Crying wolf for the search and seizure of the rapture

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KJV: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Greek: προσεχετε δε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες

Latin: adtendite a falsis prophetis qui veniunt ad vos in vestimentis ovium intrinsecus autem sunt lupi rapaces

Wessex: Attendite á falsis prophetis. R. Warnieð eow wið leasan witegen þe cumeð to eow on sceapene kertlen. ac hyo beoð innenan reafiende wulfas.

Wycliffe: Be ye war of fals prophetis, that comen to you in clothingis of scheep, but withynneforth thei ben as wolues of raueyn;

Tyndale: Beware of false Prophetes which come to you in shepes clothinge but inwardly they are ravenynge wolves.

Gothic: atsaihvith swethauh faura liugnapraufetum thaim izei qimand at izwis in wastjom lambe, ith innathro sind wulfos wilwandans.

Luther: Sehet euch vor vor den falschen Propheten, die in Schafskleidern zu euch kommen! Inwendig aber sind sie reißende Wölfe.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]

προσεχετε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες [gnt]

… falsis prophetis … vestimentis ovium … lupi rapaces [v]

The phrase "to cry wolf" is used to indicate the proclamation of a "false alarm".

The rapture is the "snatching up" of believers (rapiemur in Latin). The word is not in the Bible because the word "rapture" is from the Latin and not the English or Greek.

The ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω" ≈ "snatch away, carry off" and is found in various places in the Bible but translated using many different words.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]

… falsis prophetis … vestimentis ovium … lupi rapaces [v]

The "rapture" is a word that is not often heard in churches today (modern definition of joy or bliss). It is a word you will not find in most English Bibles today. That is because the English word "rapture" is, through French, from the Latin word "rapio" ≈ "snatch, carry off, rape" which is the source of English words such as "rapid" and "rape".

The phrase "to cry wolf" is used to indicate the proclamation of a "false alarm".
This phrase has origins in the Aesop Fable of "the boy who cried wolf" (not translated from Greek until the 15th century) where a shepherd boy keeps crying wolf to get help from the villagers who eventually ignore him - when there is a real wolf.

Churches today may be led by a sheep dog or a wolf dog.

More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs

More: Mythical stories about history

The "Left behind" series of books (1955-2007) by Tim LaHay (1926-2016) and Jerry B. Jenkins deals with the tribulation period in the Bible in general and the rapture in particular.
Much of the stories are based on the Bible but make certain assumptions that may or may not be true.

In particular, the idea that bodies will just disappear is assumed. It may happen that just the soul disappears and those that are left, after some major global catastrophe, do not realize that the rapture has happened.

Here we look at certain parts of the "rapture" and related ideas but otherwise ignore what is in the book series.

One idea many people have about the rapture, much of it from the Left Behind series of books, is that all believers will disappear.

This is similar to the shelves of toilet paper disappearing as a result of panic buying. This leads to the phrase, "When the roll is called up yonder" from the hymn of the same name.

More: Song: When the roll is called up yonder

The hymn "When the roll is called up yonder" was written by James M. Black (1856-1938) in 1893.

He wrote almost 1500 songs. The song is based on the idea of the rapture when Jesus will return to claim those, both the quick and the dead, to meet him in the air. He was a lifelong resident of Williamsport, PA and was a choir leader, Sunday school teacher, composer and an active member of the Pine Tree Methodist Episcopal Church.

More: Song: When the roll is called up yonder

Black was inspired by the "rapture" and the "book of life". After a child was not in Sunday school, Black thought about someone missing attendance in heaven. He visited the child and called a doctor to treat the pneumonia. At home, he wrote "When the roll is called up yonder" when he could not find a suitable hymn.
The song has been recorded by Johnny Cash, Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle) and Willie Nelson. The lyrics were in the 1941 movie Sergeant York. Music: When the roll is called up yonder

More: Song: When the roll is called up yonder

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of his resurrection share;
When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. [kjv]

η πως δυναται τις εισελθειν εις την οικιαν του ισχυρου και τα σκευη αυτου σαι αρπασαι εαν μη πρωτον δηση τον ισχυρον και τοτε την οικιαν αυτου διαρπασει [gnt]

The GNT (Greek New Testament) word for "spoil" is the ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω" ≈ "snatch away, carry off" and may be related to the ancient Greek word "ἅρπη" ≈ "bird of prey" as a hawk or falcon and which may be related to the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root for "reap", "harvest", "sickle". This word for "snatch" is sometimes translated "rapture" or "ravenous" as in "wolves".
The ancient Greek word "σκευή" ≈ "vessel" as something that is made but can refer to "people" as in a "chosen vessel".

