Matthew Chapter 24

As stated in our previous post Brother Shallieu’s interpretation of Verses 42-44 differs a little from that of the Pastor’s, but nothing I believe which would detract from the overall Harvest message in any way. It is important to remember that the brethren were not all given the exact same knowledge and understanding on every particular subject therefore we should allow room for difference of opinions, especially on anything pertaining to prophecies yet fulfilled.

We will begin by taking another quick look at Verses 40 and 41 before proceeding. (Note: we have edited some of this)

Verse 40 “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

The “field” is the missionary field. Those employed in the Christian field are very zealous to give their life in such sacrifice. They are more than just nominal Christians, generally speaking, for they are putting their lives on the line.

Verse 41 “Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

This verse pertains to the grinding out spiritual food in various ways (for example, Sunday school teachers, elders, those who print literature, etc.).

In Verses 40 and 41, two are on the scene; one is taken and one is left.

What are these verses saying?

One will be taken to be of the Little Flock, and the other will be left to, hopefully, then end up as Great Company. (Note: Even the true Christian is a “nominal” Christian from the standpoint that he is a professed Christian who bears the name of Christ. However, among nominal Christians, there are both wheat and tares, both true and false.)

All during the Harvest period one has been dying here and there and been raised to be part of the Little Flock.

But why, here, does the ratio break down to one and one?

Two are there, but only one is taken. The suggestion is that one might be taken, but not his best friend. A husband could be taken, but not his wife—or vice versa. The two are supposedly working in the “field,” “mill,” or “bed” (see Luke 17:34–36) together; one will make his calling and election sure and one will not.

And where are the “more than conquerors” taken to?

Verse 28 mentions the “carcass,” but that had to do with coming away from nominal relationships to a more serious identity with Christ. That condition continues until the elect, the feet members, are gathered to the very source: to meet the Master himself in the air (1 Thess. 4:17), to come into his very presence. First there comes the attraction to the spiritual food, the Harvest message. Then follows a period of development, and finally (when proven faithful unto death) comes the sudden rapture (the translation or resurrection change) of the feet members. Thus Verses 40–42 pertain to the rapture, which will occur during the impending “clouds” or sudden trouble. The last members will be caught up together in clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

The analogy of a “snare” in Luke 21:35 also signifies the suddenness of the trouble.

“For as a snare shall it [the trouble] come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.”

A snare takes an animal suddenly by surprise.

Verse 42-44 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman (or Master) of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

 “In such an hour as ye think not.” Notice that verse 44 does NOT SAY, “In such a year [or time].” The “hour” is stressed rather than a year date.

There will be no last single member of the body of Christ but rather a collective group, so as not to detract from the Head.

As it is written: “He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Col 1:18).

The thought is that the last of the faithful feet members of the body of Christ having made their calling and election sure will all die as a group, at the same time at the very end of the age. However, this does not preclude individual feet members from dying a month earlier, five months earlier, a year earlier, etc. The point is just that the very last members will die collectively. Therefore, an individual does not know whether he will die as part of the last group or earlier (assuming he is one of the feet members).

When the time comes when the apostate church will have once again reached its pentacle by means of Satan working in and through it with all power, signs and lying wonders, when the faithful most likely at that time held captive or imprison in order to silence their witness in proclaiming to the people the true nature and source of these lying wonders it is very much possible that they would assume that they would soon be taken possibly that very year, but precisely when, the very “hour” they could not know.

In other words, a year date might be known in advance, but not an hour or a day.

The suggestion is that a surprise will come on those Christians who are put to death at the very end of the age. Consider John the Baptist from the standpoint of a principle, not necessarily as a type. While in prison he had some doubts until Jesus reassured him. John wondered why he was there and if Jesus was really the Messiah. Subsequently, a party was going on, during which a request was made for John the Baptist’s head. John did not know the precise hour. He was probably sitting in a dungeon with no light when all of a sudden the prison keepers came, opened his cell, removed him, and took him to be beheaded. Similarly, certain individual feet members will experience surprise. Jesus warns us to be ready, but there will still be an element of suddenness and surprise.

Continued with next post.