Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 1/15/2009

Question
where can i find in revelations or the new testament does GOD say he shall withdraw his spirit. I have read it before but this was some years ago. and I need to know it now. I know it was during the end times. and those who did not make it when two was on the roof top and two in the field, one took and one left.

Answer
Dear Dizella,

Thank you for your question about the end times. To my knowledge, there is no text in the Bible that speaks of God withdrawing His Spirit during the end times. The following text, in the days of Noah, shows us that there can be circumstances beyond which God can no longer tolerate the existence of men on the earth:

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: . . .

I think I can safely say that, since God never changes, this scenario could happen again. The earth has come to a point when man has become so full of sinful pleasures that God no longer has a place in their lives. Some outwardly disallow his existence through atheism and evolution, while others are so wrapped up in themselves, their families, and their own amusement, that they in effect say, “God? I’m enjoying myself right here. Why do I need Him?”

In either case—and in thousands of others—men have nearly come to the place that God’s Spirit will no longer strive with them. When that will be, we have not been told in Scripture. However, it will be sometime before Jesus comes in the clouds.

The text to which you refer about taken and left, is an interesting one:

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

You’ll notice that Jesus referred to the days of Noah, and that it would be the same when He came the second time. We found that God’s Spirit withdrew when the 120 years of Noah came to an end. It appears that when Noah entered the Ark, the Spirit was withdrawn, and no one except those in the Ark were saved. Of all that were outside the ark, not one survived.

So, says Jesus, will it be in the coming of the Son of man. Two will be in the “field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” The whole point of these statements is that we need to watch—“be ready” (vs. 44)—because we don’t know when this will happen. After the flood those who were taken had drowned in the flood, and those who were left alive, were in the Ark.

So, when Jesus comes, those who  had refused to listen to the Spirit of God, will be taken away by the plagues, and the brightness of Christ’s coming—which will destroy the wicked (2 Thess 2:8)—and those who are left will be drawn up to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess. 4:16, 17).

So it’s very important to maintain a daily saving relationship with the Lord so that we can be always ready to meet Him when He comes. Are you ready? If not, then I plead with you to get ready this very moment by consciously surrendering yourself to Jesus, and stay surrendered at every moment. The Bible will show you how, so spend much time in the Word.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
Petty@hyperusa.com
Check out my website www.PettPress.com where I’ve posted 18 books, 40 Bible study guides, and much more.