprehended.
Thayer:
1) to lay hold of
1a) to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to, to make one's own, to take into one's self, appropriate
1b) to seize upon, take possession of
1b1) of evils overtaking one, of the last day overtaking the wicked with destruction, of a demon about to torment one
1b2) in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it
1c) to detect, catch
1d) to lay hold of with the mind
1d1) to understand, perceive, learn, comprehend
καταλαμβάνω
katalambanō kat-al-am-ban'-o From G2596 and G1983; to take eagerly, that is, seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-) take.
Once again the word “but” is a conjunction connecting two thoughts. People will say “peace and safety” and then there will be sudden destruction. But… There will be sudden destruction, but you are not in darkness. Darkness can be physical or spiritual obscurity. Physically, when the lights go out, we can’t see, and once our eyes adjust we can see a little bit but not clearly. The people who are in spiritual darkness can’t see, so then the day will happen like a thief. What day will happen like a thief? The day the harpazo occurs will be a surprise. A thief does not announce his/her arrival or warn you the day before they come to steal something.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 G3956 [3all G1473 1You G5207 4sons G5457 5of light G1510.2.5 2are], G2532 and G5207 sons G2250 of day; G3756 we are not G1510.2.4 G3571 of night G3761 nor G4655 of darkness.
5457 Dodson:φῶς light, a source of light light, a source of light, radiance.
Thayer:
1) light
1a) the light
1a1) emitted by a lamp
1a2) a heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth
1b) anything emitting light
1b1) a star
1b2) fire because it is light and sheds light
1b3) a lamp or torch
1c) light, i.e brightness
1c1) of a lamp
2) metaph.
2a) God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
2b) of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
2c) that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
2d) reason, mind
2d1) the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth
For Synonyms see entry G5817
φῶς
phōs foce From an obsolete φάω phaō (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare G5316 and G5346); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative) KJV Usage: fire, light.
3571 LSJ Gloss:νύξ the night-season
Dodson:νύξ the night, night-time.
Thayer:
1) night
2) metaph. the time when work ceases
2a) the time of death
2b) the time for deeds of sin and shame
2c) the time of moral stupidity and darkness
2d) the time when the weary and also the drunken give themselves up to slumber
νύξ
nux noox A primary word; “night” (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: (mid-) night.
Paul tells all those in the Thessalonian Church that they all are sons of light. Paul is trying to eliminate their fear as if they might have to do something to be harpazo’d. We know that this letter is in rebuttal to someone teaching something different than what Paul was teaching. Again Paul gave us a proof that whoever believes himself to be a prophet or spiritual must say what Paul says.
Paul is now making a distinction by simply giving us one side of a two sided line. The people in the church of Thessalonica were sons of light and sons of the day as compared to sons of the dark and sons of night. The church in Thessalonica is not in darkness, even though someone tried to hijack their understanding. The people in this church are not in spiritual darkness and they are not people who are morally ignorant.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 G686 So G3767 then G3361 we should not G2518 be sleeping G5613 as G2532 also G3588 the G3062 rest; G235 but G1127 we should be vigilant G2532 and G3525 be sober.
2518 LSJ Gloss:καθεύδω to lie down to sleep, sleep
Dodson:καθεύδω I sleep, am sleeping.
Thayer:
1) to fall asleep, drop off to sleep
2) to sleep
2a) to sleep normally
2b) euphemistically, to be dead
2c) metaph.
2c1) to yield to sloth and sin
2c2) to be indifferent to one's salvation
καθεύδω
katheudō kath-yoo'-do From G2596 and εὕδω heudō (to sleep); to lie down to rest, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: (be a-) sleep.
3062 Dodson:λοιπός left, left behind, the remainder
left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others.
λοιποί
loipoi loy-poy' Masculine plural of a derivative of G3007; remaining ones
KJV Usage: other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.
1127 Dodson:γρηγορέω I am awake, am vigilant, watch
(a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant.
Thayer:
1) to watch
2) metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active
2a) to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one
γρηγορεύω
grēgoreuō gray-gor-yoo'-o From G1453; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: be vigilant, wake, (be) watch (-ful).
