Matthew 24:40-41

[John81]

What is the meaning of this and what does it refer to?

Matthew 24:40-41 (King James Version)

40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

[JerryNumbers]

Some will be taken when Jesus comes, some will be left, and in some parts of the world it will be daylight, yet other parts of the world it will be during the night.

[Brother Rick]

This isn't the Rapture of the Church. Look at Christ's answer.

Luke 17:34-37, "I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37) And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together."

[JerryNumbers]

All I will say is that you need to do a bit more study before making any statements, for your showing a lack of Bible knowledge.

[Brother Rick]

All I will say is that you need to do a bit more study before making any statements, for your showing a lack of Bible knowledge.

Did you read the underlined verse?

Why are you reacting this way? I wasn't attacking you, and I don't really think I deserved your response. If you disagree, don't drop a one-liner on me; just explain yourself with Scripture.

I know sometimes I'm a little sarcastic sometimes. It's my personality, but I do try to keep it in check. If I disagree with someone, I at least try to present Scripture or a reason that makes more sense then something like, "You need to study your Bible, you don't know what your talking about...."

[John81]

I've heard two main theories for this as well:

This is referring to the Rapture.

This is referring to after the 2nd coming; the ones taken will be taken to judgement and death. The ones left will be left to enter the blessings of the millennial kingdom.

[Covenanter]

See my #7 post on the "10 virgins" thread.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Covenanter

[JerryNumbers]

Why not say, I disagree, and here is why, them explain before saying someone is wrong, you need to be sure they are wrong before making that statement.

You asked me, did I read the underlined verse, Yes, I've read all of those verses many times. They are quite simple, its about the rapture of the saved.

At the rapture, some will be taken, some will be left behind, of course, the saved will be taken, the lost will be left behind on that great day spoken about in 1 Thessalonians 4.

Luke 17:34-37,
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

That's about the rapture, and nothing else.

And on that wonderful day, it will be day light on part of the earth, it will be night time on other parts of the earth. Some will be sleeping, some will be in the field working. And we have no idea at what time of day, hour, that Jesus will come in the air for His own.

And yes, I know they be those that say all. both saved and the lost, will be rapture at the same time, yet that is not what the Bible teaches, the lost will not be rapture until right before the 'Great White Throne Judgment,' and the saved will be rapture right before the tribulations starts/

[Wilchbla]

Rick is right. This passage is clearly referring to a rapture towards the end of the Great Tribulation. It's not the rapture of I Thess. chapter 4. If there isn't two raptures yet to come then you would have to say that the church will go through the tribulation based on Matthew 24:40,41. No way around it.

Edited April 1, 2011 by Wilchbla

[Covenanter]

Rick is right. This passage is clearly referring to a rapture towards the end of the Great Tribulation. It's not the rapture of I Thess. chapter 4. If there isn't two raptures yet to come then you would have to say that the church will go through the tribulation based on Matthew 24:40,41. No way around it.

Two raptures !?!?!?!?!? How many resurrections????? I see 2 in Scripture - conversion & at Jesus return. (John 5:24 ff)

Once you start inventing doctrines like the rapture, you get into all sorts of difficulties, as you have realised.

Any comments on my simple explanation - my #7 post on the "10 virgins" thread???

[Wilchbla]

Two raptures !?!?!?!?!? How many resurrections????? I see 2 in Scripture - conversion & at Jesus return. (John 5:24 ff)

Once you start inventing doctrines like the rapture, you get into all sorts of difficulties, as you have realised.

Any comments on my simple explanation - my #7 post on the "10 virgins" thread???

You seemed to get emotional when you hear the word "rapture". There is clearly a "catching away" of saints in many instances throughout the bible. And there are least SEVEN resurrections in the bible too.

[Covenanter]

And there are least SEVEN resurrections in the bible too.

Convince me with Scripture.