ONE TAKEN, ONE LEFT BEHIND

Thursday 29 May

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Matthew 24:40-41 (NIV)

I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” Luke 17:34-35 (NIV)

Have you ever heard about the movies ‘left behind’? This a series of films about what they believe will happen in the future when the rapture presumably takes place and the ensuing events that will transpire after the prepared Christians have left the earth. It depicts a world of unparalleled fear and chaos and the rise of one man to power who will rule the world. Every megalomaniacs dream. If you don’t comply by taking the mark you will be beheaded. Fiction or fact?

There is a theme song that runs throughout titled ‘I wish we’d all been ready’. They reference our above two scripture passages and give a strong impression that the rapture was the occurrence Jesus was alluding to in these verses.

This raises some major questions which require biblical answers.

Firstly, what was the context of Jesus’ discussion with His disciples?

Secondly, are there any other instances in past history where similar events have taken place?

Let’s address the latter first. In A.D. 70 Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman Empire. Titus the son of Vespasian was responsible for the capture and destruction of the city after his father the Emperor put down the Jewish rebels also know as zealots or the Maccabees.

Jesus prophesied of this destruction in Matthew 24:3 ‘But He answered them, Do you see all these? Truly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’

Many biblical scholars believe that Jesus could have been foretelling the events that would happen in the near future. Furthermore, let’s not forget that Rome occupied Israel and caused persecution on a daily basis.

Jesus himself was born into this cruel occupation and He was the one who told His disciples ‘in the world you will have tribulation’…

It was not uncommon in history for people to be exiled to foreign lands such as Israel to Assyria and the Judah to Babylon. Not every one was carried off though. Some were left behind intentionally by their conquerors.

Soldiers could also be taken by force and be recruited by their enemies with the threat of harm or violence to their family members if they did not fully comply. These are some plausible scenarios.

There is a central theme that runs through all of this

Which brings us back to our first point. What was the context of Jesus discourse? Persecution. In particular persecution for the sake of the gospel. This next passage in Matthew 24:10-13 clearly shows this.

‘At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

Saved here is not talking about losing your salvation in Christ as this is an impossibility. Even those who turn away or drift away from the truth in Christ will remain saved.

That’s the grace of God despite the ignorance of the believer.

I suggest to you that it is simply about being physically saved from persecution.

For those who have a certain predisposition this is a lot to take in. As always, I encourage you to do your own personal study on the matter.

We will be continuing to take our lead from the Word of God on all related end time subjects and not Christian Hollywood screen writers so stay tuned to hear more about what the Bible has to say.

APPLICATION

Do your own detailed personal study on these passages based on the facts of the gospel of Christ and not on the hearsay of men.