Round the world

…in that night there shall be two in one bed;

the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Two women shall be grinding together;

the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Two men shall be in the field;

the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:34-36

When Jesus was teaching his disciples about the future, he described the day he would return as the triumphant Christ. Jesus taught that it is impossible to know the day or time of the return. But he did say that at the time of the return, some people would be “taken” and some “left”. We know that those of us who have believed will be taken to be with Christ. Others will be left on earth.

But what more can we learn from this description? Jesus described people doing three things: asleep in bed, grinding, and in the fields. Sleep is for the nighttime. Grinding is done first thing in the morning. The women go up on the rooftops when it is cool, and grind enough for the day’s meals. Field work is for the middle of the day, after breakfast is eaten. So how can the return of Christ take place at night, at dawn, and at noon? Only if the world is round.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Ps 103.12