Who is being “taken” in Matthew 24:40-41?
In sensus plenior, when there are two things, they are two aspects of the same thing. This is derived from the meaning of vav as and, which both join and separates two objects to clarify their commonality.
Two men in the field are one man who has a spirit and flesh (two parts). His spirit is taken to immediately be in the presence of the Lord, and his body is left behind (dead).
Two women grinding oat at the mill are one woman. Her spirit is taken while her body is left behind.
Rather than being redundant sayings, as is the case with futuristic interpretations of eschatology, the sayings are notably different.
Determining the usage of 'male' and 'female' as metaphor:
- 1. Christ is male, the bride is female. Paul says that marriage represents Christ and the church (the bride). [1]
- 2. The male understands, the female does not understand [2]
Grinding, boiling, thrashing, etc. are all metaphor for judgement.
Those who see clearly, (male) are working in the field. They are harvesting in God's field. Those who do not see clearly (female) are grinding oats. They are those who are not 'understanding'.
Both die in this world and have body separated from Spirit and go immediately to the presence of the Lord.