Jesus taught his first century followers he would come again at a future date to provide salvation to the righteous; as well as to execute judgment against the wicked. (Matthew 24:3; Micah 4:1‑5; Isaiah 2:3‑4; Isaiah 1:16‑20) That is the day we all await, and, it is the natural thing for righteous people (people defined righteous by their faith in Christ) to look forward to. (Luke 21:28) Gaining a better understanding of the Bible strengthens faith, and, may help us put ourselves in line for eternal life by giving protection from those who wish to deceive us; (Mat 7:15; 2 Timothy 3:13) or have themselves been deceived. (Matthew 7:21‑23) When asked by his disciples about when he would return, or more accurately where he would come back, Jesus mentioned, among other things, a "gathering of eagles." (Luke 17:30 & 37) We want to help everyone understand what Jesus meant by those words, because that understanding illustrates the purpose of this website Bible study effort: To provide you the opportunity to make the wise choice to "gather with eagles." (Deu 30:19‑20) Please consider:
Jesus said world conditions would get worse and worse nearing the time for his return: The escalating tribulation would cause people to look back to bygone [better] days; they would look back to the days of Jesus first coming. He also said at that time some individuals would be falsely claiming: "Here is the Christ," or, "there is the Christ." (Matthew 24:23) He told his followers not to believe such claims as he said his second coming would not be such that any man or woman could point to it. Jesus there said his second coming would be like lightening that lights up the sky in the east and shines clear to the west: The lightening strike not really visible, yet clearly evident none the less. (Matthew 24:27) No rolling thunder, just the brilliant flickers of illumination. Before his second coming, though, Jesus would be rejected and killed; and be resurrected. (Mark 8:31) Jesus went on to compare his second coming to the days of Noah and Lot, when the righteous were preserved alive while the wicked were destroyed. (Luke 17:26-37) When Jesus used the illustration of Noah and Lot, and told his listeners their salvation out of this system would be similar; it was that illustration prompting their question about where it would happen. Where would they need to go to gain the salvation he promised? Note Jesus answered in Luke 17, verses 30 and 37, there would be a "gathering of eagles" as part of the evidence identifying those being approved at his presence. What did Jesus mean by saying the eagles would be gathered around the body?
The Bible sometimes uses eating in a symbolic way: Jesus told his first century followers to eat his body and drink his blood. (Matthew 26:26-28) Clearly, he didn't intend them literally to eat him, but to strive to become like him, by consuming his knowledge. To further help us arrive at that meaning, Jesus said "his food" was for him to do the will of his father. (John 4:34) In similar fashion, "our food" is to learn from and follow Christ. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the manna, or bread of life, (John 6:48-51) that came down from heaven. (John 6:31-35) The Bible thus compares our feeding on Christ, to the Jews eating the literal manna that came down from heaven and fed them for forty years in the wilderness. (Exodus 16:14-18 & 31 ; John 6:28-33) The teachings of Jesus are life sustaining for us, just as the literal manna was for the ancient Jews. Jesus is also referred to as the word of God. (Revelation 19:11-14)The Bible, as God's word then, is the spiritual food coming down from heaven that we today must feed on. Since the central theme of the Bible includes our salvation through faith in Christ, studying the Bible [and more specifically the words of Christ (Gal 3:23‑25) in Matthew, Mark, Luke and
] is comparable to eating the body of Christ. Since Jesus gave his life to bring and give glory to what is recorded in the Bible, we eat the value of his life by consuming and being nourished by his words. (2 Sam 23:13‑17) When Jesus was doing the preaching work, people sat at his feet to learn. Since Jesus died and was resurrected to heaven, studying the record of what he taught is the closest we can come to gathering at his body. In other words: Our studying his words from the Bible is as close as we can get to sitting at Jesus feet and being taught by him personally. When Jesus taught people, he also healed their infirmities (Luke 6:17-31) and fed them physically, (John 6:5‑11) so they could be free of pain and hunger to think about what he taught them [what he fed them spiritually]. The Bible identified a time when physical healing would again accompany "feeding on his body" [exercising faith in Christ]. (John 11:25‑26) That is the hope of the eagles Jesus spoke of "being gathered." (Isaiah 40:29-31 ; Job 33:24-30) Their common hope in Christ "is" the "gathering" of them. Our very lives depend on our feeding on Christ in that way. (John 6:53‑58; John 6:66‑69)
