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"There the Eagles Will Gather" - The Sign of the Coming Kingdom

This encouraging post will be a deep dive study into a classic verse in Luke 17, which may have been misunderstood and could be an allusion to the Revelation woman, 144,000, and the true remnant. Jesse also offers advice on breaking the chains of drugs. Lord, please bless Jesse for his continuous contributions in Jesus's name.

Introduction - Symbolism of Vultures and Eagles

To start this post, I am not saying what I write here is 100% true, and I am just thinking. I am just coming to conclusions based on research. I ask readers to use the Holy Spirit to discern what I am writing in Jesus's name! It is similar to my study of the green/pale horse, where I ended up believing that green is a better term for the horse, and I believe the traditional use of "pale" takes away from the powerful symbolism of "green."

It is important that we always go back to original translations when trying to determine the meaning of something. Unfortunately, modern versions of the Bible have been accused of using faulty words for deception. While this could be a whole post in itself, it is important to go back to original translations so that we ourselves are not deceived. This is, sadly, a time of great deception. So, let's begin.

Originally this post was going to be about vultures and death, but then it transformed to a writing about eagles and life.

In my evening Bible study, I came across this verse in Luke 17:37 -

And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

I do understand the classical interpretation of this is the word "vulture" and I am not against this interpretation. There are many, many studies already done on this, and if you want the traditional interpretation, here is a link to the vulture concept. However, this blog isn't meant to go over the same thing that people have been studying for hundreds of years. It is to open our eyes to wisdom and knowledge in the end times, and it might not be what we expect. Honestly, this post ends up being very encouraging, so read the whole thing.

So, the word vulture is used in the Bible specifically in places like Leviticus. It is nowhere in the New Testament, unless you say "vultures" in Luke 17:37, and again, I am not against that.

If you look up Luke 17:37 in the concordance, however, it says "where the eagles gather." Is it vulture or eagle, and does this change the meaning of the passage? Should we care?

Since I am more of a Bible literalist, I like to go with what the Bible originally says, and while I do not mind that the word vultures is used, a vulture and eagle have completely different symbolism, and we have to decide what Jesus Christ was really trying to say. Again, the symbolism of a vulture contrasts greatly from the symbolism of an eagle:

Many claim vultures makes more sense in the context, so let's examine the context. In Luke 17, Jesus Christ is talking about the days of Noah and the end times, and here are some of the verses preceding the classic "vultures" verse:

  • 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

First, Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God will not be in a way we fully understand or expect. He is also talking to the Pharisees, who usually do not clearly understand spiritual matters.

In the next verses, he is talking about the days of Noah and Lot's wife looking back. Then he says:

  • 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”10 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?"

They ask, "Where?"

Again, we have the classic interpretation, that these things will take place where the vultures gather, which is usually associated with corpses.

Or, we can just look at the verse without adding anything to it:

So, the flat out words here are body and eagle - not corpse and vulture.

If we look at this verse originally, it says something like,

"Where the body is, so the eagle will be" or something along those lines.

Well, interestingly, on one more note, there is a 0 right after 4864, which can mean "send her away.":

So, the verse could be read as:

  • "Where the body is, to send her away, the eagles will be gathered" or
  • "Where the body is, the eagles will be gathered to send her away."

Who is her?

Again, this concordance says it is possible this is supposed to be in the original interpretation. We will come back to "her" in a moment.

Let's go back to the word eagle. Let's stick with the use of eagle instead of vulture for this post. So, I looked for use of G105 (eagle) in other contexts, and interestingly, they are both in Revelation - nowhere else.

Remember, Jesus is talking about the end times, so then it makes sense to look to Revelation for answers:

In Revelation 4, the throne room of God is being described, and there are four beasts, and one of them is like a flying eagle. This doesn't seem like a mistake. The fourth beast was like a flying eagle, and perhaps this fourth beast is important in interpreting Luke 17.

Then, we see the Revelation 12 woman, "being given two wings of a great eagle" to be sent away...to send her away...to a place where she is nourished.

We will go back to this in a moment.

