There is an interesting passage in Luke 17. In it, the day of the coming of the Son of man in judgment on Jerusalem (70 AD) is likened to the days of Noah and the days of Lot.

“I thought this passage referred to Christ’s second coming.”

Oh no! That’s a common misunderstanding. Look at vv.31, 32. It is a time when believers are told to head for the hills—get out of town quickly! We know from the Olivet Discourse that this had to do with the destruction of Jerusalem (See Matthew 24:15-22). Why would Christians be fleeing if it were the second coming? That makes no sense at all!

“Oh! Well what about those taken in the rapture?”

What rapture?

“You know—when believers are taken and others are left behind.”

Sorry to disillusion you. But there’s nothing about a rapture in the passage. The circumstances are that some are destroyed as in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, and others are not.

“Of course.”

Who is destroyed?—the one who is there when the flood comes and the one who is there when the fire falls. The others were not “taken” away—they fled, remembering Lot’s wife. Unbelievers were “taken” away by the flood (see vv. 34, 36)! The action of the flood and the fire and brimstone is upon the one that is destroyed as it is upon the one who is “taken.” The one who is not taken has no action taken against him—he’s fleeing to Pella! There is a direct correspondence between the historical example and the predicted event. The people who flee survive; those who are taken are taken for judgment!

‘But . . . “

Listen to how it ends—“Where the corpse it, there will the vultures be gathered.” What does that have to do with?

“Not sure.”

The corrupt city, which in 70 AD was but a rotting corpse, was destroyed by the Roman soldiers. What else? Who else? Jesus in that great event was “revealed” as the Messiah of Daniel’s prophecies (Chs. 2, 7, 9).

Think—don’t just accept what you’re told!