Scripture is rife with stories of would-be servants who never truly dedicated their lives to the Lord. The master himself once asked “...why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" During his ministry, Jesus made it a point to rightly divide between those who were true followers and those who only sought after him for physical bread. Nowhere is this separation made clearer than in the following verses where Jesus expounds on their fate.
In Matthew 24:40-42, the Master, speaking on the times of the end, makes these haunting statements: Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
We also read in Matthew 13:30, let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Many theologians view these passages as references to what has been termed the rapture, which the Apostle Paul describes as follows: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. -1 Thessalonians 4:17
The central tenets of the rapture is that a time will come when Christ will miraculously translate his true servants away from a world beset by calamity and into his waiting arms. A great many biblical scholars disagree on the timeline on a possible rapture or even if one will actually happen. However, as we study scripture we can’t help but see that there is a group of believers that are essentially left behind. Followers who profess the love for Christ, without the requisite deeds.
Throughout the bible we can see many instances of this. In the book of Acts we see Annanias and Saphira lying to the Apostle Peter about their acts of charity and being met with instant judgment. We can see a similar instance in Acts 19 where itinerant Jews tried to cast out evil spirits without “knowing” Jesus. And so we have to ask, though theologians point to a rapture taking place with thunderous noise, could there be a more subtle catching away happening right in our midst, in our bible studies, in our church groups, in our schools?
In John 15:4, the Master says, "Abide in me, and I in you."
Perhaps the Lord is looking to catch us away, not some time in the distant future when earthquakes and pestilences are the norm. But perhaps, he is looking to take us into his rapturous love today. In the midst of believers who don’t believe, in the midst of servants who don’t serve, in the midst of the wheat and tares, the Lord is right now making a separation. He is seeking those that can abide in him, even while the world abides in something else. So be raptured by his love today.