In another Bible illustration using the idea of "feeding" on God's word, John was told in Revelation to take a little scroll and eat it up, so he might know and be able to share what was in that scroll. (Revelation 10:8‑11; compare Ezekiel 2:9‑3:6) The scriptures herein considered, then, help us understand why Jesus Christ would say of these last days: "Where the body is, the eagles will be gathered together." The eagles are those individuals feeding on Christ; who is the word of God. (Rev 19:11‑13 of 11‑16) The eagles are those expending their energies to learn what the Bible teaches; focusing on what Jesus is teaching. In answer to his disciples question of where their deliverance would occur, Jesus told them they would simply need to be feeding on the words he was speaking; which words God had recorded and protected. (Mat 17:5; Heb 1:1‑2) The words Jesus spoke are alive, in that they have the ability to judge us by means of our own conscience. (Hebrews 4:12 ; Romans 2:15-16 ; John 12:48 ; Luke 7:48-50) The eagles learn what Jesus taught, build faith they will have salvation through obedience to those teachings, and then, according to Jesus, it will become so. (Matthew 24:36-39 ; Matthew 8:13; Mat 9:27‑30; Mat 9:22; Eph 2:8; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:9; Luke 8:48 of 42‑48; John 7:37‑39; John 19:34) The men and women to whom Jesus spoke about the gathering of eagles are all long dead, of course, but the salvation of the righteous will be a reward to them, as well as to us [to them by means of the resurrection]. Faith in truth affords a special reward of eternal life without ever dying, however, for those feeding on Christ at his return. (Job 33:24‑30; Psa 37:29) Please realize: Many of those fortunate to be alive at Christ's return, and wise enough to be feeding on his word, will never die at all. (John 11:26; Psa 91) The Bible and world events (the escalating tribulation) indicate that is our day in time! What a wonderful day...
Because Jesus tied the "gathering of eagles" to his second coming, and to deliverance for the righteous; we examine the Bible to see anywhere else it mentions "eagle" in the context of deliverance. There are two occurrences well in advance of the birth of Jesus:
(Psalm 103:2-6 NWT) ...Bless Jehovah (), O my soul, And do not forget all his doings, 3 Him who is forgiving all your error, Who is healing all your maladies, 4 Who is reclaiming your life from the very pit, (Job 33:28‑30) Who is crowning you with loving-kindness and mercies, 5 Who is satisfying your lifetime with what is good; Your youth keeps renewing itself just like that of an eagle. 6 Jehovah ( יהוה ) is executing acts of righteousness And judicial decisions for all those being defrauded.
(Isaiah 40:29-31 NWT) "He is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound. 30 Boys will both tire out and grow weary, and young men themselves will without fail stumble, 31 but those who are hoping in Jehovah () will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out."
Please note both these scriptures tie eagles to a renewing of energy and of life; to a returning to our youth and strength beyond what we have ever known. That is the hope the Bible holds out to all persons faithful to our Creator. (Job 33:24-25) Being faithful simply means hearing and following God's only latter day command to listen to his son. (Mat 17:5; John 6:28‑29; John 12:48) We may well be are living in the days when it is happening, or soon will happen. (Mat 24:3‑31) It is very important to understand what the "gathering of eagles" means. The wisdom manifest in possessing that knowledge is your realization: Gathered through the words of Christ is a group of sincere Bible students (Christians) comprised of all those individuals trying to learn what Jesus taught (men and women seeking to be obedient to him alone). (Rev 7:13‑14) That makes them pure and unblemished in the sight of God. (Jude 24‑25; Eph 5:27) It is nearly too wonderful to know! The important question, though, is it the truth? That is the purpose of this website: To understand truth as the Bible defines it, and to help others to do the same. It is also designed to help YOU be able to share with others what YOU here learn from the Bible. The truth Jesus taught is more important than anything in life. (Matthew 13:44) Gather with eagles by becoming intimately familiar with Matthew, Mark, Luke. and John. Then, print out pages of this website to help others feed on what you have learned, enabling them to then feed on Christ for themselves.