[Last Supper, 1 & 2 Thessalonians]

More: Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [kjv]

ο φαρισαιος σταθεις ταυτα προς εαυτον προσηυχετο ο θεος ευχαριστω σοι οτι ουκ ειμι ωσπερ οι λοιποι των ανθρωπων αρπαγες αδικοι μοιχοι η και ως ουτος ο τελωνης [gnt]

… raptores … [v]

The dinosaur named "velociraptor", made famous by the movie Jurassic Park, comes from the Latin word "velox" ≈ "swift" and the Latin word "raptor" ≈ "thief" which is related to the English word "rapture".
The word used as "extortioner" is the ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω" ≈ "snatch away, carry off". A better word might be "racketeering" where the organization itself manipulates the rules against others and uses force only when needed.

More: Tartarus and the bottomless pit

One etymology of the English word "raven" is that it comes, through French, from the Latin word "rapina" ≈ "plundering, loot" which comes from the Latin word "rapere" ≈ "seize, plunder, abduct".
The famous poem "The Raven" is by American writer and poet Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1949). In the poem, the raven says one thing, "nevermore".

Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

Poe failed as a cadet at West Point and turned his attention to literary endeavors.

Luke 18:11

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KJV: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Greek: ο φαρισαιος σταθεις ταυτα προς εαυτον ταυτα προσηυχετο ο θεος ευχαριστω σοι οτι ουκ ειμι ωσπερ οι λοιποι των ανθρωπων αρπαγες αδικοι μοιχοι η και ως ουτος ο τελωνης

Latin: Pharisaeus stans haec apud se orabat Deus gratias ago tibi quia non sum sicut ceteri hominum raptores iniusti adulteri vel ut etiam hic publicanus

The English word "harpoon" comes, through Latin and influenced from Dutch, from the ancient Greek word "ἁρπάζω" ≈ "snatch away, carry off". A "harpoon" is used to "hook" or "snatch" something.
However, the English word "harp", as a musical instrument, has Germanic roots and does not come from the Greek word for "snatch up".

Truthfully, I do not want to "harp" on this and "string you along" because I do not want to "play the lyre"!

The ancient Greek word "κιθαρα" ≈ "stringed instrument" is the source of the English word "guitar" through Spanish through Arabic through Latin through Greek. In the Bible, the word means a string instrument, which can be a harp, lyre or other instrument.

The ancient Greek word "λύρα" ≈ "lyre" and is the source of the English word "lyre". The word "harp" is of Germanic origin. The German word "Harfe" ≈ "harp". The English word "chord" is related to the "cords" as strings on the instrument.

The ancient Greek word appears to be related to the Proto-Hurro-Uratian word "*kinnar" for "lyre" or "harp".

More: Music

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [kjv]

οτι αυτος ο κυριος εν κελευσματι εν φωνη αρχαγγελου και εν σαλπιγγι θεου καταβησεται απ ουρανου και οι νεκροι εν χριστω αναστησονται πρωτον [gnt]

… tuba … [v]

Paul talks of the rapture in his first letter to the Thessalonians. The Latin word "tuba" ≈ "tube, trumpet" and is the source of the English word "tube" and "tuba" as in a very big trumpet which comes from the shortened German word "BaßTuba" ≈ "bass tuba" (18th century).
There are jokes that the "dead in Christ" are those in the "denominational churches" as in the "frozen chosen". That is, "many are cold", a "few are frozen".

