Lost And Taken
Matthew 24:40-41
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Here we see the testimony of the two women with one taken and the other left at the time of the Master's return. How closely it parallels the two women of Revelation with the woman who was sheltered and the other condemned. The fall of one and the shelter of the other proceeds the coming of the Lamb. So also does this intersect with the testimony of Rachel and with Leah no more. In it are found the children of the bondwoman and of the freed. They all still need the Lord. There is a spirit going around these days of which Rachel and Leah were the first just like Adam and Eve. It is akin to the false prophets of 1 John 4 by nature and design. Through deception Jacob married Leah when he came for Rachel. Now are all the children in one house with the bondwoman gone. It is important to see that by nature, deception, and slavery was Leah the bondwoman. So does Galatians 4:22-31 speak to the casting out of the "bondwoman and her son." It was due to the no heirs that the one had with the other that it was done.
Recently, I had the opportunity to see the movie about Dr. Strange and the multiverse in a whole new light. The story is essentially about a group of thieves which stole a few spells for their own benefit only to find it backfired on them. At the end of it all, Dr. Strange turns to them and says, 'you know you really should have stolen the whole book, cause the warnings come after the spells.' I got to thinking about how the modern church has twisted the words of Christ and perverted the meaning of the gospel; some even went so far as to profane the Scriptures themselves. You know, the real enemy here can hardly be considered the Lord. The gospel is more than just about personal gain, living forever, and brining about peace on earth. Although such things are nice, these in and of themselves are hardly the main focus. In ancient times, the forefathers of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and all the rest lived for nearly nine-hundred years. My, these days everybody's lifespans keep getting shorter and shorter. Yet for the life of me I cannot figure out why.
Could it be that our understanding has decreased of such things that we really ought to know. Secondly, what we used to know has been lost. Why else would the Lord say the understanding of man is faulty which is why it should not be listened to. As attached as you and I are to one woman or the other, God is doing something here that we know not. So then, in the end, his judgment is not of condemnation but rather one of mercy. See, Matthew 24:37 refers back to the days of Noah. It is all connected together. You cannot have one without the other. It is hard to have joy without suffering. It is hard to have Heaven without a Hell. So also, it is hard that have judgement without mercy. They meet together and kiss one another here in these texts. You did not know what went on between the two men in the field, but God did. You had no idea the story of the two women at the mill, but God did. Is it not wonderful how intimately he knows each of our stories. How also he reaches down to each of us. For such can he be trusted. For when he is done, we will never be the same again.
There is a Heavenly perspective at stake. Since the Scripture uses Noah as a good example, let us look briefly at his life. He was a carpenter, told to build a great ship in his own backyard. Imagine how the people must have laughed. Just think, he had no friends but those of his own family. He was struggling to build an ark and still survive in those days. The man had to feed his family and still fulfill the words of the Lord. But everyone else around him lived life unbothered. There was no Heaven and no Hell left unto them, only the now. They got married, had babies, partied, and drank as though God never existed at all. Moreover, all the Lord had ever done for their neighbor was make him look crazy.
Look then at the thief of verse forty-three. He came unto a house unprepared and took from the spoils thereof be it man, woman, or child. Therefore, the master thereof really ought to have secured them all better. Those of you telling me you cannot control your own family have clearly never tried. My word, those men of old all by their lonesome selves declaring that they and their house would serve the Lord. How many know that such service of him is never in vain. I once heard the story of a man who took the Lord at his word but was absolutely shocked when he found other people that did too. Another person I found was so intent on escaping people and situations that she could not even leave the building. Tell me, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith still left on the earth.Whether you are among the taken or yet remain is nobody else's business but your own and the Lord's.