I always had the understanding (or misunderstanding) that on the day Jesus returns, that disciples would be taken up into heaven first. However, Matthew 13:30 (the parable of the weeds), reads: "Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: 'First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' " Could you please shed some light on the subject? -- Darin Vasquez (Los Angeles)
That is right, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 indicates disciples living at the time of Jesus' return, as well as those who have died, will be taken up. As for the parable, it is seldom right to press the details of a parable. The image of the harvest seems to represent judgment, and the parable implies that the righteous and the wicked alike will be dealt with at the same time. This is consistent with the day of resurrection to judgment of John 5.
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