Perhaps you have heard that Enoch and Philip just disappeared. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When we let scripture interpret scripture, all praise to Yahweh, we find a completely different account. Let’s take a closer look.
Word Definitions
Harpazo, [G726 ἁρπάζω]
The traditional definition of Harpazo means to be seized or plucked up by force, to catch (away, or up), pluck, pull, or to take by force. But there is another definition of harpazo that my better fit the compassionate Yeshua who asks the willing to gather – and that definition is: To eagerly gather together those who are loved.
Laqach [H3947 לָקחַ]
The definition of laqach is : to take, seize, send for, fetch, carry away, or to marry.
Word Comparisons
If we compare the Older Covenant Hebrew word laqach with the Newer Covenant word harpazo we find that laqach and harpazo are almost identical in meaning and have an equal interpretation. Here are some scriptures that graphically state that neither word means to instantly disappear.
Enoch walked away with Elohim, because Elohim had carried H3947 (laqach) him away {Genesis 5:24 } and Elijah was taken H3947 (laqach) while Elisha and the prophets all saw him ascend {2 Kings 2:3, 5, 9}.
Neither disappeared in a nanosecond.
Violent men “take the kingdom of heaven by force G726” (harpazo) {Matthew 11:12}. This process has been ongoing for roughly 6000 years and is still happening!
Not even close to a nanosecond of instant occurrence!
The evil one “snatches away G726 (harpazo) the words of Yahweh if that person fails to understand their meaning” {Matthew 13:19}. This process usually happens over a period of time – we call this a falling away or an apostasy.
Not even close to a nanosecond of instant occurrence!
Yeshua knew that people wanted to seize him by force G726 (harpazo) so he departed to the mountains {John 6:15}.
Yet another example of a harpazo that did not occur in a nanosecond of time.
The centurions were afraid the crowd would kill Paul sot hey ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force G726 (harpazo) to the barracks {Acts 23”10}.
This removal from the public arena to the barracks did not happen in a nanosecond.
Robbers come to plunder and steal G726 (harpazo) and to carry off G726 (harpazo) the goodies they have found {Matthew 12:29}. This usually takes a bit of time. When the SWAT team shows up at the door to seize the criminal and carry them off by force, rarely does the SWAT team instantly remove someone – how many times have we seen on TV the hours long standoffs.
Never do criminal activities and the arrest of those same criminal happen in a nanosecond.
Again, if we compare the Older Covenant Hebrew word laqach with the Newer Covenant word harpazo we find that neither word has a definition that indicates time or instant disappearance – just the amount of force used to move someone or something from one location to another.
Not A Disappearing Act – Enoch
The Older Covenant Scriptures and Enoch
Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked H1980 with Elohim, then he was no more H369 1&2 because Elohim took him H3947 3&4
Three words are highlighted: Halak [H1980 הָלַך], ‘Ayin [H369 אַיִן], and Laqach [H3947 לָקחַ].
The definition of halak is to walk away.
The definition of ‘ayin is used as a negative particle.
The definition of laqach is to fetch, to carry away, or to marry.
Notes
1. The phrase he was no more is better stated as: not found
2. The Hebrew construction has the negative particle אֵין (ʾen, “there is not,” “there was not”) with a pronominal suffix, “he was not.” Instead of saying that Enoch died, the text says he was no longer present.
3. The text implies that Elohim overruled death for Enoch who walked with him.
4. The text simply states that Elohim carried Enoch away, not that Enoch instantly disappeared into thin air.
Disappearing in Hebrew
The Hebrew word for disappear is daak [H1846 דָּעַךְ].
Daak does not occur in Genesis 5:24.
A more accurate translation of Genesis 5:24 therefore is: “Enoch walked away with Elohim, and he was no longer present because Elohim had carried him away.” In conclusion, while it has been said by many that the account in Genesis 5:24 of Elohim taking Enoch is yet another example of an Instant Disappearance, nothing could be further from the truth.
Laqach used elsewhere
Laqach is also used of a woman being taken from Adam’s rib and for Elijah being taken from this world.
Genesis 2:22 The rib which Yahweh Elohim had taken H3947 from Adam, he made into a woman.
2 Kings 2:10 If you see me taken H3947 from you . . .
And Elijah’s rapture was a very witnessed event – Elisha and the prophets all saw him ascend.
The Newer Covenant Scriptures and Enoch
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up G3346 1 so that he did not see death 2, and he was not to be found G2147 because Theos took him up G3346 3. For before his removal G3331 he had been commended as having pleased Theos.
Three words are highlighted: metatithemi [G3346 μετατίθημι], heurisko [G2147 εὑρίσκω], and metathesis [G3331 μετάθεσις].
