ONE TAKEN, ANOTHER LEFT by Ray Prinzing

“I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” (Luke 17:34-36)

The positive and the negative are both unfolding in this hour. With a positive application we find that though there shall be “two resting in the same place same church home, same doctrinal blanket covering them, yet one is taken out, called forth unto Him without the Camp, to bear His reproach, being conformed to His own image, while the other one is left to sleep on yet awhile. Two are grinding at the mill, grinding out the programs and ceremonies of the flesh, when suddenly the eyes of one are opened, they see the emptiness of it all, and are led forth by the Spirit to lay hold of pure reality, and yet the other one is left to grind on in blind obedience to the religious institutional systems. Two are out in the field, labouring hard, and God lays hold of one, sets him aside for spiritual development, while the other is left to toil on building the kingdoms of men.

It appears that the negative application is more literal and natural in fulfillment, while the positive application as presented is a spiritual fulfillment. Of the natural we read that when the earth is to be reaped, God gathers “first the tares.” (Matt.13:30). Binding them in bundles to be burned. Then He gathers His wheat into His garner.

In the positive, spiritual application, His remnant is now being drawn out first – firstfruits of the new creation order. Thus, there is depth on depth of meaning in the Scriptures, as the Spirit quickens our understanding. One is taken, the other is left. What is the deciding factor as to who is to be called out, to move into a new realm with God, while the other remains in that spirit of slumber and blindness? Is this not an election of God? A divine choosing according to His grace! O, take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. ‘Draw me, we will run after Thee.” (Song of Solomon 1:4).