The concept of disappearing, while not frequently addressed directly in the Bible, can be explored through various narratives and themes that involve sudden or mysterious vanishings, divine interventions, and the transient nature of life. The Bible provides several instances where individuals or groups disappear, either physically or metaphorically, often serving as a testament to God's power, judgment, or protection.

Enoch and Elijah

Two of the most notable examples of disappearing in the Bible are the accounts of Enoch and Elijah, both of whom were taken by God without experiencing death. In Genesis 5:24, it is written, "Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him away." This passage suggests a divine intervention where Enoch's close relationship with God resulted in his mysterious disappearance from the earthly realm.

Similarly, the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, as described in 2 Kings 2:11: "As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." Elijah's disappearance serves as a powerful demonstration of God's authority over life and death and His ability to transcend natural laws.

The Rapture

In eschatological discussions, the concept of the Rapture involves the sudden disappearance of believers from the earth, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." This anticipated event underscores the belief in Christ's return and the gathering of His followers, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly existence and the hope of eternal life.

Divine Protection and Judgment

The theme of disappearing can also be seen in instances of divine protection and judgment. In the account of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family are urged to flee the city to escape impending judgment. Genesis 19:16-17 recounts, "When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD's compassion was upon them." Here, the disappearance of Lot's family from the doomed city illustrates God's mercy and deliverance.

Conversely, the disappearance of entire populations as a result of divine judgment is evident in the narrative of the Great Flood. Genesis 7:23 states, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark." This account highlights the severity of God's judgment and the complete eradication of the wicked.

The Transience of Life

The Bible frequently addresses the fleeting nature of human life, often using imagery of disappearing to convey this message. James 4:14 reminds believers, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This metaphor emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life, urging individuals to live with an eternal perspective and reliance on God's will.

In summary, the theme of disappearing in the Bible encompasses divine interventions, eschatological events, and the transient nature of life. These narratives and teachings serve to illustrate God's sovereignty, the hope of salvation, and the call to live faithfully in anticipation of His promises.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Disappear.855. aphantos -- invisible
... invisible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aphantos Phonetic Spelling:
(af'-an-tos) Short Definition: disappearing, invisible, hidden Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/855.htm - 6k

854. aphanismos -- a vanishing
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: aphanismos Phonetic Spelling:
(af-an-is-mos') Short Definition: disappearing, disappearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/854.htm - 6k

83. adelotes -- uncertainty
... Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ay-lot'-ace) Short Definition: uncertainty Definition: the
quality of being unseen (of disappearing), indefiniteness, uncertainty. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/83.htm - 6k

The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation
... Man, who was created in God's image and in his possession of reason reflected the
very Word Himself, was disappearing, and the work of God was being undone. ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 2 the divine dilemma.htm

The Preacher as a Man of the Word.
... It seems the frailest of all weapons; for what is a word? It is only a puff of air,
a vibration trembling in the atmosphere for a moment and then disappearing. ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iv the preacher as.htm

Ignatius Sails to Smyrna.
... they might receive from him some [1417] spiritual gift), but above all, the holy
Polycarp, that, by means of the wild beasts, he soon disappearing from this ...
/.../pearson/the martyrdom of ignatius/chapter iii ignatius sails to smyrna.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... carried to Margate, where they see the melancholy, and yet satisfactory spectacle
of their vessel burning to the water's edge, and then disappearing from view. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

Importance of the Time of Youth; Difficulties and Dangers that ...
... that purity, that innocence so common formerly among children, is every day
disappearing from their midst, many among them have become the victims of sin ere ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter i importance of the.htm

Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ...
... The splendor and power of monarchy now show their hollowness and vanity by so quickly
disappearing, and even their memory vanishing, at the touch of death. ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter viii still continues the.htm

Love and Law.
... met with, and in a little while there will be no living representative of such"at
least not in America, where all social distinctions are rapidly disappearing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/love and law.htm

Religious Education --The Fundamental Problem of To-Day
... why the literature, history, geography, and ethical teachings of the Old Testament
should not be taught in our public schools are rapidly disappearing, and the ...
/.../xvi religious educationthe fundamental problem.htm

Concerning the Angels and Giants.
... anything is really opposed to God, like strife to friendship, according to Empedocles,
and night to day, according to the appearing and disappearing of the ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xxiv concerning the angels and.htm

Elijah
... Consider his strange and wild life, wandering about in forests and mountains, suddenly
appearing, and suddenly disappearing again, so that no man knew where to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xix elijah.htm

Disappearing (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Disappear. Multi-Version Concordance Disappearing (2 Occurrences). ... It
is even a vapour, appearing for a little while, and then disappearing,) (DBY). ...
/d/disappearing.htm - 7k

Obsolete (1 Occurrence)
... the words, "a new Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete; but whatever is
decaying and showing signs of old age is not far from disappearing altogether. ...
/o/obsolete.htm - 6k

Glance (5 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To move quickly, appearing and disappearing rapidly; to be visible only
for an instant at a time; to move interruptedly; to twinkle. 10. ...
/g/glance.htm - 8k

Flash (19 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and
disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning. 10. ...
/f/flash.htm - 13k

Transient (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Passing before the sight or perception and then disappearing; of short duration;
not permanent; not lasting or durable; not stationary; passing ...
/t/transient.htm - 7k

Thyine
... Romans. Like the cedars of Lebanon, it is disappearing from the forests of
Palestine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. THYINE, WOOD. ...
/t/thyine.htm - 7k

Disappears (4 Occurrences)

/d/disappears.htm - 7k

Decaying (3 Occurrences)
... the words, "a new Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete; but whatever is
decaying and showing signs of old age is not far from disappearing altogether. ...
/d/decaying.htm - 7k

Disappeared (4 Occurrences)

/d/disappeared.htm - 7k

Disappear (13 Occurrences)
... the words, "a new Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete; but whatever is
decaying and showing signs of old age is not far from disappearing altogether. ...
/d/disappear.htm - 10k

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