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"IN THE BODY...OR OUT OF THE BODY" - 2Cor.12:3, 4
Paul spoke of a wonderful but hard to understand truth when he spoke of being IN THE BODY or OUT of it - 2Cor.12:3, 4. What we desire to do in this study is to discover just what it was he was speaking about and what it might involve. We are going to take a look at similar things that may not be exactly the same as that which Paul spoke about, but nonetheless have common elements that are related in one way or another.
Here we also get some precious glimpses and insights into mankind's other state of existence apart from his flesh body. James referred to this as "the spirit that dwelleth in us.." Jas.4:5. Daniel described this as "My spirit in the midst of my body." Dan.7:15. Job described it similarily as "the spirit within me." Jb.32:18. Jobs' conclusion was that this spirit within man came from God - Jb.26:4; Eccl.12:7. In Hebrews, we are told of "the spirits of just men made perfect." Heb.12:23.
2Ths.5:23 amongst numerous other scriptures, reveals this existing ethereal substance of mankind to be "spirit and soul." For much greater detail on other aspects of spirit and soul see our other studies entitled "The Undividable Division" and "The Spirit Within." This "spirit within" (Jb.32:18) is the real "man" or person apart from his mortal body of flesh. Paul used the terms the "inner man" (Eph.3:16), "the inward man" (Ro.7:2; 2Cor.4:16) and "the hidden man of the heart" (1Ptr.3:4) to describe this hidden ethereal spirit in man.
In negative terms, the "old man" (Eph.4:22; Col.3:9), the "man of sin", "the son of perdition" (2Ths.2:3) even "that body of sin" (Ro.6:6) speaks of the fallen, unregenerate indwelling antichrist nature of the human spirit. This spiritual body in man consists of a spiritual makeup other than that which makes up the holy Spirit of Christ. In true spiritual conversion through faith in Christ, the image of this "old man" (Ro.6:6) is what is changed from "glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2Cor.3:18) "that the body of sin might be destroyed." Ro.6:6.
What we are about to examine in this study, are several similar, yet distinct ways the scriptures show how that this "inner man" can be taken to higher places, not only in physical direction but in spiritual dimension; transported to places other than this earthy realm or plane in which his body dwells. What we are about to speak of, involves scriptures revealing either the inner spiritual makeup of mankind being apart from the body, or both body and spirit together as a whole departing from the earth.
It is scripturally evident that the inner man can somehow depart or leave the body and be taken up and/or carried from one place to another, or even one dimension to another. This can happen regardless if the body itself is dead or alive. Let's take a look different ways the Bible reveals that the foregoing things can take place.
Hopefully the following will help to bring the reality of such things to light and thus dispel some fears or often times ignorant controversies that often accompany such things. In the whole process, it should also become evident how that God Almighty is sovereign and has preeminence in all of which we speak.
This study will be broken down into six major categories in order to examine the similarities and differences in the following biblically recorded accounts of what could be classifed as supernatural or extaordinary human experience.
1. First we present scriptures depicting the all inclusive body, spirit-soul being taken up from earth to remain in the heavenlies.
2. We then are told of a future body, spirit-soul experience of being caught up from earth only to return again.
3. Next we take a look at a spiritual taking up only, out from a physical body, leaving the body behind in death.
4. Then we find evidence where the spirit or soul of man returns back to the physical body giving life to the dead.
5. We find further scriptures relating to a temporary spiritual taking up out of the body with the body left behind still alive.
6. Finally we examine the likelihood of the taking up of the whole body to be transported from one place on earth to another.
THE ALL INCLUSIVE BODY, SPIRIT SOUL TAKING UP FROM THE EARTH TO REMAIN IN THE HEAVENLIES
To begin with, there are several scriptures that reveal a WHOLE BODY being taken up. The Lord Jesus was one who was said to be "TAKEN UP" (Ac.1:9-11, 22) speaking of His bodily ascension witnessed by the people. It is also written, "He was PARTED from them and CARRIED UP into heaven." Lk.24:51. Luke records this literal incident in writing, "Jesus was RECEIVED UP into heaven." Mrk.16:19.