Before we do, let us examine the symbolism of "the eagle" from this article:

The Eagle

The fourth living creature depicted in the Book of Revelation is the majestic and awe-inspiring eagle. In Revelation 4:7, the apostle John describes the eagle-like creature as having the appearance of an eagle, symbolizing swiftness, keen vision, and transcendence. The imagery of the eagle holds profound significance within biblical and cultural contexts, evoking themes of soaring majesty, divine insight, and spiritual elevation.

The eagle has long been revered as a symbol of strength, freedom, and divine presence. Throughout the pages of Scripture, the eagle is used as a powerful metaphor to represent various aspects of God's character and His redemptive work. The eagle's ability to soar to great heights and its keen vision have made it a timeless symbol of spiritual insight, divine protection, and unwavering strength.

Within the context of the heavenly vision in Revelation, the eagle symbolizes the transcendent nature of God and His unwavering vigilance over creation. The eagle's association with swift flight and keen vision reflects God's omnipresence, His watchful care, and His ability to swiftly come to the aid of His people. The eagle's presence among the four living creatures serves as a potent reminder of God's transcendence, His swift intervention on behalf of His people, and His unwavering protection in the face of adversity.

Furthermore, the eagle is intricately linked to the concept of spiritual renewal and transformation. In the poetic imagery of the Psalms, the eagle is used to depict the renewing and empowering work of God in the lives of believers. The eagle's ability to soar above the storms and to renew its strength serves as a powerful symbol of God's transformative work in the lives of those who place their trust in Him. The eagle's presence among the four living creatures embodies the profound truth of spiritual renewal, divine empowerment, and the promise of mounting up with wings like eagles, running and not growing weary, walking and not fainting (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).

In the intricate tapestry of biblical imagery, the eagle stands as a timeless symbol of God's transcendence, His unwavering protection, and His transformative power. Its presence among the four living creatures encapsulates the profound truth of God's swift intervention, His watchful care, and His promise of renewal and empowerment for those who place their trust in Him. The eagle's majestic presence in the heavenly vision inspires awe and reverence, inviting contemplation of God's transcendent majesty and His unwavering presence in the lives of His people.

To reiterate, if you read the full context of Luke 17, I can understand why writers chose vultures - to an extent. The common theme I see in my research is they chose it to go along better with the word corpse; however, the word is more blatantly body. So, they are adding some of their own meaning, and it's up to readers to decide. I won't be offended if people prefer the vulture/corpse interpretation.

However, I feel God is very specific in His language in the Bible, and if He wanted to say vulture, He would have said vulture. There are specific uses of birds all throughout the Bible, so why would eagle be written if it was meant to be vulture. Again, it's up to readers to discern and decide.

So, let's just say that the word is eagle for the purpose of this post. If that is true, that completely changes the connotation of the passage.

Going back to the context, right before Jesus talks about the body and the eagle, he talks about "one being taken, one being left", which is usually one of the verses that classically refers to the rapture:

So, let's review some key information:

  • 1) We cannot for certain say that Jesus was talking about vultures and corpses. It's best to go to the original text when interpreting Scripture, and eagle and body are originally used.
  • 2) There seems to be a possible "feminine" interpretation or allusion in the verse - "send her away."
  • 3) The preceding context about all of this is the Kingdom of God and a possible "rapture-like" scenario - a positive thing.
  • 4) Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, who can really never understand the things of the Spirit. Jesus is clearly speaking in a metaphor, and we are allowed to ask the Holy Spirit for help with interpretation.

The Holy Spirit is telling me that this verse may have been classically misunderstood. What if it isn't a depressing verse but a hopeful one?

What if the sign of the eagle gathering together, to help the woman, is a sign that the Kingdom of God is near?

Who is the woman? Is she one woman or a symbol? It this the Revelation 12 woman flying away on the wings of an eagle? Pray about this.

Now, if I were to think of the symbolism of an eagle gathering together to rescue "a woman", I think of the 144,000 and the true remnant coming together as an eagle. They come together as one body, to support the Daughter of Zion, and to establish the Kingdom of God in the end times.

The eagle is actually a symbol of hope in the end times. It is a metaphor for the establishment of the true Kingdom of God that is gathering despite all of the evil amongst us.