Jesus himself said: (Joh 6:49-51 Bible in Basic English) Your fathers took the manna in the waste land--and they are dead. 50 The bread which comes from heaven is such bread that a man may take it for food and never see death. (John 11:25‑27) 51 I am the living bread which has come from heaven: if any man takes this bread for food he will have life for ever: and more than this, the bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world. As Jesus went on to say in Joh 6:63...the words which I have said to you are spirit and they are life.
Whether or not we have a perfect understanding of the phrase "a gathering of eagles," one thing is very clear from the Bible: The "true Christian organization" is made up of those "individuals" who strive to learn what Christ Jesus taught, and then, to pattern their lives after what they learn; while being cautious they are not being misled and deceived by the doctrines of men. (Mat 7:21‑23; Mat 15:9) What Jesus taught is thus so important, it should be considered our food: A necessity for life. It seems we might reasonably substitute "a gathering of Bible students" for "a gathering of eagles." Eagles have excellent vision off into the distance. (Job 39:27‑30) Spiritually speaking, so do those who have trained themselves with the Bible. Early students of Christ Jesus were by divine providence called Christians at Acts 11:26. Following that pattern, we should refer to ourselves individually as "Christians" or possibly as "Christian Bible Students." Of those who join together in support of the teachings of Jesus, we might refer to them simply as "Bible Students." That seems wise in recognition we are not the judges of who are "Christians" and who are not. (1 Cor 4:1‑5) We recognize יהוה alone has that right to judgment; and that has assigned the judgment to Christ Jesus. (Acts 17:31) As we personally choose to call ourselves Christians, we show an understanding that we put ourselves in line for untold blessings; or, for judgment. (Deu 30:19‑20) There seems no scriptural evidence that any man or group of men is holding the membership list of who are righteous. It would seem the height of judgment and arrogance (Romans 2:1-2 ~ *1) for any man or group to assert or imagine they maintain a membership comprising all the righteous persons in the earth; or that they are judge of who is unfaithful. All persons who sincerely strive to learn what Jesus taught, and then to follow him, by that act of obedience, place themselves in among God's organization of servants. (John 15:11‑16) That is the definition of being Christian. By looking into the mirror of the Bible, (James 1:23-24) we will either [maybe gradually] comply with the Bible's teachings, or we will judge ourselves unworthy of life by refusing Jesus's counsel. (John 12:48) To try and manipulate the scriptures to say what we want them to say, or what we think they ought to say, is judging ourselves unworthy of life. (Rev 22:18‑21 of 16‑21) To elevate written materials besides the Bible, or the teachings of any humans, as equal with Bible teachings, would likely judge us unworthy of life. (Mat 15:7‑9) We must simply learn what the Bible teaches, and then, in our own thoughts, we are being accused or even excused: We are being judged by our own conscience. (Romans 2:15) We must be careful we do not allow other men to steal that right and requirement of judgment (of ourselves only) from us. They have no right, and it will likely make us unacceptable to God if we seek to have the approval of imperfect men. (Mat 23:1‑15; Matthew 6:1‑5 of 1‑15) Having our own personal knowledge of truth is both our right and our responsibility. Bible knowledge is required as the basis for being obedient to our own conscience. That Godly obedience then defines us as "noble minded." Manifesting love for God and for others, based on our personal Bible knowledge, is what defines us as Christians. Bible knowledge is truth, and the truth in Christ's words is the food required for eternal life.
*1 As to joining any group of men and women in their judgment over the faith of others; God's word says you should refrain. . . (Romans 2:1-2) Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are, if you judge; for in the thing in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, inasmuch as you that judge practice the same things. 2 Now we know that the judgment of God is, in accord with truth, against those who practice such things.
(Matthew 7:24-27 NWT) "Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. 25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass. 26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house and it caved in, and its collapse was great."
(Acts 26:25-29 NWT) ...'I am uttering sayings of truth and of soundness of mind. 26 In reality, the king to whom I am speaking with freeness of speech well knows about these things; for I am persuaded that not one of these things escapes his notice, for this thing has not been done in a corner. 27 "Do you, King Agrippa believe the Prophets? I know you believe." 28 But Agrippa said to Paul: "In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian." 29 At this Paul said: "I could wish to God that whether in a short time or in a long time not only you but also all those who hear me today would become men such as I also am, with the exception of these bonds."'
