Section 8
believers is revealed. It will occur secretly and unexpectedly, at night to some believers who are sleeping and in the daytime to some sisters grinding at home and to some brothers working in the field. They are chosen because they have overcome the stupefying effect of this age.
In Luke 14:25-35 the Savior charges us to pay the price insofar as we are able that we may follow Him. In Luke 16:1-13 He charges us to overcome mammon so that we may serve Him prudently as a faithful steward. Here in Luke 17:22-37 He charges us to overcome the stupefy ing effect of self-indulgent living in this age so that we may be raptured into the enjoyment of His parousia (presence, coming). These charges are all related to overcoming in the believers' practical living.
In both 17:34 and 35 the Lord says that "the one will be taken." The Greek word for "taken" literally means "taken with." This word denotes the rapture of the overcomers, who do not pre serve their soul life by loving the worldly things of this age. Those who are taken in this way will be raptured before the great tribulation (Matt. 24:21), which will be a severe trial upon the whole inhabited earth (Rev. 3:10). To be thus raptured is to be kept out of the hour of trial