Parashat Noach "Noah"

Parashat Noach          "Noah" 
   
Genesis 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-55:5;  Matthew 3-4

Yeshua indicates that during the time just before His return, although the warnings will be sounded, most people will just carry on with life as usual. This is the thrust of Matthew 24:38 which says that just as in the days preceding the flood, so also will it be like the days preceding the return of the Messiah. In those days, even though Noah was building the ark and preaching righteousness, people were ignoring him. They were living their usual life-getting married, gathering food, etc. Noah's message was being ignored. So will it also be in the days preceding the return of Yeshua. The message of repentance will be preached, but most people will give little heed to it.

"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:37-42)

Yeshua describes His return as being accompanied by a judgment. Just as the flood came and judged the people of Noah's generation, so also will His return bring judgment. He goes on to speak of those who will be taken away in judgment and those who will be left behind.

Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. (Matthew 24:40-41)

These verses are often interpreted to mean that when Yeshua comes, the one taken is whisked away to meet him in the sky. The one left working in the field was not a believer. That is why he was left behind. The one left grinding at the mill was not a believer. That is why she was left behind.

However, the "taking away" which Yeshua speaks of is not the "rapture," as some people interpret. Rather, since it is compared to the flood taking away people in judgment, the "taking away" refers to people being taken in judgment. His disciples asked, "Where [will they be taken] Master?" He answered, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered." (Luke 17:37) Thus we should understand those "left behind" as the righteous, not those taken away. "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42)