In a similar manner it is written about Elijah..."there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and PARTED them both asunder; and Elijah WENT UP by a whirlwind into heaven...and he SAW HIM NO MORE..." 2Kgs.2:11, 12. It was foretold that "the Lord would TAKE UP Elijah into heaven" ( 2Kgs.2:1) and other prophets had said to Elisha, "knowest thou that the Lord will TAKE AWAY thy master from thy head today." 2King.2:3. So in like manner as Jesus was TAKEN UP, the Lord proceeded to TAKE UP Elijah. These both are basically an example of a bodily ascension out of the visible earth realm into a higher heavenly realm.
When Elijah went up Elisha "SAW HIM NO MORE." Another way that harmonizes with the phrase "saw him no more" is in the case of Enoch. "And Enoch walked with God: and HE WAS NOT; for God TOOK HIM." Gen.5:24. Enoch, like Elijah and Jesus was taken up BODILY into heaven. Like Elijah, because God TOOK him, "HE WAS NOT" any longer to be found or seen anymore--because God took him from the earth to be with Him. Another way this bodily departure is described (which of necessity includes man's soul-spirit being), is in the use of the word "TRANSLATED." Being translated is not to be confused with being "transfigured" (Matt.17:2) which involved "a vision." Matt.17:9.
Only two unrelated scripture passages use either the English words "translation" or translated" and The biblical word "TRANSLATED" is rendered twice. Yet, it is notable that only in one place it depicts the same literal sense of the foregoing type of bodily departure. It is written, "By faith Enoch was TRANSLATED that he should NOT SEE DEATH; and WAS NOT FOUND because God had TRANSLATED him: for before his TRANSLATION he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb.11:5. Yet, all those saints from Heb.11:7-13 literally died in faith. Perhaps in a sense different than in normal death, it could also be said Enoch had died as he no longer was found in a body on the earth because "GOD TOOK HIM."
The other scripture using the word English word "translated" is Co.1:13 which indicates our deliverance from the power of darkness "hath TRANSLATED US into the kingdom of His dear Son." Col.1:13. Unlike where Enoch was translated bodily that he should bypass death, this dirivative of the same Greek word as used in Heb.11:5, speaks of a spiritual change or transformation only. The original Greek denotes a transfer or removal from one place to another. The only other places this same Greek word or its dirivative is found, is translated as "remove" in 1Cor.13:2, "carried over" in Ac.7:18 and "changed" in Heb.7:12.
A FUTURE BODY, SPIRIT-SOUL EXPERIENCE OF BEING CAUGHT UP FROM EARTH ONLY TO RETURN AGAIN.
The other places in the Bible where it speaks of A LITERAL BODY type of TRANSLATION is in 1Ths.4:17. There is a difference in this operation however. This speaks of a bodily change or transformation in ascension where it is written, "we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds.." So, to be CAUGHT UP here is similar to being "TAKEN UP", "CARRIED UP", "RECEIVED UP", "PARTED", "TRANSLATED" etc. Unlike Enoch who was not found on earth any more, but like Jesus the true pattern Son, it appears in ascension that the firstfruit saints also shall be found back on earth the "same day" (Jn.20:17-19; Lk.24:13), albeit in a different bodily form. There is one other significant passage that speaks of being "CAUGHT UP unto God." Rev.12:5. Whether one applies this to Jesus the Head or to His end-time body, it also denotes a catching up which includes a literal body.
A SPIRITUAL TAKING UP ONLY, OUT FROM A PHYSICAL BODY, LEAVING THE BODY BEHIND IN DEATH.