3525 LSJ Gloss:νήφω to drink no wine
Dodson:νήφω I am calm, vigilant, sober (lit: I am sober), I am calm (vigilant), circumspect.
Thayer:
1) to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit
2) to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect
νήφω
nēphō nay'-fo Of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet KJV Usage: be sober, watch.
Since we are not of the night or the darkness, then we should not be sleeping like those who will be left behind. Instead we should be awake and vigilant. This idea refers back to 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we are not like the left behind ones who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:7 G3588 For the ones G1063 G2518 sleeping, G3571 [2night G2518 1sleep at]; G2532 and G3588 the ones G3182 being intoxicated, G3571 [2at night G3184 1are intoxicated].
3182 LSJ Gloss:μεθύσκω to make drunk, intoxicate, inebriate
Dodson:μεθύσκω I make drunk I make drunk; pass: I become drunk.
Thayer:
1) to intoxicate, make drunk
2) to get drunk, become intoxicated
μεθύσκω
methuskō meth-oos'-ko A prolonged (transitive) form of G3184; to intoxicate KJV Usage: be drunk (-en).
3184 LSJ Gloss:μεθύω to be drunken with wine
Dodson:μεθύω I am drunk I am intoxicated with wine, am drunk.
Thayer:
1) to be drunken
2) metaph. of one who has shed blood or murdered profusely
μεθύω
methuō meth-oo'-o From another form of G3178; to drink to intoxication, that is, get drunk KJV Usage: drink well, make (be) drunk (-en).
The night time activities of those who are in spiritual darkness are sleeping. It is always night for those who reject Jesus. Remember the hinge-point. If we believe Jesus died and rose up we will be harpazo’d, seized by force, if we are alive, and called up if we are dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 G1473 But we G1161 G2250 being of day G1510.6 G3525 should be sober, G1746 putting on G2382 the chest plate G4102 of belief G2532 and G26 love, …
1746 LSJ Gloss:ἐνδύω to go into
Dodson:ἐνδύω I put on, clothe I put on, clothe (another).
Thayer:
1) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's self
ἐνδύω
enduō en-doo'-o From G1722 and G1416 (in the senese of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
2382 LSJ Gloss:θώραξ a breastplate, cuirass, corslet
Dodson:θώραξ a breast-plate a breast-plate, corslet, cuirass.
Thayer:
1) the breast, the part of the body from the neck to the navel, where the ribs end
2) a breastplate or corset consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides from the neck to the middle
θώραξ
thōrax tho'-rax Of uncertain affinity; the chest (“thorax”), that is, (by implication) a corslet KJV Usage: breastplate.
4102
πίστις
pistis pis'-tis From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself KJV Usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
We should clothe ourselves with a corselet or a cuirass of trust and love. A corselet is defensive armor, and if our defensive armor is trust, then we know we will be attacked in that area. This is interesting and explains why some people refuse to believe in the harpazo, because they do not trust. They only have a little faith. Whether this is due to being spiritually attacked, the wearing down the faith of those with trust issues, or it is due to a lack of education as Paul spoke of in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, we are to clothe ourselves with this trust and love, and summon others with this logos, 1 Thessalonians 4:18. Fear is our biggest enemy in trusting our Almighty, Most High, Heavenly Father. Fear keeps us from believing what the Holy Spirit told Paul to write to us. If someone has fear and does not trust, that one is not wearing armor. No one is going to force us to dress properly for battle, if we walk around without our corselet, that is our fault. Let’s think about pistis, faith.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We have an unfortunate chapter break, noting the the conjunction “And” translated “Now” in the King James Version. The conjunction joins the two thoughts from Hebrews 10 and Hebrews 11:1. This is why there should not be a chapter break here. Let’s read this in context.
Hebrews 10:35 G3361 Do not G577 throw off G3767 then G3588 G3954 your confidence, G1473 G3748 which G2192 has G3405 [2payment G3173 1great].
