With the advent of Advent on Sunday, we make the move in the lectionary from Year C to Year A. So, after journeying through Luke all year, this Sunday’s gospel reading comes from Matthew, Matt 24.36-44. This short section of text contains some important ideas and images, but we cannot make sense of them without locating it within the broader context of Jesus’ teaching in these two chapters (24 and 25).
But the central idea of interest in this passage Jesus’ teaching drawing a parallel between the time of his parousia, when he returns in royal presence to rule the earth, and the days of Noah. This parallel has popularly been interpreted as suggesting that the saved will be ‘taken away’, and others ‘left behind’—but this is not in fact what Jesus says!
Join James and Ian as they discuss the issues here. Full written discussion can be found in the earlier post here.
Hello Ian and James,
As usual, an enjoyable discussion to listen to.
I had not considered the implications of Noah – who were left and who were removed. Thank you.
Whilst at St Johns, one day when we were dealing with the “rapture”, Steve Travis encouraged us to look at Matthew 13:24-30 – the parable of the weeds.
vs 30 ” … Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’
So who is taken and who is left?
Also John 15:6 “Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned”.
Again, who is disposed of and who remains?
Keep up the great work.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Col 1:2)
Ross Flint
2486 West Tamar Hwy.,
Exeter
Tasmania 7275
03 6303 5278
[email protected]
Thanks. Some good connections there!