And is this example speaking of the Raptures timing? And why is this our blessed hope? Yesterday’s post is important background for this post.

One more thing. In yesterday’s post we looked at Pastors sermon and at Jesus teaching on Noah relative to His coming, and we ask is it pre or post-Trib? Today I want you to think with me — Why was only Noah’s family saved? And just how does that relate to the Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus, who after all brought this example up to be somehow related to this future event that we all long to see — the Rapture.

Did Jesus know very well why He picked Noah and Lot? And now I will challenge you with the scriptures explaining the why; for it seems clear.

There are actually two likely reasons outlined in scripture itself, and I believe they both are revealing.

The first is fairly obvious. Jesus when He was teaching did nothing without reason. Noah, and Lot were actually referenced in Jesus teaching in Luke 17.

Luke 17:30  “It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. (NASB)

This verse was His concluding verse on these two examples — Noah and Lot. So what is the obvious thing about both of these events, which goes missing in this teaching?

First, in each case, with both Noah and Lot there is only one small family saved from the destruction sent upon all the rest, who remain for judgment. And Paul said of those of us, who will make up the bride:

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (KJV)

We were once in the wrath camp, but that has changed.

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (KJV)

Today we are one family, and in comparison to the 8 Billion in the world we are not a small family by estimates. But we are one family, Jew and Gentile in Christ. But when Jesus will appear this family will be so much smaller. People who stand for Christ and survive during the last days of Tribulation will not be many, but few. Jesus even said concerning this time of His coming:

8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 NASB

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (KJV)

Paul speaks of one new man made up of Jew and Gentile, and established in the covenant relationship with Israel.

I can’t sugarcoat what the scriptures reveal to us. Believing men and women will die for Christ during the Tribulation. Two thirds of Israel will be destroyed during the latter part of the Tribulation before Israel is saved (placed in Christ for there is no other way to be saved), and Christ will come. Some, perhaps many believers will fall away, because of the persecutions of Believers in Christ. But those who endure to the end will be saved.

Many tell us that there will be no Gentile believers left because Antichrist will destroy them all during this great Tribulation. But scripture reveals that there will definitely be Jewish believers left at Christ’s coming.

These are the facts presented in scripture. I did not present them God did. When Jesus returns during Armageddon, the family will be small, but it will be delivered. Jesus said when He came:

16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. John 10:16 NASB

One with the saints.

The Holy Spirit makes no mistakes when He is teaching us. If you think that the Rapture is taught in this Noah example; then you must apply all of the parts to its understanding.

Understanding is necessary for standing in these last days.

The resurrection has been the blessed hope for thousands, maybe millions of believers; and it will be the blessed hope for the believers of the coming Tribulation. Following the resurrection there will be the Rapture of we who remain. And we will be one flock, one family, one with the saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (NASB)

This is the truth concerning the resurrection and rapture. Following the Rapture there can be no resurrection of believers, but only of unbelievers.