More: Horns and trumpets and tubas

1 Thessalonians 4:16

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KJV: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Greek: οτι αυτος ο κυριος εν κελευσματι εν φωνη αρχαγγελου και εν σαλπιγγι θεου καταβησεται απ ουρανου και οι νεκροι εν χριστω αναστησονται πρωτον

Latin: quoniam ipse Dominus in iussu et in voce archangeli et in tuba Dei descendet de caelo et mortui qui in Christo sunt resurgent primi

Geneva: For the Lord himselfe shall descende from heauen with a shoute, and with the voyce of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Gothic: unte silba frauja in haitjai, in stibnai arkaggilaus jah in thuthaurna gudis dalath atsteigith af himina jah dauthans thai in xristau usstandand faurthis.

Luther: Denn er selbst, der Herr, wird mit einem Feldgeschrei und Stimme des Erzengels und mit der Posaune Gottes herniederkommen vom Himmel, und die Toten in Christo werden auferstehen zuerst.

Spanish: Porque el Señor mismo con aclamación, con voz de arcángel, y con trompeta de Dios, descenderá del cielo; y los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [kjv]

… tuba … [v]

… thuthaurna … [got]

To "toot" a horn is to blow the horn to make a sound. The word appears to be onomatopoetic in that it sounds like the meaning it represents.

The German word "tuten" ≈ "blow a horn".
The Gothic word "þuthaurna" ≈ "trumpet" or "thuthaurna" (as in the above verse).

Note: The older German sound of "th" went to "t" as in German "thal" to the German word "Tal" ≈ "valley". Thus, "Neanderthal" is the older name for the "Neander's Valley". Joachim Neander wrote the hymn "Praise to the Lord".

More: Song: Praise to the Lord

We will otherwise ignore the tenuous connections in the above verse between the English word "trump" and the former President "Trump" since the original GNT word does not have any of those connections.
The ancient Greek word "σάλπιγξ" ≈ "war trumpet" and appears to be pre-Greek in origin.

In a similar manner, tenuous connections were made using verses in Revelation to the "Trump Pence" ticket and the judgment "trumpets".

More: Horns and trumpets and tubas

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [kjv]

επειτα ημεις οι ζωντες οι περιλειπομενοι αμα συν αυτοις αρπαγησομεθα εν νεφελαις εις απαντησιν του κυριου εις αερα και ουτως παντοτε συν κυριω εσομεθα [gnt]

… rapiemur … [v]

The words of interest here are "caught up" as in "rapture". The "caught up" appears to be related to Acts 1:11.

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. [kjv]

Part of this is related to the interesting phrase "thy kingdom come" in the Lord's Prayer.

Details are left as a future topic.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

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KJV: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Greek: επειτα ημεις οι ζωντες οι περιλειπομενοι αμα συν αυτοις αρπαγησομεθα εν νεφελαις εις απαντησιν του κυριου εις αερα και ουτως παντοτε συν κυριω εσομεθα

Latin: deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus

Luther: Danach wir, die wir leben und überbleiben, werden zugleich mit denselbigen hingerückt werden in den Wolken dem Herrn entgegen in der Luft; und werden also bei dem Herrn sein allezeit.

Spanish: Luego nosotros los que vivimos, los que hayamos quedado, juntamente con ellos seremos arrebatados en las nubes para recibir al Señor en el aire, y así estaremos siempre con el Señor.

Acts 1:11

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KJV: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Greek: οι και ειπον ειπαν ανδρες γαλιλαιοι τι εστηκατε εμβλεποντες βλεποντες εις τον ουρανον ουτος ο ιησους ο αναληφθεις αναλημφθεις αφ υμων εις τον ουρανον ουτως ελευσεται ον τροπον εθεασασθε αυτον πορευομενον εις τον ουρανον

An mathematical (or structures) operation is commutative if the order of evaluation does not matter.

Commutative:

2+3 = 3+2 so addition is commutative.
2*3 = 3*2 so multiplication is commutative.

Not commutative:

2-3 != 3-2 so subtraction is not commutative.
2/3 != 3/2 so division is not commutative.

Note: The HOV (High Occupancy Lane) is not commutative (it is usually one way) but it can be used to commute.