How then, should this knowledge of the "gathering of eagles" Jesus mentioned impact you? The eagles of Jesus's illustration recognized feeding on the body of Christ meant their very lives. They did not gather to be accepted or approved by other eagles. They gathered to feed on, and be nourished by, the Body of Christ. If you are drawn to recognize that truth, (John 6:44) you should strive to be immersed in studying and understanding, and then in applying, God's word. Pay special attention to the words of God's son. (Mat 17:5) Give no consideration to those who gather to judge and to be judged by other men; nor to any judgment they render for or against you (because you don't cower before and follow them). (1 Peter 4:2 & 4; 1 Cor 4:1‑5) As Jesus said: "They are having their reward in full." If it is glory among men they desire, that is what they will have. That is all they will have... (Matthew 6:2; John 12:43)
This is important to understand: While most groups will have those in their midst who are not righteous, just as Jesus's hand picked group came to have Judas; we desire to give recognition to the one group that does not have even one unrighteous person in their midst... All those individuals being judged righteous by God through their personal faith in Christ Jesus form an organization (organized from heaven) that is pure and unblemished (made so through their individual faith in the covering sacrifice of Jesus). (Jude 24‑25) They have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb... (Rev 7:13‑17) We can not, however, judge or even know who other Christians are. God does that! (2 Chron 16:9; John 6:44; John 6:65) The best we can do is to have hope in those who appear to demonstrate they are putting faith in the word of God, by their obedience to Christ. Obedience results in their having and displaying love for others. (John 13:34‑35; 1 John 5:3) We must also recognize individuals who are in that group today, may not be tomorrow; and those who are not in today, may be tomorrow. (It would appear "to me" that, to some degree, we may vacillate in and out: As we sin by falling short, and then regain our footing by repenting and returning to being obedient to Christ. [Matthew 16:23 of 16:21‑23; Luke 17:4] Please note: Our "vacillation" is just my thought and opinion. I do not assert it to be a Bible teaching. My encouragement for your safety is that you listen to Christ; not to me!) All such things are God's judgments to make. If this seems at all hard, just remember: The simple solution lies in knowing the Bible truth (Mark 12:24) as summarized by Jesus Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. What we can and must do is learn what Christ taught, apply what we learn in our lives, and then, freely share that gift (of knowledge) with others. (John 17:17‑21; Romans 6:23) It really is just that simple! You must strive every day of your life to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Some will assert if you once express faith in Christ you will always be saved, no matter what you do. Jesus, however, said those who endure to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13 of 12‑14) As we proclaim what we choose to believe to be truth, we are presenting our view before the judgment seat of Christ, and are being judged by our own words. We must be careful: If what any person asserts as truth is acceptable to God, it should certainly be acceptable to all of us who love God. The Bible does not, however, teach the ransom covering of the Christ to be like a "once saved always saved" tarp thrown over us, to hide from God who we are and what ever bad we choose to do. The Bible teaches Jesus's protection to be more like his placing a loving hand over the stain of sin on our suit; as we stand before our Creator with Jesus to mediate for us. It very much does matter what we choose to do! (Deu 30:19‑20) We must make effort to follow the teachings of Jesus, and in that way to be viewed by God as righteous; in order to gain and then maintain Jesus's covering sacrifice. Again, this is a Bible teaching: Jesus himself said at Mark 13:13, "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Mark 13:8‑13; see also Matthew 24:13‑14) Jesus healed people, and even told them their sins were forgiven them, based on their faith. He would often say: "go your way and sin no more." (Matthew 9:2 & John 5:14) Of course, they were all imperfect and would sin again; but they should have been making every effort not to do so. Doing our best to be upright, by showing love of God and love for others, is our sacrifice acceptable to God. (Romans 12:1) It is a battle! (Romans 7:21‑25) It is a battle we can win, however; through our personal faith in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38‑39) Faith can not exist apart from knowledge. (Romans 10:16-17) Know what your Bible teaches! Know what Jesus Christ is teaching... Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John through from beginning to end, many times over. Put on the mind of Christ. (Rom 15:4‑6)
