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Background to the Noahic and “Left Behind” Passage in Matthew 24:37–41
In the first part of the program I gave some background on this issue, explaining why two different groups of pretribulationists hold to opposite viewpoints about this issue and passage. I also explained that there are Christians who are saying, “I want to be left behind!” and why this is an ignorant statement based on a flawed interpretation. I talked about the importance of walking through the discourse to discern the narrative contextual flow. When someone takes this approach they should conclude that the Noahic and agricultural illustrations are referring back to the separation event of the second coming (parousia) of Christ in Mathew 24:31
6 Reasons Why “Taken” is a Positive Action and “Left” is a Negative Action
In the second half of the show I gave six reasons why those who are taken, are taken to deliverance, and those who are left, are left for judgment—not the other way around as some interpreters think. When Christ returns he will take his people (“his elect”) and judge the wicked who are left.
1. The Noahic and agricultural illustrations in verses 37–41 intend to illustrate the separation of the elect from the wicked at the parousia in verses 30-31.
2. The parallelism is consistent among the illustrations as well as the parousia-separation event.
3. The usage of the Greek words paralambanō and airō support that the “taken” are for deliverance and the “left” for judgment.
4. The usage of the Greek words paralambanō and aphiēmi support that the “taken” are for deliverance and the “left” for judgment.
5. The parable of the ten virgins is consistent with the point that one is taken for deliverance and one left for judgment.
6. Jesus’ use of the vulture proverb is consistent with the point that one is taken for deliverance and one left for judgment.
I concluded the program with an exhortation to be spiritually prepared for Jesus’ coming lest you find yourself truly left behind for judgment.
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