And there appears to be a connection or association of Jesus of comforter with the rapture from John 16:7.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [kjv]

αλλ εγω την αληθειαν λεγω υμιν συμφερει υμιν ινα εγω απελθω εαν γαρ μη απελθω ο παρακλητος ου μη ελθη προς υμας εαν δε πορευθω πεμψω αυτον προς υμας [gnt]

That is, if Jesus needs to leave for the comforter to come, and that condition is commutative, then Jesus cannot come back until the comforter leaves. If the comforter cannot be taken away, then the resolution of that paradox is that those with the comforter must also be taken away before Jesus comes back.

John 16:7

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KJV: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Greek: αλλ εγω την αληθειαν λεγω υμιν συμφερει υμιν ινα εγω απελθω εαν γαρ μη απελθω ο παρακλητος ουκ ελευσεται ου μη ελθη προς υμας εαν δε πορευθω πεμψω αυτον προς υμας

Latin: sed ego veritatem dico vobis expedit vobis ut ego vadam si enim non abiero paracletus non veniet ad vos si autem abiero mittam eum ad vos

Wessex: ac ic segge sodfaestnysse. Eow fremed þaet ic fare. Gyf ic ne fare ne kymð se frofriende to eow. Witoðlice gyf ic fare. ich hine sende to eow.

Wycliffe: But Y seie to you treuthe, it spedith to you, that Y go; for if Y go not forth, the coumfortour schal not come to you; but if Y go forth, Y schal sende hym to you.

Gothic: akei ik sunja izwis qitha: batizo ist izwis ei ik galeithau; unte jabai ik ni galeitha, parakletus ni qimith at izwis; aththan jabai gagga, sandja ina du izwis.

Luther: Aber ich sage euch die Wahrheit: Es ist euch gut, daß ich hingehe. Denn so ich nicht hingehe, so kommt der Tröster nicht zu euch; so ich aber gehe, will ich ihn zu euch senden.

Spanish: Mas yo os digo la verdad: Os es necesario que yo me vaya; porque si no me fuera, el Consolador no vendría a vosotros; mas si me fuere, os le enviaré.

This connection does not imply nor require that this property is true for all time before and after this period of time (e.g., at the transfiguration).

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [kjv]

ο δε παρακλητος το πνευμα το αγιον ο πεμψει ο πατηρ εν τω ονοματι μου εκεινος υμας διδαξει παντα και υπομνησει υμας παντα α ειπον υμιν εγω [gnt]

paracletus … Spiritus Sanctus … [v]

The ancient Greek word"παράκλητος" ≈ "advocate" as in the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. The ancient Greek word "πνεῦμα" ≈ "air, wind, breath, life, spirit, soul" where the exact meaning depends on context. The Latin word "spiritus" ≈ "spirit".

The "all" "things" is that of "everything that you need to know" (as you need it).

In PIE languages, the words "ghost" and "guest" are cognate. A "ghost" or "guest" can be either friendly or not friendly, as in (cartoon character) Casper the friendly ghost.

More: Matthew 5:4 Good grief: the consolation prize of comfort

Here are some uses of the word for "seize", "snatch up", "catch up", etc., in the GNT.

*G726 *14 ἁρπάζω (har-pad'-zo) : from a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Usage

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αρπασαι *2

Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into ...
Acts 23:10 ... the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among ...

αρπαζει *2

Matthew 13:19 ... then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his ...
John 10:12 ... fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

αρπαζειν *2

John 6:15 ... come and take him by force, to make ...
John 10:29 ... and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

αρπαζουσιν

Matthew 11:12 ... and the violent take it by force.

αρπασει

John 10:28 ... perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of ...

ηρπασεν

Acts 8:39 ... the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch ...

αρπαγεντα

2 Corinthians 12:2 ... God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

ηρπαγη

2 Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ...

αρπαγησομεθα

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ...

αρπαζοντες

Jude 1:23 ... save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating ...

ηρπασθη

Revelation 12:5 ... and her child was caught up unto God, and ...