36 G5281 [4of endurance G1063 1For G2192 2you have G5532 3need], G2443 that G3588 [2the G2307 3will G3588 G2316 4of God G4160 1having done], G2865 you should receive G3588 the G1860 promise, saying,
37 G2089 For yet G1063 G3397 a little while G3745 G3745 G3588 the one G2064 coming G2240 shall come, G2532 and G3756 will not G5549 delay.
38 G3588 But the G1161 G1342 just G1537 [2of G4102 3belief G2198 1shall live]; G2532 and G1437 if G5288 he keeps back, G3756 [2takes no pleasure G2106 G3588 G5590 1my soul] G1473 G1722 in G1473 him.
39 G1473 But we G1161 G3756 are not G1510.2.4 G5289 keeping back G1519 to G684 destruction, G235 but G4102 of belief G1519 for G4047 a procurement G5590 of life.
Hebrews 11:1 G1510.2.3 [3is G1161 1And G4102 2belief G1679 5of hoping G5287 4 the reality] G4229 of things, G1650 the proof G3756 not G991 being seen.
Having done the will of God you shall receive the promise that the one coming, Jesus, shall come. The righteous, innocent, and holy, live by pistis. If the righteous people cower, shrink, or conceal their faith, pistis, the writer of Hebrews does not think well of, or approve of, that person. But we are not shrinking back or evading pistis, to our own ruin or loss, but our pistis, faith, is for obtaining, possessing, and acquiring, spiritual life. And pistis is the expectant confidence and assurance of the foundation of our stand. Our faith is what we stand on. It is our foundation. What do we have faith in? That Jesus died and rose up, that is the hinge to the harpazo. This faith, trust, and belief is the foundation of our hope.
But wait, there’s more! Pistis is a producer of results. Hebrews 11 tells us of all the people who had faith and the results it produced. Abel had a righteous sacrifice because of pistis even though he died, his righteous sacrifice by faith still speaks. We see that Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets, had pistis, and the results of their own pistis. Yet listed here is one person who is our example of the harpazo. This person was Enoch.
Hebrews 11:5 (KJV)
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 G4102 By belief G* Enoch G3346 was transposed G3588 G3361 to not G1492 know G2288 death, G2532 and G3756 was not G2147 found, G1360 because G3346 [2transposed G1473 3him G3588 G2316 1God]; G4253 for before G1063 G3588 G3331 his transposition G1473 G3140 he bore witness G2100 to have been well-pleasing G3588 to G2316 God.
3346 LSJ Gloss:μετατίθημι to place among
Dodson:μετατίθημι I transfer, desert, change (a) I transfer, mid: I go over to another party, desert, (b) I change.
TBESG:μετατίθημι to transport
G:V
μετα-τίθημι
[in LXX: Gen.5:24 (לָקַח), Deu.27:17, al. (סוּג hi.),
Refs
Sir.44:16, 2Ma.7:24, al ;]
__1. to transfer to another place: with accusative, pass., Heb.11:5 (LXX); before εἰς, Act.7:16
__2. to change: with accusative, pass., Heb.7:12; before εἰς, fig., i.e. to make one thing a pretext for another, χάριν εἰς ἀσέλγειαν, Ju 4. Mid., to change oneself, pass over: before ἀπό and εἰς, Gal.1:6 (cf. 2Mac, l.with).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other)
1a) to transfer
1b) to change
1c) to transfer one's self or suffer one's self to be transferred
1c1) to go or pass over
1c2) to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another
μετατίθημι
metatithēmi met-at-ith'-ay-mee From G3326 and G5087; to transfer, that is, (literally) transport, (by implication) exchange, (reflexively) change sides, or (figuratively) pervert KJV Usage: carry over, change, remove, translate, turn.
2288 LSJ Gloss:θάνατος death
Dodson:θάνατος death death, physical or spiritual.
Thayer:
1) the death of the body
1a) that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
1b) with the implied idea of future misery in hell
1b1) the power of death
1c) since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
2) metaph., the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name,
2a) the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
3) the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
4) in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell
θάνατος
thanatos than'-at-os From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: X deadly, (be . . .) death.
