Remember Lot’s Wife

By Ed Hindson

Q. Jesus said in Luke 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Does this mean some people will be left behind at the Rapture because they looked back towards the Earth?

A. Luke 17:22-37 is speaking not to the Church anticipating the Rapture, but to the Jews living in Jerusalem at the time of the Tribulation. It is actually a parallel passage to Matthew 24:15-21. Jesus is warning the Jews that, when the time of the Antichrist’s persecution comes, they should flee the city of Jerusalem quickly. Anyone who does not will likely face immediate death, just as Lot’s wife did back in Genesis Chapter 19.

The context of this question came because the writer felt that, based on this Scripture, if anyone looks down or back, rather than at the Lord, at the time of the Rapture, he or she will be left behind to go through the Tribulation. Actually, the Rapture will occur too quickly to focus our eyes anywhere. After all, the Bible describes it as being “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Nevertheless, we do not feel that the position of one’s head or eyes is as crucial as the attitude of one’s heart.

“… for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart,” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Bible sets no more requirements down for the Rapture than it does for salvation itself: belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, totally apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). But that belief must be sincere to the point that our relationship with Christ is the most important thing in our lives and we look forward to His return above all our other “appointments” in this world. So we will be “looking” for Him to come, not necessarily with our heads or eyes, but definitely with our hearts.

“If ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” (Colossians 3:1-2).

If an individual is so attached to this world that he or she is left behind at the Rapture, it is proof that such a person was never truly saved to begin with. But we do believe that every truly born again Christian who is alive at the time of the Rapture will participate in that event.

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