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [kjv]

προσερχωμεθα μετα αληθινης καρδιας εν πληροφορια πιστεως ρεραντισμενοι τας καρδιας απο συνειδησεως πονηρας και λελουσμενοι το σωμα υδατι καθαρω [gnt]

The popular hymn "Blessed assurance", by Fanny Crosby, talks of how we are "blessed" by the information that we have the full assurance of salvation from our "evil conscience" (guilt and shame) and of the rapture (in verse 2).
Music: Blessed assurance

More: Song: Blessed assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [kjv]

… falsis prophetis … vestimentis ovium … lupi rapaces [v]

The reference to "ravening wolves" in Matthew 7:15 is not often associated with the "rapture" but both use the same root word.

"αρπαγησομεθα" as "shall be caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (above) which can be considered as two parts
"-σομεθα" as suffix for "shall be" as used in many other verses (omitted)
"αρπαγη" as "caught up" or "seized" or "snatched"
"αρπαγες" as "ravening" in Matthew 7:15

What are these "ravening wolves" trying to "seize" from the "sheep"?

Wolves and dogs can interbreed.
Wolves appear to have an ability to test and detect any weakness in their prey and then take advantage of that weakness for their own benefit.

Wolves may work alone, but usually work in groups as, by analogy, in a human infrastructure analogy (e.g., deep state, birds with nests in an organization, etc.).

More: Canine interbreeding

More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs

Notice how the definitions here are related to the above definitions but that these words are considered separate words.

Notice that the definitions of both are related. How many times have you heard this connection made in a sermon?

Words: αρπαγες=3 αρπαξ αρπαξιν

Some verses are now presented where the root for "snatch up", "catcheth away", etc., by wolves, birds, the wicked one, etc.

At the request of the disciples, Jesus provides the code-word meaning of the "birds" or "fowls" as those of the "wicked one". This happens when one does "not understand" as in "deception" (including self-deception).

Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]

13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]

The "catcheth away" is related to the word for "rapture". The KJV (King James Version) translates as "evil" or "wicked" the Greek word that means "oppression" or "oppressor".

More: Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds

More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]

και εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσεν παρα την οδον και ελθοντα τα πετεινα κατεφαγεν αυτα [gnt]

παντος ακουοντος τον λογον της βασιλειας και μη συνιεντος ερχεται ο πονηρος και αρπαζει το εσπαρμενον εν τη καρδια αυτου ουτος εστιν ο παρα την οδον σπαρεις [gnt]

The Greek for "snatch away" is the word used for "rapture" and the source of the English word "harpoon". It is also used as "ravenous" in terms of "wolves".

The "seed" that was "snatched away" in parable 1 appears to have been deposited (by the "birds") in parable 2 as "weeds" and then grows into a "tree" in parable 3 so that those "birds" have a place to make their "nests".

More: Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man

More: Exodus 18: Hierarchy as a man-made tree structure

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. [kjv]

ο μισθωτος και ουκ ων ποιμην ου ουκ εστιν τα προβατα ιδια θεωρει τον λυκον ερχομενον και αφιησιν τα προβατα και φευγει και ο λυκος αρπαζει αυτα και σκορπιζει [gnt]

… rapit … [v]

10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [kjv]

τα προβατα τα εμα της φωνης μου ακουουσιν καγω γινωσκω αυτα και ακολουθουσιν μοι [gnt]

The Greek word for "scatter" is the source of the English word "scorpion". English has a distinction between "hearing" (a sound) and "listening" (with recognition). The Greek word for "hear" has an assumption of "listening" (with understanding). When this is not the case, that clarification needs to be added.

John talks about "sheep" in the two verses following John 10:27.

More: A scatter-brained approach to the sting of a scorpion

John 10:12

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KJV: But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Greek: ο μισθωτος δε και ουκ ων ποιμην ου ουκ εισιν εστιν τα προβατα ιδια θεωρει τον λυκον ερχομενον και αφιησιν τα προβατα και φευγει και ο λυκος αρπαζει αυτα και σκορπιζει τα προβατα

Latin: mercennarius et qui non est pastor cuius non sunt oves propriae videt lupum venientem et dimittit oves et fugit et lupus rapit et dispergit oves

Wycliffe: But an hirid hyne, and that is not the scheepherde, whos ben not the scheep his owne, seeth a wolf comynge, and he leeueth the scheep, and fleeth; and the wolf rauyschith, and disparplith the scheep.