Perhaps the 144,000 and true remnant can be represented by an eagle, which is led by some woman - The Daughter Zion or The Revelation 12 Woman...or some other understanding that I am sure I will write about eventually. : ) Perhaps this gathering of the eagle (and the woman) is the sign of the Coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ:

Of course, this is just the beginning of this study, and I believe God is giving me pieces of the puzzle regarding this information.

Either way, I believe it is a message of hope to begin the day.

I know this blog has some harsh truths that can be difficult to work through.

However, if we keep our eyes on Christ, we can become like an eagle in the midst of our enemies. I heard something really cool about eagles the other day, and maybe this will help readers.

Eagles are often tormented by crows, but instead of engaging with them, they just fly higher.

If those collectively reading this are like the Eagle, then we need to just fly higher.

We are being tormented right now, don't you understand? It doesn't matter if the big events have not taken place yet - we have been in spiritual duress for several years, and it is amplifying.

When we are attacked by the demons (crows), we just need to fly higher. When we are tormented by these evil beings, we just need to fly higher.

The eagle is the perfect symbolism for the gathering of the true remnant of Jesus Christ in the end times. Don't pay attention to the crows or give into their tactics. Do not retaliate. Just fly higher!

So, today, remember -

Just Fly Higher - Above Your Enemies

Now, let us go to a reader contribution about breaking the chains of addiction - one way to fly higher.

How To Be freed From Chains of Drugs - Jesse from Finland

Do you finally want to be freed? As a former addict, I know how hard it is to try and get clean. No matter the substance - it really chains your soul. You might even think that this is going to be part of the for rest of your life. But that is a lie! Jesus Christ has power to break every possible bind and chain that you might have in your life! That includes drugs.

  • Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)
  • The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
  • John 8:31-36 (NIV)
  • 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replid, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Those are just few instances where it is stated clearly that Jesus Christ can and will broke those chains if you believe and follow him. It might not be the easiest thing to do in you life, but I guarantee that it will be worth it.

How to start? First, start praying. There are immense power in prayers. That is our weapon against everything unholy in this word. I cannot emphasize enough how important prayer is in your path to freedom but also in general. And you do not have to do it alone, if you know someone you could ask him/her too to pray for you. [Witness 2 can pray for people if they ask.] But still, that does not mean that you don't have to pray. It is your job to do, your choice just like the choice to do drugs. Once again, everything comes down to free will and choices you make. Pray to God, ask help, cry to him, pour your heart to him, thank him because the help he has promised to give to you. He will hear and help you.

Fasting. I was not aware how important fasting really is until recently. While you fast and pray, it really helps you to get closer to Jesus. I don't know exactly why, but God might reveal it to me later. I just know that fasting really helps. And it is pretty easy, for instance I had loss of appetite as one of my withdrawal symptoms. But don't go crazy and stop eating altogether! You could fast a few hours in the morning if you feel really sick, pray and read scripture during that time and then try to eat something. Of course you could fast longer, depending on your situation and health, just don't cause any harm to yourself while doing it. The goal is be freed from drugs, not early grave.

The withdrawal symptoms are temporary. It might feel like they last forever, but that is just a lie Satan tries to feed you so you would not give up on drugs. And you can pray to help with those too. I myself was amazed how Jesus really helped me with all the symptoms. When I started to have breaks from smoking weed, the physical symptoms would last around a week or so. But after I started to pray help from God, those symptoms become much more watered down and the worst part of them lasted only about a few days. Like I said, there is immense power in prayers. It is your direct line to the Lord Almighty, who is more than willing to hear you out. Now I know that some substances cause even life threatening symptoms while you are trying to stop using, opioids are one example of that. That's why you should be really careful and try to lower your intake slowly over time. Try to find the lowest possible dosage you can manage. Then after a week, lower it once again. After a week, do it again. Continue this path until finally you stop using altogether. It is long and painful progress, but you are not alone. [Witness 2: tapering worked for me with alcohol.]

