“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all….
It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed….
I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
Luke 17:26-27, 30, 34-35 NIV
There is a common misconception and misinterpretation of Jesus’ words that has permeated the church for many decades, perhaps even centuries. Why is it that what Jesus clearly stated about His return has been turned upside down? He said, “As it was in the days of Noah…”
What happened in the days of Noah? Noah built a boat called an ark, at God’s command, to save his family and the animals when God flooded the earth.
What is an ark?
“An ark is primarily a vessel for preservation—a floating chest or box (Hebrew: tebah)—designed solely to float and protect its contents, lacking steering, navigation, or propulsion. In contrast, a boat is designed for navigation, steering, and transporting passengers or goods across water.” (Source: Google AI)
Noah called the animals and God brought all the species of animal and bird life, in pairs, into the ark. Noah and his family also took shelter in the ark. Before the flood came, God shut the door. Then He poured down rain snd opened up the aquifers until the whole earth was flooded and all living creatures, including humans, perished.
The illustration is clear…the unrighteous perished and the righteous were “left behind”…and yet, many believers still think that, when Jesus returns, they will be snatched away and the unbelieving population “left behind”. This is even the title of a popular movie depicting what will happen on the planet when all Christians mysteriously disappear.
This interpretation flies in the face of what Jesus said about the events leading up to and following His return to earth. Let’s examine Jesus’ illustration carefully. The purpose of the ark was to save Noah’s family from the flood. These people were to be the continuation of the human race and the founders of a new generation who would believe in and follow the Lord.
Now, let’s put what Jesus said about Noah side by side with what He predicted about His return. When the flood came, who was lost and who was “left behind”? The answer is obvious. The unbelieving, ungodly people perished in the flood. The family of Noah was preserved alive inside the ark. They became the ancestors of the earth’s population.
Now, Jesus said, “Just as…” What did He mean? He must have meant that ungodly people will perish and His people be “left behind” when He returns!
Why will Jesus return to the earth? Contrary to the popular notion that He is coming to fetch His people, to take them to heaven which, we think, is some place ”up there”, God’s plan was always for the earth and heaven to be one, to be His dwelling place with and among His people.
The earth and humanity were corrupted by sin. Jesus came to redeem believing people from sin and its consequences and to restore creation to its original purpose. Those who believe His word and enter His kingdom will be given perfect resurrection bodies, like the body of Jesus, at His coming, and be a part of His eternal plan to live with Him and share in His government in a unified heaven and earth.
At present, the earth is in a state of corruption but awaits the momentous event of His arrival…
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
Romans 8:19-21 NIV
This plan is clearly revealed in Scripture…not a fairy tale or a pipe dream but an eternal design which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit put into effect at the beginning and will complete at the end of time.
Let’s look at some Scriptures that will help us understand what will happen.
Predicted…
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”
Zechariah 14:9 NIV
Fulfilled…
“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 11:15 NIV
…and our part in this plan…
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:10 NIV
In John‘s final vision, he saw heaven joining with earth to become the dwelling place of God with His people.
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
Revelation 21:1-5 NIV
This has always been God’s plan. When mankind fell into sin through Adam, God had already set up His redemption plan to be put into effect at the perfect time, through Jesus. Then He sent His prophets to announce His plan to the world and to call people into His kingdom which He will complete when Jesus returns.
So, then, Jesus will not come back to take His people out of the earth to heaven. He will remove ungodly people from the earth. He will return to purge the earth from pollution by the fire of His word, and to restore heaven and earth as His dwelling place with His people.
This is our hope. This is our calling…to separate ourselves from the ungodly world system, to live under the yoke of Jesus, and to be faithful to what Jesus called us to do…to be witnesses to Him in our daily lives…until He returns.
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:14, 16-18 NIV
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
2 Peter 3:11-14 NIV
To be continued…