Harpazo: Paul and John

Both Paul and John were also ”harpazo’d” in the midst of their ministries as examples to us!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 12:

1  It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up (G726 Harpazo) to the third Heaven.

3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

4 how he was caught up (G726 Harpazo) into Paradise and heard inexpressible Words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the Truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

It is clear that Paul was not going to boast about being harpazo’d up to the third Heaven.  In no way did he want to exalt himself above those whom he was and is teaching.  He did not publicly reveal the event for fourteen years for he wanted to remain humble and focus on ministry rather than self-glorification.  Also, he heard Words in Heaven which were meant for him to hear but not to be brought back and broadcasted to others.

I have heard many who have had similar experiences, and most were unable to stay humbled but instead subtly exalted themselves and used the experience to build themselves up financially.  FATHER will judge their motives and their fruit.  We must be cautious about aligning ourselves with those who appear to be “special” as though their apparent anointing will somehow rub off on us.  All you and I need is Jesus Christ and His anointing operating through us.  It is critical for us to be led by THE SPIRIT in all areas.

John wrote by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 4:

1  After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a Throne set in Heaven, and One sat on the Throne.

3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the Throne, in appearance like an emerald.

4 Around the Throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

5 And from the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

John faithfully reported what he saw.  He was taken to a higher dimension beyond the four dimensions we are familiar with.  Why was he selected of all the disciples to write this last book?  I am convinced that his revelation of Agape Love played a vital role in such a ministry.  Recall that Jesus selected him to take care of His mother after the crucifixion.

Another important point was that he saw twenty-four elders as priests sitting on thrones with crowns of gold on their heads.  They were depicted as priests and kings.  Since the Mosaic Law forbid kings to be priests and priests to be kings, this is a representation of the church after the harpazo.  There are only three who would qualify to hold both offices:  Melchizedek, Jesus Christ, and the church.

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