This brings us to the second scriptural way that man can enter the heavenlies. The first way included the spirit-soul and body together. The next way we will look at involves PHYSICAL DEATH when the spirit of man departs from his body. There is really not all that much revealed in the Bible about this form of translation. What lies beyond or behind the decease of the physical body remains somewhat of a mystery. However, the expression of it in biblical form reveals it as another form of translation which also involves transportation. Death in one of its several different allocations, is a carrier appointed by the Most High God by which the spirit of man is transported and delivered to designated destinations - Rev.20:13. Surely the veil of the temple of man's body is rent in twain as the spirit passes through it. - Matt.27:50, 51.
Though the following has its place as a parable, it is not without literal truth also. "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was PARTED FROM them, and CARRIED UP into heaven." Lk. 24:51. How did he depart? How was he carried? He departed in death as "it came to pass, that the beggar DIED, and was CARRIED BY THE ANGELS into Abraham's bosom.." Lk.16:22.
In speaking of the literal process of bodily death, it is evident, that Jesus body DIED and GAVE UP His indwelling spirit. In Lk.23:46 He cried, "Father, into thy hands I commend MY SPIRIT (Grk. pneuma; by analogy or figuratively a spirit that is human; the rational soul): and having said thus, HE GAVE UP THE GHOST" (Grk. ekpneo) in expiration, even that point from which the breath of life originates--commending it back into the welcoming hands of His Father. In Jn.19:30 "GHOST" is rendered from "pneuma" the same Greek word from which is translated the word "spirit" in Lk.23:46.
Was it not already written that if "the silver cord of life is snapped apart, or the golden bowel is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern [and the whole circulatory system of the blood ceases to function], then shall the dust [of which God made man's body] return to the earth as it was, and THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN TO GOD who gave it?" Eccl.12:6, 7 Amp. In a similar manner to Jesus, just before Stephen died from stoning, he cried, "Lord Jesus, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT." Ac.7:59.
Even in the Old Testament when one died, it was said that they "GAVE UP THE GHOST." "Abraham GAVE UP THE GHOST and DIED, and was GATHERED UNTO his people." Gen.25:8. "Ishmael...GAVE UP THE GHOST and DIED. and was GATHERED UNTO his people." Gen.25:17. "Isaac GAVE UP THE GHOST, and died, and was gathered unto his people." Gen. 35:29. To be consistent, what "gave up the ghost" basically means is...their spiritual bodies were released from their earthly bodies in preparation to return to God who gave it.
Bible commentaries differ as to their understanding of what "gathered unto his people" actually means. Some try to make it out as an earthly gathering, whilst others see it as a gathering unto the unseen heavenly realm into the presence of formerly deceased people. "As touching the dead" (Mrk.12:26), even Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--as proof they shall arise in resurrection, it is written, God "is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living." Mrk.12:27.
Since the Creator is not the God of dead persons, "man in heaven" (Rev.5:3) must still be alive in their spirits - 1Ptr.3:18,19; 4:16; Ro.8:19; Eph.4:18; Jer.31:25. All men everywhere, either alive or in afterlife, are depicted as having consciousness - Rev.5:3, 8-10, 13; 6:9-11; 12:12; 15:2-4 etc. He wouldn't be their God if they had no existence or awareness "for all live unto Him." Lk.20:38.
Speaking of the haughty and abominable Sodomites, it was said, "THE LORD TOOK THEM AWAY as I saw good." Ezk.16:50. This was referring to a TAKEN AWAY in death. This means just what Peter wrote--about wicked men made "TO BE TAKEN and DESTROYED." 2Ptr.2:12. We are told that in Noah's day, "the flood came and TOOK THEM all AWAY." Matt.24:39. That this speaks of being taken in death, rather than being an example of the so called "rapture", is found in the parallel passage in Luke which clearly says "the flood came and DESTROYED them all." Lk.17:27.
So people are said to be TAKEN AWAY IN DEATH as well as by other methods of taking that we are exploring. Speaking of Jezabel's children, the Lord said...I WILL KILL her children WITH DEATH." Rev.2:23. Yes, in the sense that He allows natural death under the umbrella of His absolute sovereignty, He also must take the ultimate responsibility for it no matter what created agency is allowed to carry it out. All are His servants - Psa.119:91; Prv.16:4. Only our God Almighty is able to truly bring "life from the dead" (Ro.11:15) and "send forth judgment unto victory." Matt.12:20.
