REASON # 2 – Scriptural/Historical Evidence of Previous RapturesGenesis 5:18-24

#1 Reason – Unfulfilled Promises To the People of Israel.

We are going to look at three individuals who experienced a translation, rapture, a carrying away or snatching away. The first one is a man named Enoch; a man who “Walked with God”. The second man is known as the Prophet of Fire, and that is the prophet Elijah. The third one is the greatest and wisest and sinless man who walked on earth, and that is Jesus, though He was not raptured before death, He was forty days after He arose from death. Then there is the question of the many who “Arose and came out of their graves after His resurrection”. What happened to them?

 

THE PERSON OF ENOCH AND HIS RAPTURE (Gen. 5:18-24; Jude 14, 15; Heb. 11:5-6).

Enoch was the son of Jared, and father of Methuselah. Jared’s name means – ‘Came down’ or ‘descend’ Enoch’s name means – ‘Experience’ Methuselah’s name means – ‘Death which would bring’ or ‘When he is dead it shall be sent’.

Enoch apparently started walking with God, only because of the message of God through the name of his son, at the age of 65. If God gave you a son and told you to name him ‘When he is dead it will be sent’, wouldn’t you start walking with God? He walked with God 300 years.

Can we know what Enoch did for all those 300 years (Jude 14, 15)? He preached the coming of the Lord with ‘Ten thousands of His saints’. He preached repentance. He preached the judgment of God upon unholiness, and in holiness. It looks to me like he preached the rapture – how did those ‘Ten thousands of saints’ get with the Lord, and what does this have to do with the judgment of the flood.

Enoch was raptured [translated] from this world (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5). In the genealogy of Genesis 5 this is the only one which it does not say, “And he died”. It says, “And he was not; for God took Him.

 

THE PERSON OF ELIJAH AND HIS RAPTURE – A NOTABLE EVENT (2 Kings 2:9-12).

Where we find Elijah. Preaching to king Ahab (1 Kings 18:1-20). Challenging the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:21-40). Fleeing from queen Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Feeling sorry for himself, and saying he was the only prophet of God being faithful to God. Being fed by ravens sent from God for his provisions. Hearing God’s ‘still small voice’. Calling Elisha to be his assistant in the last days of his ministry as prophet. (1 Kings 19:19-21).

What Elijah preached. The repentance of God’s people and the king – turn away, refuse Baal, and return to the LORD God. He called for king Ahab to be rid of Baal – it was his wife Jezebel who brought the abominable worship before the people of Israel. Did Elijah die or is he yet living (2 Kings 2:11). He was taken up in a ‘chariot of fire’, pulled by ‘horses of fire’. This ‘fire’ seems to be the glory of the Lord Himself. Elisha was witness of this glory and glorious event. There were others who seemed to have witnessed this event as well, because they wanted to send men to look over the hills of the area to be sure that Elijah had not fallen out of the chariot or something, and maybe be injured or something. SEE 2 Kings 2:15-18. Elijah appears again with Jesus and Moses (Matthew 17:1-8).

Does Enoch and Elijah believe in the rapture of the Church? I would imagine they do.

 

THE PERSON OF JESUS AND THOSE WHO WERE HIS FIRST FRUITS (Matthew 27:52-53; Acts 1:9-11).

Isn’t what happened to Jesus; His ascending into heaven; a rapture?

Jesus arose and came out of the grave – His rapture delayed due to other duties you could say.

The saints in the graves who were raised. Though it does not say specifically what became of them I would not dare assume they went back to their graves, and died again. I am much in favor of calling them His “First fruits” of His resurrection – the first fruits of the first fruits. They, most likely, would have gone up with Jesus.

 

WHAT THESE RAPTURES HAVE TO DO WITH THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.

Enoch was taken out before the judgment of the world by the flood.

Elijah was taken out before judgment upon Israel fell.

Jesus as the ‘first fruits’ and those who were His ‘first fruits’ were taken out to fulfill Scripture and glorify the Lord.

We will be taken out to see Jesus face to face, glorify Him and so that judgment might come on the earth, putting an end to sin, and it will be such as has never been seen before. The Church has not been appointed to wrath, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” 1 Thes. 5:9-10. This is a means of comforting one another; “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” 1 Thes 4:18; “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thes. 5:11.

These previous raptures assure us that rapture is feasible, and possible, and sure.