This last part of Matthew 24 describes the last phase, just before the end of the aeon (:3). Israel has been restored and the Messiah is their King. Judgments are now coming upon the world of nations. The dawn of the Kingdom, the thousand years of Satan’s bondage, is at hand. But it is not known exactly when this will be. For many it will come suddenly, as in the days of Noah (:37).
the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah
In those days, judgment came unexpectedly for most of humanity, because they did not reckon with God and did not believe Noah. In the parallel section in Luke’s Gospel, the history of the days of Lot is also mentioned as an example. For Sodom and Gomorrah were also judged, and they were not aware of anything until the judgment came (Luke 17:28-29).
40 Then there will be two in the field, one will be taken and one will be left;
41 two women are grinding in the mill, one is taken, and one is left.
then
These verses are often misunderstood. One also reads here that it is about the snatching away. But this is not about the ecclesia, the body of Christ, because it is taken away before the 1260 days of the great tribulation (1 Thess.5:1-4 and :9; Rev.12:5-6). And this event takes place after the great tribulation (:29) and even after the period that follows with judgments against the nations (Rev.6:17). Then there will be two in the field…
taken away
The standard translations all say here: one will be taken, the other left behind. One then explains what will be taken as positive and what was left as negative.
But it’s the exact opposite. One is taken away, in the sense of being taken away by judgment. The same word (paralambano, G3880), is used when Jesus is taken away to be crucified (Matt.27:27; John 19:16).
left
The one who is left is left on earth and there the Kingdom begins. This word (aphiemi, G863) is also translated as forgive Luke 7:47; Romans 4:7). They are the ones who endured to the end, were saved (:13) and entered the Kingdom.
These verses are a further explanation of why it will be like the days of Noah. Then too, the unbelievers were taken away from the earth and the believers were left.
the consummation of the aeon
Earlier in Matthew we find a number of parables. In the parable of the tares (Matt. 13:24-30), the Lord tells a story about someone who sows good seed in his field. But at night his enemy comes and sows tares among the wheat. When the seed has germinated, the owner’s servants ask if they should pull up the weeds. The owner of the field replies that they should not do this, but that both should grow until the harvest. Then the wheat and the tares will be separated. A few verses later, the disciples ask the Lord to explain this parable.
Matthew 13
36 (…) And his disciples came unto him, and said, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares, which are the sons of the evil one;
39 and the enemy who sows it is the Devil; and the harvest, which is the consummation of the eon; and the reapers are the messengers.
40 Just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so will it be in the consummation of the eon.
41 The Son of Man will send his messengers, and they will gather out of his kingdom all snares, and those who practice lawlessness,
42 And they shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom.
the end of the aeon
Twice in this parable we find the expression: the consummation of the aeon. This is represented by the harvest. When the harvest time comes, the Lord will send His messengers and gather the unbelievers out of His Kingdom and take them away. Just as in the parable the tares are gathered and burned with fire. However, on the other hand, the believers (>righteous) then inherit the Kingdom. They will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom.
Also a few verses later we find a parable about the end of the aeon.
47 And again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a dragnet, which is cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind.
48 And when it is full, they come to the seashore, and sit down, and gather the good into vessels, and cast out the rotten.
49 So shall it be in the consummation of the eon. The messengers will go forth, and they will separate the wicked from among the righteous,
50 And they shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The evil and the righteous are opposed to each other here. The righteous are the believers, the evil are the disbelievers. At the end of the aeon the unrighteous will be taken away and the believers will enter the Kingdom.