Come Up Here

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: anabainw (anabaino)

PRONUNCIATION:  a-nah-BAIN-oh

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 305

MEANING: arise; ascend; to go up

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): meaning "to go up again by foot";

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  from two Greek words literally meaning "to go up again by foot"; used to describe how someone got unto a horse; also used to describe the act of rising for the judge in a courtroom;

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 84 (13 in Revelation)

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Revelation 11:12

"And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up (anabainw) here.'  Then they went up (anabainw) into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

In Revelation 11 we have the unveiling of the two witnesses.  While there has been some debate as to who these two witnesses were, my focus this morning is not on WHO they were, but on WHAT happened to them.  The partying and gift giving of "Dead Witnesses Day" will be suddenly and dramatically halted by a most shocking event. After the three and a half days during which their bodies lay in disgrace on a Jerusalem street, the breath of life from God (cf. Genesis 2:7) came into the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet. Needless to say, great fear fell upon those who were watching them. Panic will seize the unregenerate world as their hated and reviled tormentors suddenly spring to life. If this is viewed on television, it will be replayed repeatedly. They no doubt expected the two resurrected witnesses to resume their ministry of preaching and working miracles, but God had other plans. There came a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up (anabainw) here." This is likely the voice of the Lord, who summoned John to heaven in 4:1. Then the two preachers went up into heaven in the cloud, as their enemies watched them in awe. This two-man Rapture will no doubt also be replayed endlessly for the entire world to see. It is reminiscent of the ascension of Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) and the mysterious death and burial of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6).

Some may wonder why the two witnesses were not permitted to preach after their resurrection. But signs and wonders do not make the gospel believable, because "if [unbelievers] do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31). After hearing the teaching and observing the miraculous ministry of the Son of God, unbelievers rejected and killed Him.

Their ministry completed, the two ascended with the whole world watching up to God's glorious presence, where they no doubt heard Him say, "Well done, good and faithful slave[s] . . . enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). 

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

There is much debate over the timing of the rapture, which I will not get into today.  The one area that I do however feel is important is the aspect of the literal nature of the rapture.  I am one who firmly believes in a literal rapture.  These two witnesses described in the Book of Revelation actually are raptured up, which will be much the same way as we as believers will be raptured.  But remember, this event is reserved for believers only.  Have you trusted Christ as your personal Savior?  Do you know that you know that you are going to heaven?  If you are not 100% certain, you need to resolved that issue before it is too late. 

For those of you who have already trusted Christ, are you “waiting and watching” as we are told in his Word?  While we cannot and will not know that exact hour, the Scriptures do tell us we can know the season (Matthew 24:36-51).  May we be ready for His return. 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

I thank you Father that one day you will return for your bride and say to us “Come Up Here” and we will join for that great marriage feast of the Lamb.  I thank you Father that you have something much greater for me than what I face through and in this world.  In Jesus name, Amen.