Benjamin L. Merkle, “Who Will Be Left Behind? Rethinking the Meaning of Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35,” WTJ 72 (2010): 169-79.
Justin Taylor‘s take: Here’s his thesis, in essence: “Although many assume that those taken in Matt 24:40-41and Luke 17:34-35 are taken to be with Jesus and those left behind are left for judgment, this interpretation should be rejected.”
Merkle’s conclusion summarizes his arguments:
Throughout the context of these passages Jesus uses judgment language reminiscent of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of its inhabitants. Those who were taken away were the ones judged by God whereas those left behind were the remnant who received grace.
Furthermore, the teaching of Jesus confirms this thesis. In the Parable of the Weeds the Son of Man sends his angels to gather out the children of the devil and throw them in the fiery furnace whereas the wheat is left behind (Matt 13:36-43).
The context of Matt 24 and Luke 17 also suggests Jesus is intentionally using judgment and remnant language. Such language naturally brings up images of the former destruction of Jerusalem where the enemy came and “took away” (i.e., killed) those in the city.
Finally, the parallel with Noah and the flood in the preceding verses strongly confirms our thesis. Just as in the days of Noah the people were taken away by the great flood, so those who are not prepared will be taken away when the Son of Man returns.
You can read his arguments in more detail here.
Interesting. I really hope this post causes us to search God’s Word! My first thought is this – what about 2 Thess. 2:3 – 7 which seems to indicate that those who are left behind are apostate or in other words – in total rebellion against God?
I think the key comparison is the one used in Matthew 24:37-39 about the days of Noah, where the flood came and “swept [the ungodly] away.” Jesus then goes into the relationship between those days and the coming of the Son of Man. His comparison leads us to believe that the Christian is the one left behind, not the unbeliever. Like in Noah’s day, the Lord’s judgment takes away the ungodly.
This brings up another question though. Will Christians be around for persecution during the last days?
I don’t think so! But it depends on your eschatology.
I am personally planning on being taken up and out before…
1. Total apostasy of the church
2. Scorpions with hair and stingers
3. 100 pound hail stones
4. Other gloomy events
What about you?
And regarding the Noah comparison – I believe it is pretty clear that the comparison refers to the surprise of that day – not necessarily how it all went down – but that’s just me – am I missing something really obvious?