Yea, "The LORD KILLETH and He maketh alive."1Sam.3:6. Thus, He brings forth in due time, not only newly created life. but in just and righteous judgment, He brings forth a return and renewal of life as well - Psa.90:3; 76:10; 2 Sam.14:14. Jesus alone has "the keys of hell and death" (Rev.1:8) to lock and unlock both the gates. "He that is our God, is the God of salvation and unto God the Lord, belong THE ISSUES FROM DEATH." Psa.68:20. He is truly, "the God of THE SPIRITS of all flesh" (Nu.16:22) "whose SPIRIT came from thee." Jb.26:4; Eccl.12:7. In His "hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Jb.11:10.
There is no power but that it all has its original source from God. "There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Ro.13:1. All power is subordinate to His power and authority - Eph.1:20-23; Col.1:16-18. That of necessity includes the power of Satan and the power of human will. One great subordinate is found in "him that HAD the power of death, that is the devil." Heb.2:14. In spiritual reality, he is but a tool in God's hands, used to serve necessary temporal purposes in the Lord's fulfilling of his ultimate plans and purposes for His creation - Isa.54:16. "The deceived and the deceiver are His" (Jb.12:16) and surely He does what He wills with His own - Eph.1:11; Jb.23:13; Dan.4:35 etc.
Death, in any of its allotted forms, either physical or spiritual, shall continue to exist forever. The end of all forms of death shall come "when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1Cor.24-26. Death is not an enemy to God, rather it is as an enemy to man but through the victory of the cross all "death is swallowed up in victory." 1Cor.15:54. There shall be "no more death" in any of its previous forms, for "He maketh ALL THINGS new." Rev.21:4, 5; 1Cor.15:28; Eph.1:10. Death in the beginning separated man from God (1Cor.15:21, 22) but through the death of His only begotten Son, we have God's awesome promise that "He will swallow up death in victory." Isa.25:7, 8.
THE SPIRIT OR SOUL OF MAN RETURNS BACK TO THE PHYSICAL BODY GIVING LIFE TO THE DEAD.
There are a couple of other closely related things involving death that are part of the human experience. In the New Testament examples , nothing is written about being taken away, carried away, taken up, caught up, translated to anywhere, either on heaven or earth where it involves the death of the body with a subsequent miraculous return back to life. In a couple of these examples, there is something that is said to return, rather than something that was taken. Examples of this kind of phenomenon is recorded in several scripture passages.
The case of Lazarus dying and being brought back to life is a good example of this kind of thing. Jesus confirmed Lazarus was truly dead - Jn.11:11-14. Yet, after four days of his body being dead, upon Jesus loud command, "he that was dead came forth" (Jn.11; 43, 44) from his tomb. In the case of Tabitha also called Dorcus, she "was sick, and DIED." Ac.9:37. After the apostle Peter prayed for her, "he presented her alive." Ac.9:41. When the son of a widow died, Jesus said, "I say unto thee, arise. And HE THAT WAS DEAD sat up, and began to speak." Lk.7:14,15. In another incident, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even NOW DEAD: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." Matt.9:18. "He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose." Matt.9:24.25.
Then there was Eutychus who fell from a loft "and WAS TAKEN UP DEAD." Paul fell on him and ministered to him, and the results were such that he proclaimed, "HIS LIFE IS IN HIM." Ac.20:10. Here we can only surmise that whatever gave him life had gone or been taken but subsequently returned. Or can we? In another New Testament case common to this type of being brought back from the dead, we are there told what it was that returned.
