<p>24:40&nbsp;<i>Then two men shall be in the field. One shall be taken and one left</i>- The 'taking away' is in judgment / condemnation / destruction, just as the unbelieving world were 'taken away' (:39). The idea of not being 'left' is what the Olivet prophecy started with- not one stone would be &quot;left&quot; (s.w., 24:2). But there will not be the total destruction of all persons on the earth at this time. The unworthy responsible will be 'taken away'- see on :39&nbsp;<i>And took them all away</i>- and those not responsible to judgment will be &quot;left&quot;. The Greek has a wide range of possible meanings here- the word is translated 'forgiven', 'sent away', and perhaps there is here the hint that they will be preserved to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom. In this sense we must remember the Lord's definition that &quot;the field is the word&quot; (13:38). And earlier in the Olivet prophecy He has foreseen that the faithful who are called away will be &quot;in the field&quot; (:18). The parable of the prodigal son likewise features the two sons, both in a field (Lk. 15:15,25 s.w.). The prodigal leaves the field and goes to the Father. The older son refuses to ultimately leave the field and go in to the Father. Legalism and judgmentalism is therefore quite enough to warrant being 'taken away' to condemnation.&nbsp;</p><p>The present tense is used here. Therefore the RV gives &ldquo;One is taken, the other is left&rdquo;. Perhaps this was to heighten our sense that the essence of judgment is now; the call of the Gospel is a call to journey to judgment day. The same arresting use of the present tense in the Greek is to be found in :41 and :43- perhaps for the same reason.</p>