Tyndale: An heyred servaut which is not ye shepeherd nether ye shepe are his awne seith the wolfe comynge and leveth the shepe and flyeth and the wolfe catcheth them and scattereth ye shepe.

John 10:27

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KJV: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Greek: τα προβατα τα εμα της φωνης μου ακουει ακουουσιν καγω γινωσκω αυτα και ακολουθουσιν μοι

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [kjv]

καγω διδωμι αυτοις ζωην αιωνιον και ου μη απολωνται εις τον αιωνα και ουχ αρπασει τις αυτα εκ της χειρος μου [gnt]

… rapiet … [v]

10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [kjv]

ο πατηρ μου ο δεδωκεν μοι παντων μειζον εστιν και ουδεις δυναται αρπαζειν εκ της χειρος του πατρος [gnt]

… rapere … [v]

The "pluck" is that of "snatching up" or "rapturing". These verses appear to say that anyone in Christ cannot be snatched up by anyone.

This leaves open the question of whether anyone who wishes to be snatched up by someone else can appear to be snatched up by that someone else.

John 10:28

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KJV: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Greek: καγω ζωην αιωνιον διδωμι αυτοις ζωην αιωνιον και ου μη απολωνται εις τον αιωνα και ουχ αρπασει τις αυτα εκ της χειρος μου

Latin: et ego vitam aeternam do eis et non peribunt in aeternum et non rapiet eas quisquam de manu mea

John 10:29

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KJV: My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Greek: ο πατηρ μου ος ο δεδωκεν μοι μειζων παντων μειζον εστιν και ουδεις δυναται αρπαζειν εκ της χειρος του πατρος μου

Latin: Pater meus quod dedit mihi maius omnibus est et nemo potest rapere de manu Patris mei

The summary verse for the previous three verses is the following verse.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one. [kjv]

εγω και ο πατηρ εν εσμεν [gnt]

This verse and others have been used to promote the idea that we should all be "one" in Christ and "one" in God and that we are "better together" since we should all be "one".

It appears that every one should be "one" with Christ individually and not collectively as a group.

More: Song: The church is one foundation

John 10:30

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KJV: I and my Father are one.

Greek: εγω και ο πατηρ εν εσμεν

John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton (1834-1902) said that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men..." (Wikipedia) in a letter to an Anglican bishop.

The question is this. Did the power corrupt or did the opportunity to use power show what already existed in the person?

More: Absolute power

A question related to absolute power is the following. Can a sheep-dog change into a wolf-dog or was the person a wolf-dog all along?

A wolf-dog (false prophet) who takes over a church group will impersonate a sheep-dog and use this verse to accuse any outsider trying to proclaim the truth of the Bible as a wolf-dog.

How can you tell the difference? (by their fruit, and fruit is specific to the tree)
The dog breed is related to the wolf breed and can, in fact, interbreed.

Two dogs may appear similar, but one may be a sheep dog and another a wolf dog. This could make a big difference.

More: Sheep dogs and wolf dogs

More: Interbreeding

In psychology projection is claiming that someone else is doing what you, in fact, are doing.
One way a wolf-dog will keep the flock in line in the face of truth is to accuse those proclaiming the truth of needing to control, needing to be right and using the scripture to control - when in fact it is the wolf-dog doing that very thing.

Interestingly, a wolf-dog (false prophet or teacher) can seize or snatch up the rapture from their flock by not talking about it or explaining it. In other words, the wolf-dog is taking on the role of God (impersonating, not imitating) by enacting their own version of the "rapture".

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]

ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

… forma … rapinam … aequalem … [v]

The Greek word for "robbery" is that of "snatching up" or otherwise acquiring something, as in "grasping", the "rapture" or "plundering".

More: Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man

This particular word is used only once in the GNT - by Paul. This may be another word whose related similar-sounding word is what the "bishops" are actually doing - "robbing" those they are to assist.

More: Philippians 2:5-8 form of God and Aristotelian causes

The hymn "To God be the Glory" was written in 1875 by Fanny Crosby and is based on Galations 1:4-5.

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: [kjv]

1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [kjv]

The "rapture" is mentioned in verse 3.

More: Song: To God be the glory

To God be the glory, great things He hath done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.

Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.