There was the ruler of a synagogue who's daughter was dead - Lk. 8:49. Jesus came to his house and said, "She is not dead, but sleepeth. And the father and mother and three disciples laughed him to scorn, "knowing that SHE WAS DEAD." Lk.8:52,53. Jesus took her by the hand and called, saying, "maid, arise. And HER SPIRIT CAME AGAIN, and she arose straightway." Lk.8:55; Matt.9:24,25. Since we find in Lk.16:22 that at least one way by which one may be carried away in death is "by the angels", it may not be wrong to speculate that angels may also play a part in any who's spirit comes back again into the body. There was an angel still present at the tomb where Jesus' no longer laid.
The Old Testament gives us a similar example of bodily death and a return of something bringing natural earthly life back into it. We are told of Elijah who visited a widow in Zarepheth whose son's "sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him." He literally had died. Elijah in his prayer for the son cried unto the Lord, "O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's SOUL COME INTO HIM AGAIN. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and THE SOUL OF THE CHILD CAME INTO HIM AGAIN, and he revived....and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth." 1Kgs.17:21-23. Obviously in the foregoing cases where we are told in the New Testament that the "SPIRIT CAME AGAIN", it is also part of the 'SOUL" that came again back into the body in this Old Testament account. The spirit plainly had only temporarily departed in order for it to be able to come again into the body.
There are numerous documented cases of a similar manner whereby people die and shortly thereafter, miraculously return back to life. Many report they believe they had left their bodies and were taken to the heavenlies or otherwise, before being returned back to their bodies. This is commonly referred to as NDE or near death experience. Some have testified they could see their physical bodies lying lifeless apart from their vantage point, yet they were fully aware of their surroundings. Some report being taken long distances while others report they stayed relatively close to their bodies until they returned.
Though mankind in general is hard pressed to explain this type of thing, the Bible does lend credence to the realities of such things. It presents a plausible explanation, that though shrouded in mystery, is not without merit. Let's look further at what the word of God has to say.
The following category is similar where the spirit is said to leave the body, only in these cases, death is not involved. Though we are told by James that "the body without the spirit is dead" (Jas.2:26), that obviously refers to bodies that have truly died and the spirit of man has permanently crossed over to remain in a higher dimension. We will now look at another aspect of the body wherein it is said to leave the body, yet clearly the body is not dead.
A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL TAKING UP OUT OF THE BODY WITH THE BODY LEFT BEHIND STILL ALIVE.
"There is A SPIRIT IN MAN: and the inspiration of the Almighty, giveth them understanding." Jb.32:8,18; Isa.26:9. This "SPIRIT OF MAN which is IN him" is differentiated from "the SPIRIT OF GOD", for it is written, "what man knoweth the things of a man, save THE SPIRIT OF MAN which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but THE SPIRIT OF GOD." 1Cor. 2:11; Ro.8:16. The spirit of man and the Spirit of God are said to have marked differences here. It is erroneous to say that man's unrighteous fallen spirit is God's Spirit. It clearly is not. It is no more God's Spirit than any other type of unrighteous "unclean spirits" (Rev.16:13). The Bible does speak of foreign individual unclean spiritual entities that indwell man and are subject to "come out." Lk.4:36. See also Matt.10:1; Mrk.1:27; 3:11; 5:13; 6:7; Lk.6:18; Ac.5:16; 8:7 etc. However, here we want to focus on man's own personal spirit-soul that can also leave his body. In this light we should be able to better understand the following verses.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote of his spirit being LIFTED UP and away from his body by/in the Spirit of the Lord. "THE SPIRIT TOOK ME UP." Ezk.3:12. Again, "THE SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP and BROUGHT ME unto the east gate..." Ezk.11:1. With the same understanding he wrote, "THE SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP and TOOK ME AWAY.." Ezk.3:14. This is comparable to the apostle John's phrase where he wrote, "He CARRIED me AWAY IN THE SPIRIT." Rev.21:10. Ezekiel also said he was CARRIED IN THE SPIRIT. "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and CARRIED ME OUT IN THE SPIRIT of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones..." Eze 37:1. The SPIRIT OF GOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD at times "came upon" (Nu.24:2; Judg.3:10; 6:34 etc.) and entered into chosen men of God in the days before Christ's resurrection - Ezk.2:2; Isa.63:11 and many more.
