When Jesus taught the rapture, how come in the example he gave those taken were killed, and those left lived?

Question

Matthew 24:37-42 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Notice in the example of Noah, the sinners were taken away in the flood, and only the righteous were left behind. According to Jesus' example, which would you rather be, one who was taken, or one who survived the judgement of the second coming?

um, Jesus spoke Aramaic, not Greek.

Answer 1

The portions of the Bible you quote DO NOT deal with the Rapture. They deal with what is known as the "sheep and goat judgement." This happens after the Second Coming (24:37) of Jesus Christ. The NT was originally written in Greek, so we must look at its exact wording. The Greek word translated as "coming" here is "parousia," meaning "an arrival or advent." When Jesus returns to Rapture the Church, He does not return to the earth; this is all done "in the air." For this reason, we can be confident the passages you reference are a completely different event than the Rapture.

Jesus says at Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left."

The "sheep" (His followers) are left to inherit everlasting life; the "goats" (unbelievers) are taken away to everlasting punishment.

Answer 2

That was an outstanding observation, I have to commend you.
I never noticed that. No where by the way does the bible mention a rapture. We always say someone was taken. Meaning they died. That makes a good point, those left will still be alive.
Jesus said: The meek would inherit the earth." He was quoting from Psalms 37: 10,11, Says basically the same thing those taken die. Proverbs 2:21,22 Always made me wonder what did it mean? "
As regards the wicked, they will be cut of from the very earth and as for the treacherous they will be torn away form it."
there again the ones leaving it don't sound to good for them!

Answer 3

It's Greek lesson time.

The "took them all away" passage in the account of Noah, uses the Greek word "airo" (Strong's Ref. # 142) which is a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism [compare HSN5375] to expiate sin.

In this case, those who were left behind were swept away by the flood waters.

In the account of those in the field or grinding, the Greek word is "paralambano," (Strong's Ref. # 3880) which is derived from GSN3844 and GSN2983; to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.

Thus, these people are assuming a new position, being taken away to a new place. They assume a new "office" receiving their glorified bodies. (Cf. I Corinthians 15:42-46, 51-52)

In the case of Noah, those swept away died from the flood waters. In the case of those in the field or grinding, they are promoted, if you will. The rest stay in their natural, carnal state.

I hope that helps!

POSTSCRIPT: Those who say that the "rapture" is not mentioned in the Bible are in error. I Thessalonians 4:17 says that we will be "caught up." The Greek word is "harpazo." The Latin word that was translated from the Greek is "rapere," which means to seize violently. Further, the rapture is clearly described in several other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 and John 14:1-3 for starters.

SECOND POSTSCRIPT: Although Jesus may have spoken Aramaic (likely Hebrew instead), His words were recorded in Greek by His apostles.

Answer 4

During the secondcoming, whenever it happens, it will be swift and quick. Those left will not be taken with their heavenly Father for all eternity. The believers that Jesus will "take" will not be killed. They will simply be "taken" up to heaven. It's not like all of a sudden people will drop dead and others will be walking around not knowing what happened. Everyone will know what is happening when it does. I think once people see God decend from heaven on a cloud with thousands of angels around Him and they see the heavens open before them, they'll have a pretty good clue of what's goin on. I choose to be taken, rather than left.

Answer 5

You have obviously never read the "left behind" books, written by Tim LaHaye. The ones referred to as taken in Matthew, have been taken up into Heaven to meet Jesus in the air. The ones who have been left behind will have to go thru the tribulation period described in the book of Revelation.
I'd rather be taken, then left behind.

Answer 6

Jesus never taught the Rapture. The word Rapture is not even in the Bible.

Answer 7

Because he didn't teach "the rapture". The Rapture is a post-reformation teaching that has no concrete support in scripture.

Answer 8

Where in Matthew is the rapture mentioned?

You are being vague

Answer 9

the ones that are taken are the ones going straight to heaven I pray I may be one of those

Answer 10

I am happy that you noticed that. I would rather be left behind! :o)