Is Matthew 24:41 talking about a secret rapture?
In the Olivet Prophecy, Jesus Christ says "one will be taken and the other left." What does this mean? Is this end-time prophecy talking about a secret rapture and some being "left behind"?
Matthew 24:41 says, "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left." This verse links with a similar illustration in Matthew 24:40. A key to understanding the Bible is to examine a verse in its context. The full context begins in Matthew 24:36 with, "But of that day and hour [of Jesus Christ's second coming] no one knows." It ends in Matthew 24:44 with, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Clearly, the topic is preparedness for Christ's second coming.
In the immediate context, Christ makes plain the fact that no one knows the timing of His coming, not of His "near approach," as the rapture theory would suggest. His advice to Christians, in light of this fact, is that we need to be constantly alert, always in a state of spiritual preparedness—"Watch therefore" (Matthew 24:42). The suddenness of His coming will catch people who are not prepared off guard. His return will surprise some living or working side-by-side with Christians who are ready.
To reiterate, Christ said: “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:40-41). The rapture argument is that, without warning, some people will just vanish—being secretly raptured by Christ. Since this is compared to people living life as usual and not knowing they were on the brink of disaster, as in Noah’s day (verses 37-39), the argument is made that this disappearance of believers can’t be amid the hard times of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord.
In reality, this section deals with the separation between the righteous and the unrighteous when Christ returns. We see at His Second Coming that the saints will be instantly changed (Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Corinthians 15:50-53) and “taken” to meet Jesus in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The saints will then begin ruling upon the earth (Revelation 5:10; 20:4, 6) and those unconverted who are not “taken” will be given the opportunity for salvation at a later time.
All of this has nothing to do with a rapture.