Use browser "Back Arrow" or "Alt+Left_Arrow" keys to previous page. | Home Page
] is comparable to eating the body of Christ. Since Jesus gave his life to bring and give glory to what is recorded in the Bible, we eat the value of his life by consuming and being nourished by his words. (2 Sam 23:13‑17) When Jesus was doing the preaching work, people sat at his feet to learn. Since Jesus died and was resurrected to heaven, studying the record of what he taught is the closest we can come to gathering at his body. In other words: Our studying his words from the Bible is as close as we can get to sitting at Jesus feet and being taught by him personally. When Jesus taught people, he also healed their infirmities (Luke 6:17-31) and fed them physically, (John 6:5‑11) so they could be free of pain and hunger to think about what he taught them [what he fed them spiritually]. The Bible identified a time when physical healing would again accompany "feeding on his body" [exercising faith in Christ]. (John 11:25‑26) That is the hope of the eagles Jesus spoke of "being gathered." (Isaiah 40:29-31 ; Job 33:24-30) Their common hope in Christ "is" the "gathering" of them. Our very lives depend on our feeding on Christ in that way. (John 6:53‑58; John 6:66‑69)
In another Bible illustration using the idea of "feeding" on God's word, John was told in Revelation to take a little scroll and eat it up, so he might know and be able to share what was in that scroll. (Revelation 10:8‑11; compare Ezekiel 2:9‑3:6) The scriptures herein considered, then, help us understand why Jesus Christ would say of these last days: "Where the body is, the eagles will be gathered together." The eagles are those individuals feeding on Christ; who is the word of God. (Rev 19:11‑13 of 11‑16) The eagles are those expending their energies to learn what the Bible teaches; focusing on what Jesus is teaching. In answer to his disciples question of where their deliverance would occur, Jesus told them they would simply need to be feeding on the words he was speaking; which words God had recorded and protected. (Mat 17:5; Heb 1:1‑2) The words Jesus spoke are alive, in that they have the ability to judge us by means of our own conscience. (Hebrews 4:12 ; Romans 2:15-16 ; John 12:48 ; Luke 7:48-50) The eagles learn what Jesus taught, build faith they will have salvation through obedience to those teachings, and then, according to Jesus, it will become so. (Matthew 24:36-39 ; Matthew 8:13; Mat 9:27‑30; Mat 9:22; Eph 2:8; Mark 10:52; Luke 7:50; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; Acts 14:9; Luke 8:48 of 42‑48; John 7:37‑39; John 19:34) The men and women to whom Jesus spoke about the gathering of eagles are all long dead, of course, but the salvation of the righteous will be a reward to them, as well as to us [to them by means of the resurrection]. Faith in truth affords a special reward of eternal life without ever dying, however, for those feeding on Christ at his return. (Job 33:24‑30; Psa 37:29) Please realize: Many of those fortunate to be alive at Christ's return, and wise enough to be feeding on his word, will never die at all. (John 11:26; Psa 91) The Bible and world events (the escalating tribulation) indicate that is our day in time! What a wonderful day...
Because Jesus tied the "gathering of eagles" to his second coming, and to deliverance for the righteous; we examine the Bible to see anywhere else it mentions "eagle" in the context of deliverance. There are two occurrences well in advance of the birth of Jesus:
(Psalm 103:2-6 NWT) ...Bless Jehovah (), O my soul, And do not forget all his doings, 3 Him who is forgiving all your error, Who is healing all your maladies, 4 Who is reclaiming your life from the very pit, (Job 33:28‑30) Who is crowning you with loving-kindness and mercies, 5 Who is satisfying your lifetime with what is good; Your youth keeps renewing itself just like that of an eagle. 6 Jehovah ( יהוה ) is executing acts of righteousness And judicial decisions for all those being defrauded.
(Isaiah 40:29-31 NWT) "He is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound. 30 Boys will both tire out and grow weary, and young men themselves will without fail stumble, 31 but those who are hoping in Jehovah () will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out."
Please note both these scriptures tie eagles to a renewing of energy and of life; to a returning to our youth and strength beyond what we have ever known. That is the hope the Bible holds out to all persons faithful to our Creator. (Job 33:24-25) Being faithful simply means hearing and following God's only latter day command to listen to his son. (Mat 17:5; John 6:28‑29; John 12:48) We