“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37 NIV
Reflection: how do you envision the second coming of Jesus to be like?
In a way, it is strange that there is so much controversy about the coming of Jesus. He spoke quite a bit about it directly to the disciples, which we can study in Matthew chapters 24, 25; Mark chapter 13; Luke chapter 21. With this much text devoted to the end times, it was clearly something Jesus wanted us to be aware of. There are some who promote the idea that there is an imminent “removal”, or “taking away” of God’s people. There are even those who say a “rapture” will take place today, September 23,2025, even though Jesus is clear that we will not know the time or day when the Son of Man is returning. ““But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”Matthew 24:36 ESV. There has to be a good reason why we are not to know the time or the day, I would imagine. So let’s trust him, our Lord, also in this.
But I would like to touch on a controversial topic regarding the coming of the Son of Man. In the focus verse, Jesus is equating his return with “the days of Noah”, so there is a lot we can understand from what will happen by comparing with the past. Let’s read what Jesus said in context here. “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37-39 ESV. Now, question to think about here – who was “swept away”? Who was removed from the face of the earth? Noah and his family, or the evildoers?
So what will happen to the believers when Jesus returns? Let’s read on. “Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.” Matthew 24:40-41 ESV. We have generally heard that these verses support a “rapture” of believers. But let’s be very careful here. We see one person taken and one left, in the English translation. The first, the word, “taken” (paralambanō), doesn’t mean “removed” but rather to receive; “to take to, to take with one’s self, to join to one’s self”, such as in a marriage. It is the same word used when the angel told Joseph to take Mary to himself when he found out she was pregnant. “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20 ESV. The second, the one that will be “left” (aphiēmi) has several meanings, including “to send away; such as to bid going away or depart of a husband divorcing his wife”.
For additional context here, let’s look at the parable of the “Weeds and the Wheat” found in Matthew 13:24-30, which Jesus told much earlier. It might help us better understand what will happen when he returns. If not familiar with the parable, I recommend reading it now before proceeding. We will focus on Jesus’ explanation of it. “Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:36-43 ESV
We can see here a connection of what happened in the days of Noah, when all the evildoers were swept away by a flood, with the coming of the Son of Man. But we can also easily see why this whole topic can become confusing, the timing and what will happen, which of course is the goal of the enemy. But Jesus gave us lots of scripture for us to study, to help us better understand what will happen. I highly recommend doing some self study on this topic as opposed to just accepting what you have heard. Read the 3 gospels where Jesus talks about the end times in Matthew, Mark and Luke, and ask God to reveal truth to you.
Jesus gave us many warnings about the end times, especially about not falling asleep, getting too caught up in all the things of this world. ““But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”” Luke 21:34-36 ESV.