Was any of this a literal lifting up and carrying away of his natural body? Not at all. The "me" that was lifted up and carried away was what Ezekiel referred to as 'MY SPIRIT." Ezk.3:14; Dan.7:15. The scriptures make it clear that these were VISIONERY experiences "IN THE SPIRIT" and like unto death in part, involved only a spiritual lifting up. "THE SPIRIT TOOK ME UP, and brought me IN A VISION BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So THE VISION THAT I HAD SEEN went up from me." Ezk.11:24, 25.
Again it is written, "It was according to the appearance of THE VISION WHICH I SAW, even according to THE VISION that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and THE VISIONS were like THE VISION that I saw by the river Chebar....THE SPIRIT TOOK ME UP and BROUGHT ME BY THE SPIRIT..." Ezk.43:3-5. "He put forth the form of an hand, and TOOK ME BY A LOCK OF MY HEAD; and THE SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP between the earth and the heaven, and BROUGHT ME IN THE VISIONS OF GOD to Jerusalem.." Ezk.8:3.
So we see it is the "Spirit of the Lord" that can TAKE and CARRY "the spirit of man" (Prv.20:27; Eccl.3:21; Zec.12:1; 1Cor.2:11) out of His body. At least a conscious portion of "the inner man" leaves the body IN/BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD, TAKING him and temporarily LIFTING man's spirit AWAY from his body and BRINGING him to see things "IN THE VISIONS OF GOD."
It would be remiss not to mention that there are also counterfeit spiritual experiences for this type of things found in Spiritualism, Spiritism, astral travel, Eckankar and other New Age tainted types of experiences. Temporary out of the body experiences are not unique to believers in Christ, or to any particular religious belief at all. Professing Christian's who have such experiences, should be very cautious and diligent in discerning this type of phenonomen, knowing full well how that the spirit and "prince of the power of the air" (Eph.2:2) can be very deceptive in counterfeiting as an "angel of light." 2Cor.11:14.
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1Jn.4:1-3. There is "another spirit", "another Jesus" and "another gospel" (2Cor.11:4) being preached, even by well meaning sons of God. There are many deceiving (Lk.21:8), lying spirits (1Kgs.22:22, 23; 2 Chr.18:21, 22) in the land especially today, whose job is to try to take away all praise and power and glory from the spirit of the Lord and subtly put it on man himself - Gal.1:6-8.
That other spirit, even another Jesus, can and does slyly masquerade as "the Spirit of the Lord." That "unclean spirit" (Zec.13:2) manifests itself in prophecies, false doctrine, dreams, visions, healings and even out of the body experiences. "For if he that cometh (as man, or spirit guide, messenger or angel) preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." 2Cor.11:4. This spirit too, in whatever form it comes, whether physical or spiritual, is nothing more than "a deceiver and an antichrist." 2Jn.1:7. Lest Satan should take sutbtil (Gen.3:1) advantage of us, we would do well to be learn and be aware of his devices - 2Cor.2:11.
This aspect is an important part of the focus whether we relate it to being in the body or out of the body. It applies to those who are a part of the spiritual body of Christ "if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in" them (Ro.8:9), as well as to those who are outside it having "not the Spirit of Christ." Ro.8:9.
In the New Testament, Paul speaks of a similar experience to Ezekiel's when he proclaimed, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether IN THE BODY body, I cannot tell; or whether OUT OF THE BODY, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one CAUGHT UP TO the third HEAVEN. And I knew such a man, WHETHER IN THE BODY, OR OUT OF THE BODY, I cannot tell: God knoweth How that he was CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." 2Cor.12:3,4. It is evident from comparing the scriptures, that Paul's experience was "OUT OF THE BODY" and a VISION (2Cor.12:1), not unlike Ezekiel's VISIONS (Ezk.11:24) wherein he had also proclaimed of a truth that "the Lord was UPON ME, and CARRIED ME OUT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD." Ezk.37:1.
