According to a prominent dictionary’s definition,
the transitive verb ‘scoop’ primarily means ‘to take up or out’,
and in the same dictionary, the word ‘rapture’ as a noun, in its third meaning, rare except in theological use, means ‘a carrying away in body or spirit’.
The use of ‘scoop’ in a sentence stated, "Quickly, the man scooped a handful of water from the river."
Thus one could correctly express that Elijah was scooped up into heaven in a chariot of fire:
2 Kings 2:9-11 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
The dictionary describes a ‘scoop’ also being a ladle. It can bail or pull out.
The dictionary says a ‘scoop’ can dig or excavate.
Maybe, like graves opening?
Ezek 37:13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
Maybe before one puts their own self in a quagmire (a difficult or precarious situation; a predicament) by mocking word usage and expression of others .... it would be a good idea to research! Whoever said a person didn’t study .... well, if the chide worked, why knock it?
This week I heard a ‘mid-Acts’ preacher bring up the fact that he had an ‘office’, but he avoided using the word ‘bishop’ (which I know he did use in the past). However, I couldn’t help but wonder if the recent conference affected his desire to do ‘a good work’ (as a ‘bishop’) so he could fit in with all the ‘brothers’ (as they were all introduced to the pulpit) and be accepted with his buddies, who CLAIM to be KJV while using the word ‘pastor’ of The Living Bible for their title.
Many statements that ‘mid-Acts-ers’ make are not scripturally accurate.
For example, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ say: Paul was the first member of the body of Christ .... because he said, ‘In me first’.
But the VERSE says nothing about the body of Christ or being the first member of any church:
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say: Saul could have/would have been the Anti-Christ .... and was probably just as bad as Anti-Christ.
But the VERSE makes no mention of any connection between Anti-Christ and Saul:
1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say: Timothy had faith in the message given to him by Paul .... but Lois and Eunice had faith in Israel’s program.
But the VERSE says the faith that Timothy’s mom and granny first had, was also in him:
2 Tim 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ act like Jesus shouldn’t stand up from His throne until He makes His enemies His footstool .... to be in accordance with ‘Israel’s prophecy program’ they have assigned .... even though Stephen looked up and saw Jesus standing when he was welcomed into His presence. Can the LORD not STAND when He wants to stand .... or does He have to STAY SEATED on His throne for 2,000 plus years, until He STANDS to pour out His wrath?
Acts 7:55-56 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Speaking of looking up .... when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, Jesus instructed the saints to look up to see Him coming in a cloud, bringing their redemption:
Luke 21:24-28 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Also speaking of looking up .... Paul showed believers looking up to heaven to see the coming of the Lord .... which, in Eph 4:30, he called "the day of redemption" .... and in Rom 8:23, he said we are "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body":
Phil 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Paul presented our looking up again at the appearing of the Son of Man in glory .... just as Jesus told His disciples:
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Peter also described looking for God’s day:
2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Jude wrote about looking for eternal life that Christ will bring:
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
My advice is to look it up to make sure you know what words you’re talking about and to prevent ‘mid-Acts-ers’ from wresting verses on you, and keep looking up to the Saviour in heaven Who will bring redemption!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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