How long will this take? I can't tell, it depends on person. Someone might be freed instantly, someone else might have to battle for months or even longer. That is between you and God, he has his reasons for your situation too. But the most important thing is that you don't give up! If you truly want to be freed, that is gonna take dedication and willpower from you. Maybe even more than anything else on your life so far. But there is hope, it is not too late even for you, no matter what Satan tries to make you believe. There might be people in your life who will help you, but if not, Christ is still here with you and will help you get through this. You are not alone with your problems

There might be relapses. I understand, I experienced my fare share of them too. But the most important thing there is not no lose faith or abandon the process so far. When you stumble, do not stay on fire and feel bad for yourself. Christ is still reaching his hand to you, so stand up with him and keep on trying. [Witness 2: Relapse is the path to recovery!]

Then there is also one possibility, but I do not recommend it to everyone. You can make promise or vow to God. I did it, I made promise that I would stop using weed (and all other drugs bit later) if Jesus would help me and grant me the strength I was lacking. But you must do it with honest heart. If you make promise to God and then broke it willingly, He will not be pleased. As much as He is loving and forgiving, He is just and righteous. Do not make promise you are not intended to keep.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4 (NIV) 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

After your battle with the drugs, you are more than likely to feel empty, hollow and emotionless. That is part of the healing process. It just shows how much damage drug abuse caused to your soul. But do not worry, that too is not a permanent state. Pray to Jesus Christ and he will heal you. Like with the freedom from drug use, that could too take time or for someone else, it might be instant. Read scripture, pray and try to focus on small things that bring you joy. Just don't replace drug usage with some other form of sin. Slowly, day after day you start to notice how even more things bring you joy, you can be happy and feel a wide range of pure emotions while you are sober. There is no need for the artificial happiness that drugs provide, the joy from Christ is truly something amazing! After some time you notice how you have started to smile again, you laugh and generally feel much more happier and lighter. Someone might not even notice that change for a while and someone else might feel that instantly. That just depends on what God has planned and what he tries to teach you. No matter the circumstances or person, each one is given the same promise; You will be freed if you accept Christ and start to carry your cross. Like I said, it is not easy task but Christ is there to help you.

Then I'd also like to share Psalm 51. That has helped very much. You could too use it as a prayer to God if you have no idea how to pray. After that, keep on praying. It does not need to sound like preachers prayer, just talk to Jesus with your prayers. He already knows what you want and need, the important thing is to pray.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Jesus Christ, I pray that you will help everyone to break the chains of drugs and addiction. I'll pray that your Holy Fire would burn away every unholy spirit on readers temple that tempt them to use drugs. Let your Holy Spirit enter those temples and start to heal. I'll pray that you would renew all suppressed feelings and emotions readers might think they lost forever. Christ I pray that these people could be example how nothing is impossible to you and they could be living examples to glorify you and your work.

Conclusion - Prayer

Thank you, Jesse, for your word on breaking free from addiction. As a former addict, I can relate. I never thought I could be free from alcohol. It completely controlled me and it was my idol. Readers, please see my testimony for more on overcoming my previous addiction.

One thing I learned about Jesus Christ is just to ask. For example, when I am in a bad mood, I just say, "Jesus, please take away my bad mood", and within a few minutes, it is gone.

Jesse is right that we can ask Him for a lot of things, especially if these things have to do with us being righteous.

Many spend time in prayer asking about money or stuff, but they don't ask about their souls. When you pray, ask for your soul needs first. Those are the most important, and they can influence the world around you. Let me start a prayer today with my soul needs:

Prayer of Witness 2

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please help my soul today. Lord, help me be joyful and happy in Jesus's holy name. Jesus, remove any sadness or sorrow in me. Help me be strong and be protected as I go about my day.

Jesus, forgive me where I fall short. Uplift me like an eagle. Help me soar high above my enemies and tormentors in Jesus's name.

Jesus, let me smile today. Let me feel energized and healthy. Please remove any pains from my body right now in your holy name.

I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over my mind, body, soul, and DNA.

I ask you guide me in all of my footsteps today and that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

Lord, help my soul. Where there are holes in my spiritual armor, patch them up. Help me increase in faith, and help me believe fully in your power.

Help me be powerful in you today in Jesus's name.

Have a great day in the name of Jesus Christ,

- Witness 2