The Lord often spoke to Paul "BY A VISION." Ac.9:3-7; 18:19; 26:19; 16:9,10. The Spirit of God took Paul's own spirit OUTand BROUGHT him into a vision of the heavens whereby he received a great abundance of revelation entirely by the Spirit of God - 1Cor.12:7. His body was obviously still alive on the earth, but his own spirit, the "spirit of man" (Zec.12:1), which like the prophet Daniel said, "was in the midst of his body" (Dan.7:15), was "CAUGHT UP" and like unto Ezekiel's experiences, was "CARRIED..OUT" (of Paul's body), BEING "TOOK..UP" "IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD."
The spiritual experiences of John the revelator parallels this. The apostle John also received a great abundance of revelation from what he termed "BEING IN THE SPIRIT on the Lord's day." Rev.1:10. While bodily residing in prison on the island of Patmos (Rev.1:9), John heard a voice which said, "COME UP hither. and I will shew thee things must be hereafter." Rev.4:1. Then John proclaimed, "Immediately I WAS IN THE SPIRIT." Rev.4:2.
Similar to Ezekiel being CARRIED OUT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD (Ezk.37:1) and TAKEN AWAY (Ezk.3:14), John says, "He CARRIED ME AWAY IN THE SPIRIT to a great and high mountain, and shewed me.." Rev.21:10. "BEING IN THE SPIRIT" is also synonomous with seeing things in a "VISION." Rev.9:17.
Like Ezekiel and Paul, John too was "CAUGHT UP" and had "OUT OF THE BODY" experiences receiving abundant revelation in VISIONS WHICH HE SAW. All three saints obviously received an abundance of revelation--but not from man. Rather they received it and taught it by no other way "but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal.1:12. Paul didn't receive these things by conferring "with flesh and blood" (Gal.1:16) and John of course, wrote of his own higher spiritual experiences and revelation of Christ which we now call the book of The Revelation. It was a spiritual revelation of Jesus Christ both seen and heard "IN THE SPIRIT" that was recorded by John. I dare say they all were caught up to all three realms of heaven wherein the three courts of the tabernacle of Moses and all things therein represented an earthly "pattern" of these heavens - Heb.9:5, 23.
A TAKING UP OF THE WHOLE BODY TO BE TRANSPORTED FROM ONE PLACE ON EARTH TO ANOTHER.
This final category consists of one unique kind of catching up or catching away...or so it seems on the surface. The only place in the Bible where there is a possibility of a forceful, miraculous type transportation from one point on earth to another is found in the passage concerning Philip and the eunuch. Here we are told that "when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord CAUGHT AWAY (Grk. to seize, bear away anything violently without consent of the owner) Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." Ac.8:39.
Other than reading a miracle into this, one could just as easily interpret the forcible taking away of Philip to simply be an urgent directing in strong forcible conviction of the Holy Spirit or an angel...seizing and urging his attention to immediately hasten to another place, as his work with the eunuch was ended. So in this sense, he was abruptly called and caught away from what he had just accomplished. Philip removed himself and hastened quickly away in a similar manner to the way he was called (Ac.8:26,29) and then "ran" (vs.30).
That this is the meaning is entirely plausable and easily accountable for what actually took place here. To suppose or imagine a miracle here, especially one of a nature where no other like it has been witnessed or established, is at best unwise. In further support of the more plausible interpretation, the same Greek word for "CAUGHT AWAY" is not at all used in the sense of any miracle in other scriptures such as Ac.23:10; Matt.13:19; Jn10:28 etc. Many Bible Commentaries also seem accept a natural explanation as the most plausible interpretation. But then again we are told, with God "all things are possible." Mrk.14:36. Such is "the way of the spirit" (Eccl.11:5), whether it be God's Spirit or man's.
K. Ross McKay