3331 LSJ Gloss:μετάθεσις transposition
Dodson:μετάθεσις change, transformation, removal
(a) change, transformation, (b) removal.
TBESG:μετάθεσις removal/change
G:N-F
μετά-θεσις, -εως, ἡ
(< μετατίθημι) [in LXX: 2Ma.11:24 * ;]
__1. change of position, removal : Heb.11:5.
__2. change, as of that which has been established :
Refs
Heb.7:12 12:27.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) transfer: from one place to another
2) to change
2a) of things instituted or established
μετάθεσις
metathesis met-ath'-es-is From G3346; transposition, that is, transferral (to heaven), disestablishment (of a law) KJV Usage: change, removing, translation.
Enoch bore witness, or testified, regarding God and he was well pleasing to God before he was transferred from one place to another. This is why Enoch was transported and did not experience death. Enoch is our example of someone who was seized off the earth. Is this example enough? Do we require another example? How about Elijah? Can we have faith that what Paul says regarding the harpazo can and will happen? We have previously studied Enoch and Elijah and the purpose for both men to not have experienced death. Neither has died yet, but they will in the future. Both men pleased God because of their witness of God. Enoch wrote 365 books, but we only have a few left today. Elijah exposed the works of the devil through false prophets and caused quite a ruckus in the kingdom. By pistis both men testified of God and the results that were produced are to our benefit today. What does it say about us when we have so little faith? We are hardly comparable to those mentioned in Hebrews 11.
The writer of Hebrews goes on. While Enoch is pleasing to God because of his pistis, if we are separated from faith we are incapable of pleasing God.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
102 LSJ Gloss:ἀδύνατος unable
Dodson:ἀδύνατος incapable, impossible of persons: incapable; of things: impossible; either the inability, or that which is impossible.
Thayer:
1) without strength, impotent, powerless, weakly, disabled
2) unable to be done, impossible
ἀδύνατος
adunatos ad-oo'-nat-os From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1415; unable, that is, weak (literally or figuratively); passively impossible KJV Usage: could not do, impossible, impotent, not possible, weak.
Apart from pistis we are impotent. Impotent means that we are powerless and cannot produce or show evidence or results. Imagine being an impotent believer? Isn’t this an oxymoron? If we claim that we believe yet we do not have faith, then we are not really believers. Why?
Hebrews 11:6… G4100 [6to believe G1063 1for G1163 2it is necessary G3588 3for the one G4334 4coming forward G3588 G2316 5to God] G3754 that G1510.2.3 he is; G2532 and G3588 to the ones G1567 seeking after G1473 him G3406 [2a paymaster G1096 1he becomes].
Because it is necessary to have pistis/pisteuō. Pistis/pisteuō is binding. It binds us to God. Pisteuō is the verb form of belief (psitis). Without active action on our part, we will not be bound to the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Father. We cannot approach the Father without pistis/pisteuō. We have to pisteuō that He exists, and seek Him out. We must investigate, crave and enquire of God, then God will reward or remunerate us. Remunerate is to pay us for our services. What services? Testifying of Him. We cannot please God without pistis/pisteuō because we can’t approach Him without faith and we will not seek after Him without faith.
Now imagine, with Enoch and Elijah as our example of two people taken off the earth and not experiencing death, if we deny the harpazo of the living in Christ on the earth, we are faithless. It is impossible for us to please God. We may believe in part that Jesus lived on the earth, but our hinge point is to pisteuō, believe, that Jesus died and rose up. Is it possible that the Body of Christ lacks faith? We certainly are not pleasing to the Almighty, Most High, Eternal Father, without faith. And if our pistis/pisteuō renders results, or evidences, like the cloud of witnesses of Hebrews 11, then without faith we have no tangible evidence from the Heavenly Father. Faith first, then the evidence of our faith. Is it possible there are people who believe themselves to be part of the Body of Christ who lack faith? Did Jesus really die? Did Jesus really rise up? If he did, then it is not a stretch to believe that we will either rise up from the dead like he did, or be seized off the earth like Enoch and Elijah.
