Dear Still Learning,
A wise Christian once said, "All fantasicim [false teaching] comes from the isolation of verses.
I have posted around the 1800 mark the ENTiRETy of that portion of scripture. Also, we are to test 'scripture against scripture'. For example 'one will be taken, the other left' mirrors verses in Zechariah 14:2 a prophecy of the end times, and if you look at Matthe 24:38-40 in its context "the taken" are those who were drowned in the flood--this was NOT a good thing. How important it is to read ALL of SCRIPTURE in its context AND to compare Scripture to Scripture. Repeatedly in both the old and new testament we are warned about what is to come. (compare prophecies in both the Old and New Testament)
The text that immediately follows the one you quoted...."
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
FOR THEN < how important every word of scripture is--every 'jot and tittle'
Note it say YOU. It is speaking to the BELIEVER.
9 “
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13
but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[
a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25
See, I have told you ahead of time.
There are two important messages here: For us to be watching for the signs God has given us. If there is a hurricane coming won't the ones who are prepared be more prepared than those who are ignorant of it? When there is a forest fire, who is more likely to escape, but those who are warned. Also, the most important thing to remember is what Christ called us to do. To love the Lord our God , to love others as ourself, especially those of the faith and To 'Go' and share the gospel. I think we should be praying always for God to take of the lens of doctrine we have been taught and not try to make scripture fit our long held beliefs.