Taken away

The second reason that Matthew 24:40-41 refers to what will happen at the Second Coming of Christ is that the phrase “will be taken” in verse 40 refers to “death.” Again, we will look at the preceding verses (v. 37-39).

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:37-39 (NASB)

We should mention that the phrase “the coming of the Son of Man” occurs two times in these three verses. Therefore, Jesus is continuing to describe events that would occur at the Second Coming of Christ.

Now notice that Jesus says that at “the coming of the Son of Man” people will be living for pleasure just as the people did at the time of Noah. Then when Noah entered the ark, the people were “unaware” or surprised. But they understood when the flood came. This reveals that Noah had been warning them of coming judgment and the flood. When the flood came, they were swept away by the water and drowned resulting in their deaths.

Carefully notice Jesus’ words in verse 39. He said those who were not inside the ark were taken away.  Noah and his family remained alive or were “left,” but everyone else was “taken away” or died. The flood “took them all away.” Then Jesus said,

Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Matthew 24:40-41 (NASB)

Now Jesus uses the same illustration of being taken away and being left. That is, those who are taken away will die and those who are left will remain and live. This is not a description of the rapture.