Jesus uses the phrase “ye of little faith” a few times.
Matthew 6:30 (KJV)
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Matthew 8:26 (KJV)
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Matthew 14:31 (KJV)
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matthew 16:7-8 (KJV)
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
People didn’t believe that the Heavenly Father could take care of them. The disciples were fearful of the storm. Peter doubted while standing on the water. The disciples misunderstood Jesus’ warning regarding the leaven, the fermented teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which was a warning not to esteem or regard their intentional misinformation. These are examples of little faith. Fearing God will not raise us up, or seize us off the earth, is simply not trusting that he can do what he says he will do. If we don’t trust Him, we don’t have faith.
If it is possible to have little faith, it is also possible to have big faith. If Elijah had little faith, he would not have called fire down from heaven to consume both his sacrifice and the prophets of Baal’s sacrifice. If Abraham and Sarah had little faith they would not have conceived Isaac. If Isaac had little faith he would have run away from Abraham on the mountain top as he was 37 years of age and far stronger than his father. If Enoch and Elijah were not well pleasing in their faith neither would have been transported off the earth not seeing death. Both will return as the two witnesses and then at the mid-point of the tribulation they will see death.
Hebrews 11:39-40 (KJV)
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39 G2532 And G3778 these G3956 all G3140 testifying G1223 on account of G3588 the G4102 belief G3756 while not G2865 receiving G3588 the G1860 promise,
Other than Enoch and Elijah, these Hebrews 11 witnesses did not receive the announcement of the promise of eternal life in Heaven, prior to their death, Daniel 12:2. Instead they continued to testify that the Messiah would come. They died in their faith and were taken out of Abraham’s Bay when Jesus took back the keys to death and hades. These witnesses will be called up first and the living in Christ will be seized and join them in the air.
Hebrews 11:40 G3588 G2316 [3of God G4012 4for G1473 5us G2908 2something better G5100 G4265 1having foreseen], G2443 that G3361 [2not G5565 4separate from G1473 5us G5048 1they should 3be perfected].
There is something more advantageous which they foresaw. They did not have faith for the benefits that they would receive during their lives. They had faith that the Messiah would come. They had faith they would put on incorruption together with those who lived along side the Messiah, and those who heard that the Messiah had come to earth. All those believing in Christ before he came had faith that the Father would send him. Then those who lived with him told his story so that we could believe on Jesus as Messiah as well. The pre-Messiah believers knew that they would be made perfect alongside the post-Messiah believers. All the believers in the Christ are completed together, at one time. All of the believers in Christ are brought to maturity together, not separately, not individually. No one is perfected on the day of his/her death. All those believers in Christ are perfected together at the same time. 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5 tells us the exact same thing.
This is the corselet that we are to wear. This is the defensive armor we put on. The armor of faith, pistis/pisteuō and love, agapē, that all believers in Christ, will either rise or be seized and made complete all together. If we have faith that Jesus died and rose up, we also will rise up or be taken forcefully up, like Enoch and Elijah. This is faith. But that is not all we need to wear.
4030 LSJ Gloss:περικεφαλαία a covering for the head, a helmet, cap
Dodson:περικεφαλαία a helmet.
Thayer:
1) a helmet
2) metaph.
2a) the protection of the soul which consists in (the hope of) salvation
περικεφαλαία
perikephalaia per-ee-kef-al-ah'-yah Feminine of a compound of G4012 and G2776; encirclement of the head, that is, a helmet KJV Usage: helmet.
1680 LSJ Gloss:ἐλπίς hope, expectation
Dodson:ἐλπίς hope, expectation hope, expectation, trust, confidence.
Thayer:
1) expectation of evil, fear
2) expectation of good, hope
2a) in the Christian sense
2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
3) on hope, in hope, having hope
3a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation
3b) the thing hoped for
ἐλπίς
elpis el-pece' From ἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence KJV Usage: faith, hope.
