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QUESTION 28
What did the Lord mean when He said, "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left?" - Luke 17:36. Does this refer to the rapture?

ANSWER:
This verse has often been taught to mean the rapture, when the saved of earth will be taken and others not saved left. However, this is out of context. The rapture was a mystery hidden at the time when the Lord spoke these words. His ministry at that time was to the nation of Israel. The church, as His body, was not yet in existence. In the context of Luke 17:26, He is speaking about Noah and the flood, and Lot and Sodom. When the flood came upon earth we read that "...it destroyed them all..." Luke 17:27. The flood came and they, the wicked, were taken away in judgment.

In the case of Sodom, Lot remained on earth and the others were all destroyed in the overthrow. The verse in question is speaking about the Battle of Armageddon and the wicked will be taken away in judgment and those left will inherit the kingdom. Revelation 19:11. "...Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom..." Matthew 25:34. "...Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. The one is left for the kingdom on earth, the other is taken away in judgment.

My Dear Reader, where will you spend eternity? Christ is the only door to heaven. (John 10:9. You can be in heaven with Him or in hell forever. What will you do with the Saviour? (Acts 16:31 and John 3:16).

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen