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In Spirit
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As we studied the first chapter of Revelation verse 10, we see that the Apostle John writes, "I was in the spirit on the Lord's Day(KJV). The Greek New Testament translation: "I became in spirit in the Master's day".
We looked at the construction of the original Greek and found that there was no article before the word "spirit". The Greek word [1722]en which means in, which is a preposition, preceeds the word [4151]pneuma which means spirit. Hence, the correct translation for this phrase is "I became in spirit...".
Our conclusion was that John was "in spirit" on the Lord's Day, which is the first day of the week.
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Sunday, which was known as the first day, is the day our Lord rose from the dead, the day He appeared to many before He ascended to heaven and the day the church gathered together to celebrate in worship His resurrection from the dead. John's account is the first and only time we see the term "the Lord's Day" used in the New Testament.
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To continue: In Revelation 4:1-2 we again see this same phrase used. "After these I saw, and look door having been opened in the heaven, and the sound the first which I heard as trumpet speaking with me saying: come up here, and I will show to you what is necessary to become after these. Immediately I became in spirit..."(GNT)
This appears to be an elevation in John's spiritual condition. We compare it to Paul saying, "...such an one caught up to the third heaven", 2 Corinthians 12:2. The words "caught up" translated from the Greek word [726]harpazo. And we observed that in Revelation 1:10, John was on the Isle of Patmos and in Revelation 4:2 John is summoned before the throne of GOD in heaven.
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In our study it was observed that Peter & Paul, whose conditon was described with the Greek word [1611]ekstasis, were "in spirit", but unfortunately most translations use the word "trance". See accounts in Acts 10:11; 11:5; 22:17. However, this observation proved to be the key that opened our understanding.
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In the Gospels, the Greek word [1839]existemi, from which the word [1611]ecstasis is derived, is used to describe the wonderment of the people as they see the miracles of Jesus Christ before their eyes. Example: see Matthew 12:23. The Greek word [1611]ecstasis is used to describe Peter & Paul as they are called into the presence of the Lord.
Here we see two manifestations. One in the physical realm and the other in the spiritual realm. The people were in the very presence of the Master as the miracles were performed(Ps. 57:2). And being "in spirit", one is in the presence of the Lord.
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[1611]ecstasis; from [1839]; a displacement of the mind, i.e. bewilderment, ecstasy, amazement, astonishment, rapture.
[1839]existemi; to put(stand) out of wits, i.e. astound of (reflex.) become astounded: amaze, be(make) astonished, be beside self, wonder.
We can see that the word ecstasy comes from the Greek word ecstasis. Definition follows:
"ecstasy...1a. a state of being, beyond reason & self-control...2a. a state of overwhelming emotion, esp. rapturous delight; SYN...rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude..." - Webster's Dictionary.
"rapture...1a. a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion 1b. a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things 2. an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion. SYN see ECSTASY..." - Websters Dictionary
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The definitions given in Webster's for both words, ecstasy & rapture, implies that emotion plays a role; however, "in spirit" has nothing to do with emotion as this is a physiological response. Being "in spirit" nullifies the impact of all our physical responses in relation to our spirit: the manifestation of the Spirit within us cancels out the impact of the flesh, as it envelopes & strengthens our 'little trusting spirit', which allows us to break free of the influences of the flesh and be carried into the presence of the Lord.
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However, from the definitions in Webster's, I saw that the word rapture encapsulates in one word what "in spirit" is. Thus I see that when the Lord calls, instantly, the body of Christ will become "in Spirit" and be raptured into the presence of the Lord. Hallelujah!
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As we saw that the word rapture best describes being "in Spirit", we immediately made the connection to the events described in 1Thessalonians 4:17 and 1Corinthians 15:52 which describe the catching up, the snatching away of the saints in the last days. However, the word that is used in 1Thessalonians 4:17 is the Greek word [726]harpazo, which means to seize: caught up. However, this word seems to have no similarity to the word rapture.
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In our research we found that in the early 400's Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. This Bible, known as the Latin Vulgate, is still the primary Latin translation used by the Roman Catholic Church today. Jerome's Vulgate translated the word "harpazo" as caught up, which in the Latin is "rapio". And from this is derived our English word rapture. But it was the Protestants who introduced the word "rapture" into the English language from the Latin word "raeptius".
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And so, in our study we see that different avenues of thought have come to the same conclusion. Thus, at the Lord's command, instantly, the body of Christ will become "in Spirit" and be raptured into the presence of the Lord. Hallelujah!
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