I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”
Luke 17:34-35 (ESV)
Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come (Lk. 17:20). He responded to them that the coming of the kingdom was not something they could physically observe, but that it was already in their midst (Lk. 17:20-21).
But to his disciples, Jesus expressed that there was coming a time when the kingdom of God would be more fully realized. But that coming day is not one that you can mark on your calendar. It is going to come suddenly. Just like the judgment that came in the days of Noah and of Lot, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man (Lk. 17:26-30).
It is common among many believers to “read the signs of the times” and see that the return of Jesus is approaching. But Jesus tells us in this passage that the time of his return is unknown and will be sudden. We will not be able to forecast that it is near. Instead, we should always live as if it could be at any time–because it could be.
An Unexpected Return
Jesus gave two additional examples to illustrate the suddenness and unexpected nature of his return. Two will be sleeping on one bed. One will be taken and the other left. Two will be grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other left. They were engaged in everyday activities when the Lord returned.
This passage does not tell us if the ones taken are taken for purposes of judgment or to be with the Lord. But since Noah and Lot in the earlier examples were taken and did not experience God’s judgment, it is most likely that the ones taken here are escaping God’s judgment on a sinful world.
There is much we do not know about the Lord’s return and the final realization of his kingdom. But we can know that Jesus is returning. That he will deliver his chosen ones from the judgment accompanying his return. And his return for us will be sudden and unexpected. So always be ready!
