Which Of Us Will Make It?
Matthew 24:40-42
NIV
[40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
[42] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
From time to time some scriptures do “trouble” my mind one of them is what you’ve read. Two men working in a field, one taken the other left!
Two women engaged in a household chore, only for one to be taken, while the other was left behind. This is what we are told it shall be the Day the Lord returns.
The question is why is it so? Though we are not told what the reason(s) were we can speculate freely. In my opinion, it has to do simply with “incompatibility! “
The listed persons though engaged in similar activities yet they were not on good terms with each other. A situation similar to what Paul mentioned in a church!
Philippians 4
KJV
2+ I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
These two sisters of great repute in the local assembly were “ incompatible “ with each other. The Apostle Paul knowing that one Day “ one shall be taken and the other left” asked that they should be assisted to iron out their differences so as to be “ compatible “!
They were incompatible on earth which Incompatibility is unacceptable in Heaven! Here are two persons who never lived or strived to be at peace with themselves yet how can they live together peaceably in Heaven? Paul knew what would befall them.
Heaven is a place for the “compatibles” so if here on Earth we are “incompatible” with each other such a state of things will not be allowed in Heaven. One of us shall be disqualified!
This explains why one was taken and the other left behind! If I am not on speaking terms with you, how will that change should we be admitted into Heaven?
If we don’t get along with each other here on Earth, will that change when we enter Heaven? Will we not continue with it there? In Heaven of all places?
O please let’s face the facts and be truthful to ourselves! We can not pretend not to know that these exist! Let us help the “Euodias’” and Syntyches’ in our local assemblies to be compatible with each other. Else the Day comes when one will be taken and the other left!
Between the two mentioned in the above opening scriptures, God knows the guilty and the innocent. He will therefore take the innocent and leave the guilty. This is what the verses indicate.
May we remind ourselves of the warning and caution left to us by the Holy Spirit speaking through the Hebrew writer ;
Hebrews 12
KJV
14+ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
You may ask but how was this possible? Well, the Judge knew which of the two was innocent! The Judge knew the secrets of our hearts hence the decision to take one and leave the other
Read it;
1 Corinthians 4:5
NIV
[5] Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
Romans 2
KJV
16+ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
The truth of a matter may not be known to men ( even if known they may be biased ) so they may ignorantly ( or biased) judge and pronounce in your favor ; but not so with God. Men may judge in your favor, but not God.
This is what makes many believe that “ there will be surprises in Heaven!” The innocent here on Earth shall be pronounced guilty and the guilty, innocent on that Day!
For now, some may think they are “innocent” because men said so, but wait to the end!
Are you falsely accused, condemned, etc? Painful as it is, wait patiently; as Paul recommended to the brethren;
2 Thessalonians 1
KJV
7+ And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Yes, two shall be in one congregation, but one shall be taken the other left! Indeed many are called but few shall make it. It is not enough to cry, lord! Lord!
Beloved, do not be misled, deceived etc, by the applause and pronouncements of fallible men! Examine your own conscience and be your own judge. Repent and seek reconciliation before that Day comes suddenly on you“ when one shall be taken and the other left “.
Do all that is possible while you live and breathe so you’ll be the one to be taken! How sad it would be to be the one to be left after all these years in the church!
Read these ;
1 Peter 3:10-12
NIV
[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Romans 12
KJV
18+ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 14
KJV
19+ Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
2 John 1:8
NIV
[8] Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
Truths to share with you! A word to the wise!