4991 LSJ Gloss:σωτηρία a saving, deliverance, preservation, safety
Dodson:σωτηρία deliverance, salvation welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety.
Thayer:
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies
1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation
1b1) of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
σωτηρία
sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally) KJV Usage: deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
We wear a helmet of the hope of deliverance. In other words the expectation of our salvation is always on our head. We think about salvation, we think about the day that we are taken up to heaven along with all the other believers in Christ. Our helmet sits upon our head and protects our thoughts. We are wearing a chest plate and a helmet while on the earth because of the attacks that we endure from the children of wrath. But we are not appointed to wrath.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9 G3754 For G3756 [4not G5087 2set G1473 3us G3588 G2316 1God] G1519 for G3709 wrath,
5087 LSJ Gloss:τίθημι to set, put, place
Dodson:τίθημι I put, place I put, place, lay, set, fix, establish.
Thayer:
1) to set, put, place
1a) to place or lay
1b) to put down, lay down
1b1) to bend down
1b2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer
1b3) to lay by, lay aside money
1c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink
1d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse
2) to make
2a) to make (or set) for one's self or for one's use
3) to set, fix establish
3a) to set forth
3b) to establish, ordain
τίθημι
tithēmi tith'-ay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate) KJV Usage: + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
3709 LSJ Gloss:ὀργή natural impulse
Dodson:ὀργή anger, wrath, passion anger, wrath, passion; punishment, vengeance.
Thayer:
1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character
2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger
3) anger, wrath, indignation
4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself
4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
ὀργή
orgē or-gay' From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment KJV Usage: anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.
We are not put in place for vengeance or punishment. Who will bring vengeance or punishment? Jesus, the lamb of God brings vengeance to earth and the Father brings vengeance to earth, both during the tribulation, Revelation 6. Who will vengeance and punishment be enacted upon? The unbelievers, and those who worship the devil. Although while this vengeance and punishment is poured out, people will be able to come to the Lord, confessing him as Messiah and Savior if they so choose. The devil however will attempt to murder these new believers in Jesus, and as we know, during the tribulation there will be a number of martyrs fulfilled.
We who believe on Jesus now are not established or ordained for anger, wrath, and indignation of the Father or the Son. Why would we be punished if we are well pleasing to the Father? Remember, for those without faith it is impossible to please Him, but that is not us, we are well pleasing because we have faith. Therefore we are not set, or put in place, for wrath, but we are set, or put in place, for safekeeping or preservation of salvation through Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9...G235 but G1519 for G4047 the procurement G4991 of salvation G1223 through G3588 G2962 our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ,
4047 LSJ Gloss:περιποίησις a keeping safe, preservation
Dodson:περιποίησις obtaining, possessing, possession acquiring, obtaining, possessing, possession, ownership.
Thayer:
1) a preserving, a preservation
2) possession, one's own property
3) an obtaining
περιποίησις
peripoiēsis per-ee-poy'-ay-sis From G4046; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation KJV Usage: obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
Because we are well pleasing to God, we are preserved for rescue. Now think about how many misinformed people believe that the Heavenly Father wants to punish us along with all the unbelievers during the tribulation. That is quite insulting to the Lord Jesus who died for us. Jesus Christ made it available that whether we live or die, we will be with him. The pre-determined plan of salvation is by faith that all those who believe will be perfected at the same time. Coincidentally, this idea is expressed in both Hebrews and Thessalonians regarding faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 G3588 the one G599 having died G5228 for G1473 us; G2443 that G1535 whether G1127 we be vigilant, G1535 or whether G2518 we sleep, G260 together G4862 with G1473 him G2198 we shall live.
1127 Dodson:γρηγορέω I am awake, am vigilant, watch
(a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant.
Thayer:
1) to watch
2) metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active
2a) to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one
γρηγορεύω
grēgoreuō gray-gor-yoo'-o From G1453; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: be vigilant, wake, (be) watch (-ful).
2518 LSJ Gloss:καθεύδω to lie down to sleep, sleep
Dodson:καθεύδω I sleep, am sleeping.
