I have been meaning to comment on this subject about the “Left Behind” series. Is it better to be left behind or not to be left behind? The “Left Behind” series places their entire message on two verses, Matt 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36.
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.
Matt 24:40-41I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.
Luke 17:34-36
In these verses, Jesus said that if two men were in a field one would be taken and the other would be left. The trouble here is, Jesus never said if the believer would be taken or left. The “left behind camp” assumes that the believer would be taken and the non-believer would be left in the field.
This would all be well and fine accept for Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. He clarifies who would stay and how would be left behind.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thess 4:14-17
Here, Paul speaks of Christ’s return. When he returns, those believers who fell asleep in Christ will be raised up. But more importantly, those who are alive and remain will be caught up together and raised into the clouds with those who were called from their slumber. We will all be with the Lord forever.
I want to be left behind!