The definition of metatithemi is (literally) to transport, or to bring back.
The definition of heurisko is to come upon something through purposeful search, or find accidentally.
The definition of metathesis is a transposition, i.e. a transferal (to heaven).
Notes
1. The Greek words also confirm that Enoch was only transferred (back) to heaven, he did not just disappear.
2. The text implies that Elohim overruled death for Enoch who walked with him.
3. The text simply states that Elohim carried Enoch away, not that Enoch instantly disappeared into thin air.
Disappearing in Greek
The Greek word for disappear is aphanizō [G853 ἀφανίζω].
Aphanizō does not occur in Hebrews 11:5.
Not A Disappearing Act – Philip
Acts 8:39-40 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of Yahweh snatched away G726 Philip, and the eunuch did not see G1492 him any more G3756, but went on G4198 his way rejoicing. Philip, however, showed up at Ashdod and as he passed through G1330 the area continued proclaiming the Good News.
Five words are highlighted: Harpazo [G726 ἁρπάζω], ouketi [G3765 οὐκέτι], Eido [G1492 εἴδω], Poreuomai [G4198 πορεύομα], and Dierchomai [G1330 διέρχομαι] .
The definition of harpazo is to seize, to force, or to carry off, often in a forceful manner.
The definition of ouketi is not yet, no longer.
The definition of eido is (properly) to see; (but not limited to the eye).
The definition of poreuomai is (especially) to depart.
The definition of dierchomai is to traverse, to travel, to go through.
The Greek words confirm that Philip was only transferred to heaven, he did not just disappear.
Disappearing in Greek
The Greek word for disappear is aphanizō [G853 ἀφανίζω].
Aphanizō does not occur in Acts 8:39.
A more accurate translation of Acts 8:39 therefore is: “After Philip and the Eunuch came up out of the water, the Spirit of Yahweh carried Philip away, and the Eunuch did not see him again because he returned to Ethiopia with great joy. Philip, however, traveled through Ashdod, and as he passed through continued to proclaim the Good News.”
The word Harpazo is also used in:
John 6:15 Yeshua knew that they were on the point of coming and seizing G726 him.
Acts 23:10 The dispute became so violent G726 that the commander, fearing that Paul would be torn apart by them, ordered the soldiers to go down, take by force G726 and bring him back into the barracks.
Jude 1:22-23 Rebuke some who are disputing; save others, snatching G726 them out of the fire;
Disappearing in Greek
The Greek word for disappear is aphanizō [G853 ἀφανίζω].
Aphanizō also does not occur in John 6:15, Acts 23:10, nor in Jude 1:22-23.
While it has been said by many that the account in Acts 8:39-40 of the Spirit of Yahweh taking Philip away from the Eunuch is yet another example of an Instant Disappearance, nothing could be further from the truth.
Conclusions
Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness alone will not be sufficient . . . the matter will be established only if there are two or three witnesses.”
Two or more witnesses are required to establish a matter according to numerous scriptures (see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2Corinthians 13:1; and Hebrews 10:28).
• We have three witnesses that the Hebrew and Greek accounts of Enoch being taken by Yahweh / Theos is not an instant disappearance event – Enoch is simply walking with Elohim and is carried aloft.
• And we have three witnesses that the word Harpazo does not indicate an instant disappearance event – merely an event that takes place forcefully, fervently, or enthusiastically.
Sound Doctrine
Teaching that Enoch or Philip instantly disappear, much less disappear in any manner, is not Biblically sound doctrine. Even when the word disappear is used in these verses, it is to be understood in the same way that one says: “Billy took off and disappeared into the forest.” No one would imagine that Billy vanished in a twinkling of an eye!! Neither should one interpret the Biblical accounts of Enoch or Philip to assume that they vanished in a twinkling of an eye!!
It would go well with those that teach such unsound doctrines be aware of 1 Timothy 6:3-4 which states: “If anyone teaches differently and does not agree to the sound precepts of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, and to the doctrine that is in keeping with godliness, he is swollen with conceit and understands nothing.”
Final Thought for 2025
• Prophecy continues to unfold as foretold by the Hebrew prophets.
• History is moving extremely quickly towards the prophesied one world government, the one world financial system, and the rise of both the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
• The escalation of wars and rumors of wars continues to unfold, both in the Middle East and around the globe.
• Time is incredibly short – The birth pangs are just over the horizon.
• The great day of Yahweh is getting really near, even at the door. It hastens forth and will not delay.
• Be sure you are believing The Truth, not The Lie, and maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.
• Be sure Yeshua is your Redeemer, King, and High Priest, and your sins are forgiven.
The Powerpoint Slides
Slides-Rapture People Disappear 2025
Rapture Parallels, Patterns, Pictures, and Types 