There is a phrase in Rev.4:1 that state, “…..Come up hither…..” Is this a reference to the rapture of the saints? No, this is not the rapture of the saints. This is an invitation extended to John, only. As a matter of fact, this isn’t referencing the rapture of the saints, or a rapture of John. John was invited to take a peek at heavenly things and scripture also tells us why he was invited. He received this invitation, so that future events could be revealed to him; Rev.4:1, “…..and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter…..” Remember, it was John that wrote the book of Revelation, which is the same book we are referencing right now. If this is the rapture of the saints, why would the saints have to be shown the future? They are the future, and it was recorded by John, several centuries ago.
There is no mention of saints in the entire chapter. The only possible candidates for saints are the twenty-four elders. This is a far cry from the great multitude standing before the throne, mentioned in Rev.7:9. No, the phrase ‘come up hither’ is not a reference to the rapture.
John isn’t participating in any type of rapture at all. John was merely under the anointing of the Holy Spirit: Rev.4:2, “immediately I was in the spirit …..” This is similar to what Daniel experienced in his dreams and visions mentioned in Daniel Chapters eight and nine. Physically, John never entered heaven. He was supernaturally given a glimpse of heavenly things.
Here is something else to consider. if John was in heaven, it would have been necessary for his physical body to be transformed into a spiritual body, because flesh and blood cannot be in the presence of God; 1 Cor.15:50, “…..flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God …..” Remember, if John had taken part in the rapture, he could not come back to earth in a physical body and write the book of Revelation to the seven churches. Receiving a spiritual body is a one way trip, where one no longer experiences pain and death, (Rev.21:4). John did not participate in the rapture. While under the anointing, he remained in his physical body and he wrote a physical book, named the book of Revelation.
Speak Your Mind