SCRIPTURE: Genesis 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. [Genesis 7:22-23]
Question, who was “left behind” on the earth and who was “taken away”?
Only Noah and those with him were left behind on the earth, while sinful humanity and every living thing not on the ark were wiped or taken away from the earth.
Of course this does not take away sin – for sinful nature survived in the heart of Noah and his family – but it does make a lasting impact.
All disasters remind us of the wages of sin, the brokenness of this world, and of our desperate need for God’s help and mercy.
From this we learn that God’s patience only lasts so long, and eventually He will unleash His judgment.
We had better take God seriously now while we can, because the day is coming…

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [Matthew 24:37-41]
Question, who was “left behind” on the earth and who was “taken away”?
Most times when this quote is used, it is said that believers are “taken away” from the earth (rapture) while sinners are “left behind”.
But God does not take away the believers, He takes away the sinners – as it was in the day of Noah.
This passage does not speak of a rapture, but of God’s impending judgment, when His patience finally runs out and He comes to separate the righteous from the wicked.
Only those who humbly submit to God will be left behind on the earth, while those who reject God will be “wiped away” from the earth.
God does not do this lightly, or heartlessly, He has given us plenty of warning.
Everything that happens in this world – including disasters like floods and tsunamis and earthquakes and hurricanes – are God’s way of showing us the seriousness of sin, the brokenness of this world, and our need for God’s mercy and help.
if we want to survive this brokenness, if we want to make it through the flood of God’s judgment, then like Noah we need to repent and trust in the Lord.
Those who do will be left behind, that is they will enjoy life forever with God in His new (purged) creation.

I said it once, I will say it again, this passage from Matthew does not refer to the rapture (where believers are taken away while sinners are left behind).
That’s not how it was in the days of Noah, that’s not how it will be when Jesus comes.

PRAYER:
Lord, we were made for life on this planet – in perfect fellowship with You and ourselves and each other. I want to be “left behind” with You in Your purged creation!