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Wednesday, 7-1-26, 4th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Tammuz 15, 5786, 11th. Summer
In Matthew 24:36–44, Jesus compares the suddenness of His return to the days of Noah, when the wicked were swept away while Noah and his family remained. Verse 41’s “one taken and one left” refers to judgment—those taken are removed in judgment, while those left remain on earth.
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Matthew 24:36-44 emphasizes that no one knows the exact time of Christ’s return, not even Jesus himself, and urges constant readiness and watchfulness for that day.
The story of Noah illustrates judgment in Matthew 24:41 by comparing the sudden removal of the unrighteous in the flood to the "one taken" in judgment, while the righteous (like Noah's family) are "left behind" to inherit the earth.
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What interpretations exist for the phrase 'one taken and one left' in Matthew 24:41?
The phrase 'one taken and one left' in Matthew 24:41 is often interpreted in two main ways: some believe that 'the one taken' refers to the righteous being raptured to heaven, while others argue that it signifies the wicked being taken away in judgment, leaving the righteous behind. This latter interpretation aligns with the analogy of Noah's flood, where the wicked were swept away and the righteous remained.
kingdomlifestyleministries.org
up.uncommonpursuit.net
Always Be Ready
“As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” So Jesus says in today’s gospel reading (Matthew 24:36-44). But there is an important difference between Noah and us: Noah knew exactly when the flood was coming. At one point, God said to Noah: “In seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights.” Noah knew when the flood was coming. He got his family on board, and the animals, knowing – to the day – when the rain would begin.
We, on the other hand, have no idea when the Son of Man is coming. Jesus himself says in this reading: “About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Even Jesus himself does not know when he will return! (Remember that the next time someone gets their 15 minutes of fame by claiming to know the date that the world will end!)
Jesus goes on to say: “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”
The uncomfortable truth of the matter is that we have no idea when the Son of Man is coming. It will be like a thief in the night. No warning. No alarm system. A complete shock to everyone in the house. For some of us, we will fall asleep in death, and when we open our eyes, Jesus will be before us. And we don’t have any idea when that day will come. For others, perhaps, Jesus will make his promised, glorious return before we fall asleep in death. Either way, we don’t know when it will happen. We just know that it will.
And so, Jesus invites us to get ready. Build the ark. Build the church. Go and make disciples. Baptize; teach; worship; pray. Wake ourselves up to what really matters in this life. It’s not too late. The flood has not yet arrived. Jesus has not yet returned. Now is the time to get ready. To wake up. Jesus is coming. We don’t know when. But we know that he is coming. And his arrival draws closer every day.
Keep Awake
Now, when I think of this need to keep awake, which is an important theme of Advent, I can’t help but think of being behind the wheel of a car. That’s where I often seem to really need to concentrate to stay awake. It’s almost more difficult these days, isn’t it? With GPS devices and cruise control and all these driving conveniences we have. It’s great to have all of these things, but they can lead us to not pay as much attention to our driving. We travel down the road with the cruise control set, the GPS activated, and we let our minds wander. We can easily be lulled into not paying enough attention to what we’re doing.
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Love, Walter and Debbie
In Matthew 24:36–44, Jesus compares the suddenness of His return to the days of Noah, when the wicked were swept away while Noah and his family remained. Verse 41’s “one taken and one left” refers to judgment—those taken are removed in judgment, while those left remain on earth.
Understanding Matthew 24:36-44
Context of the Passage
In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus discusses His second coming, emphasizing its unexpected nature. He draws a parallel to the days of Noah, highlighting how people were unaware of the impending flood until it was too late. This comparison serves to illustrate the suddenness of His return and the need for vigilance among believers.Key Verses Explained
| Verse | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 36 | No one knows the exact time of Jesus' return, not even the angels, only God knows. |
| 37-39 | Just as in Noah's time, people were living their daily lives without awareness of the coming judgment. |
| 40-41 | "One taken and one left" signifies judgment; those taken are removed in judgment, while the righteous remain. |
The Days of Noah
- Daily Life: People were engaged in normal activities—eating, drinking, marrying—unaware of the flood.
- Judgment: The flood swept away the wicked, while Noah and his family were preserved.
Implications for Believers
The passage encourages believers to remain vigilant and prepared for Jesus' return. The focus is not on predicting the time but on living according to His teachings and being ready for His coming. The message is clear: the righteous will endure, while the unfaithful will face judgment.Explore More
What are the key themes in Matthew 24:36-44 in the Nelson KJV?Matthew 24:36-44 emphasizes that no one knows the exact time of Christ’s return, not even Jesus himself, and urges constant readiness and watchfulness for that day.
The story of Noah illustrates judgment in Matthew 24:41 by comparing the sudden removal of the unrighteous in the flood to the "one taken" in judgment, while the righteous (like Noah's family) are "left behind" to inherit the earth.
What interpretations exist for the phrase 'one taken and one left' in Matthew 24:41?
The phrase 'one taken and one left' in Matthew 24:41 is often interpreted in two main ways: some believe that 'the one taken' refers to the righteous being raptured to heaven, while others argue that it signifies the wicked being taken away in judgment, leaving the righteous behind. This latter interpretation aligns with the analogy of Noah's flood, where the wicked were swept away and the righteous remained.
Always Be Ready
“As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” So Jesus says in today’s gospel reading (Matthew 24:36-44). But there is an important difference between Noah and us: Noah knew exactly when the flood was coming. At one point, God said to Noah: “In seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights.” Noah knew when the flood was coming. He got his family on board, and the animals, knowing – to the day – when the rain would begin.
We, on the other hand, have no idea when the Son of Man is coming. Jesus himself says in this reading: “About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Even Jesus himself does not know when he will return! (Remember that the next time someone gets their 15 minutes of fame by claiming to know the date that the world will end!)
Jesus goes on to say: “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”
The uncomfortable truth of the matter is that we have no idea when the Son of Man is coming. It will be like a thief in the night. No warning. No alarm system. A complete shock to everyone in the house. For some of us, we will fall asleep in death, and when we open our eyes, Jesus will be before us. And we don’t have any idea when that day will come. For others, perhaps, Jesus will make his promised, glorious return before we fall asleep in death. Either way, we don’t know when it will happen. We just know that it will.
And so, Jesus invites us to get ready. Build the ark. Build the church. Go and make disciples. Baptize; teach; worship; pray. Wake ourselves up to what really matters in this life. It’s not too late. The flood has not yet arrived. Jesus has not yet returned. Now is the time to get ready. To wake up. Jesus is coming. We don’t know when. But we know that he is coming. And his arrival draws closer every day.
Keep Awake
Now, when I think of this need to keep awake, which is an important theme of Advent, I can’t help but think of being behind the wheel of a car. That’s where I often seem to really need to concentrate to stay awake. It’s almost more difficult these days, isn’t it? With GPS devices and cruise control and all these driving conveniences we have. It’s great to have all of these things, but they can lead us to not pay as much attention to our driving. We travel down the road with the cruise control set, the GPS activated, and we let our minds wander. We can easily be lulled into not paying enough attention to what we’re doing.
Matthew 24:36-44 Nelson KJV Illustration Of The Days Of Noah The Open Bible Especially verse 41 Context at DuckDuckGo
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Love, Walter and Debbie
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