Thayer:
1) to fall asleep, drop off to sleep
2) to sleep
2a) to sleep normally
2b) euphemistically, to be dead
2c) metaph.
2c1) to yield to sloth and sin
2c2) to be indifferent to one's salvation
καθεύδω
katheudō kath-yoo'-do From G2596 and εὕδω heudō (to sleep); to lie down to rest, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: (be a-) sleep.
260 LSJ Gloss:ἅμα at once, at the same time
Dodson:ἅμα at the same time, along with at the same time, therewith, along with, together with.
Thayer:
1) at the same time, at once, together prep.
2) together with
For Synonyms see entry G5807
ἅμα
hama ham'-ah A primary particle; properly at the “same” time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association KJV Usage: also, and, together, with (-al).
2198 LSJ Gloss:ζάω to live
Dodson:ζάωI live I live, am alive.
Thayer:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real life
2a) to have true life and worthy of the name
2b) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
3a) of mortals or character
4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) metaph. to be in full vigour
5a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,
5b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
ζάω
zaō dzah'-o A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.
Whether we are alive or dead, at the same time, hama, together, we will live with Jesus. This idea that the the dead in Christ and the living in Christ will, at the same time, go to live with the Lord, is mentioned twice in this context by Paul. Paul uses this same word in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 regarding the dead and the living together, at the same time, shall meet the Lord in the air. Hebrews 11:40 suggests the same thing when it states the witnesses are not separated, meaning together at the same time the former witnesses will be perfected with us. This statement is in the negative, not separated, but Hebrews also suggests that when being separated from faith it is impossible to please Him, which is in the positive. When we are separated from faith we have a problem. As Paul is saying in this context, using the same word, hama, twice; together at the same time the dead which includes the former witnesses, and the living will meet the Lord in the air and be perfected.
How did we ever come to believe there is no harpazo? How did the devil cheat us out of summoning and inviting others to this event? Why have we continued to be faithless? Paul then wraps up this section of thoughts on the harpazo and the dead rising with calling others to this knowledge.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 G1352 Therefore G3870 comfort G240 one another, G2532 and G3618 let [2build up G1520 1one] G3588 the G1520 other one, G2531 as G2532 even G4160 you do!
3870 LSJ Gloss:παρακαλέω to call to
Dodson:παρακαλέω I summon, entreat, admonish, comfort (a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage, console.
Thayer:
1) to call to one's side, call for, summon
2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
2a) to admonish, exhort
2b) to beg, entreat, beseech
2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty
2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted
2d) to encourage, strengthen
2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging
2f) to instruct, teach
παρακαλέω
parakaleō par-ak-al-eh'-o From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) KJV Usage: beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.
3618 LSJ Gloss:οἰκοδομέω to build a house
Dodson:οἰκοδομέω I build, build up, edify I erect a building, build; fig. of the building up of character: I build up, edify, encourage.
Thayer:
1) to build a house, erect a building
1a) to build (up from the foundation)
1b) to restore by building, to rebuild, repair
2) metaph.
2a) to found, establish
2b) to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness
2c) to grow in wisdom and piety
οἰκοδομέω
oikodomeō oy-kod-om-eh'-o From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm KJV Usage: (be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.
Paul suggested this once before in 1 Thessalonians 4:18. Yes this knowledge is a comfort, but we really are to call others near to this knowledge so that they may have faith and be well pleasing to God. We are to build up and edify one another. With what? With the information of the harpazo. This is one complete thought in context. So that whether we are living or dead, though our faith in Christ, we will all be made complete and perfected together. We are not set in place for wrath, or vengeance. How absurd. If we lack faith, or if our faith is small, we can increase our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Therefore we should be calling, summoning, inviting, and teaching others these things.
What happens after we meet the Lord in the air? We usually leave the story at this point assuming everyone will be happy that we meet the Lord in the air, but there certainly is a lot more to our future than hanging around in the air. We want to look at another section Paul writes regarding the harpazo to round out our understanding and then we will explore what takes place after being harpazo’d.
