Are you gathered with the Eagles?
(Luke 17:30 & 37 of 28‑37)
(Written: June 2014)
Before considering this page,
please read "Forsake Gathering?" It is short and reflects the understanding of Heb 10:25 that will help with this material.
Knowing he would be murdered by his enemies, (Luke 12:50 of 49-53) but that he would be resurrected, (Psa 16:10 of 8-11; Psa 49:15; Acts 2:31-32) Jesus promised 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 righteous mankind has awaited since God's first promise of a deliverer some 6000 years ago, right after the first sin in the Garden. (Gen 3:15) And, it is the natural thing for those who love our Creator (people of goodwill; (Luke 2:8-14) defined righteous by their faith in the words of Christ) to look forward to. (Luke 21:28)

Gaining a better understanding of the Bible strengthens faith, and,  may  will help us put ourselves in line for eternal life by providing protection from those who "wish" to deceive us; (Mat 7:15; 2 Timothy 3:13) as well as from those who mean well but 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, he would return to a "gathering of eagles." (Luke 17:30 & 37) We want to help everyone understand what Jesus meant by saying he would return among, or where there was, a gathering of eagles; because that understanding illustrates the purpose of this website Bible study effort: To provide YOU the opportunity to make the wise choice to be "gathered with eagles" yourself. (Deu 30:19‑20) Please consider how:

Jesus said world conditions would get worse and worse nearing the time for his return: That the escalating tribulation would cause people to look back to bygone [better in their mind] days; they would look back to the days of Jesus first coming. He also said some individuals would be falsely claiming: "Here is the Christ," or, "there is the Christ." (Mat 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 actually 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 "all" 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 which prompted their question about where and/or when it would happen. Where would they need to go to gain the salvation he promised? They didn't understand, of course, but Jesus's answer wouldn't apply for 2000 years, and only "after their death." 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. Jesus answer thus applies to us during these last days. You should certainly know, then, what did Jesus mean by saying the eagles would be gathered around the body to feed?

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 and living [spiritually] on what he taught. 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) which 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 recorded (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) He is our link to God's Spirit and we take in Spirit by eating Jesus's words! (John 6:63) When Jesus was doing the preaching work, people sat at his feet to learn. (Mark 3:31-35) 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 and be soothed and nourished by 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 as "being gathered" in these last days. (Isaiah 40:29-31 ; Job 33:24-30) Their common hope in Christ "is" or forms the "gathering" of them. Our very lives depend on our feeding on the remains or body of 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 the words of Christ. 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 with God's Spirit, (John 6:63) and 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 for us simply because we believe... (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 personally spoke about the gathering of eagles are all long dead, of course, but the salvation of the righteous will be a reward to them [to them by means of the resurrection], as well as to us who are alive to see Crist's revelation. For our day in time, faith in truth affords a special reward of eternal life without ever dying, for those feeding on Christ during his return. (Job 33:24‑30; Psa 37:29) Please realize and understand: 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 and or Armageddon) indicate that is our day in time! What a wonderful day...

If you are to gather with Eagles, you should probably know and use God's Holy Name. It is יהוה and sounds like . 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 MWT) ...Bless יהוה, 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 יהוה is executing acts of righteousness And judicial decisions for all those being defrauded.
[This scripture seems to be referencing prophetically the then future eagles Jesus would later speak about as being gathered at his body in these last days. I am not aware of any special renewing of life in normal eagles.]
(Isaiah 40:29-31 MWT) "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 יהוה 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. Eagles have the ability to sense currents and thermals in the air that raise them and give effortless extended flight; far beyond their own power. That hope of power beyond our own is what the Bible holds out to all persons faithful to our Creator through faith in the words of His Christ. (John 11:25-26; 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 working to possess that knowledge brought by Christ is your deliverance: You are gathered through Christ's words as the only completely sincere group in existence: You are part of a pure group of Bible students (Christians) comprised of all those individuals trying to learn and follow what Jesus taught (men and women seeking to be obedient to him alone). (Rev 7:13‑14) That makes each and every one of them, and/or all of them as a group, 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. (Mal 3:26-4:3)

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."
And 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 or around what they learn; while being cautious they are not being misled and deceived by the doctrines of men; doctrines being put forth by the Churches and other religions claiming "their doctrines" are the words of Christ... (Mat 7:21‑23; Mat 15:9) If Religionists were actually teaching what Christ taught, they would understand they have no reason for any doctrine besides Jesus's words! (Mat 23:1-15) 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. (Amos 3:7; John 15:15; Heb 5:11-14) Early students of Christ Jesus were by divine providence called Christians as recorded at Acts 11:26. Following that pattern, we might refer to "our-own-self" individually as a "Christian" or possibly as "Christian Bible Student." Of those who join together in support of the teachings of Jesus, we might refer to them simply as "Bible Students." In light of Jesus's many warnings about false prophets, referring to others as Bible Students seems wise in recognition we are not the judges of who actually "are Christians" and who are not. (1 Cor 4:1‑5; Mat 7:15-20; Mat 24:23-28) That reflects we recognize  יהוה alone has that right to judgment; and, that has assigned the judgment of us all to Christ Jesus. (Acts 17:31) What a perfect arrangement! As we personally choose to call ourselves Christians, we show an understanding that we put ourselves in line for untold blessings; or, for judgment if we are not sincere "and/or" don't really know Christ. (Mal 3:16-4:3; Deu 30:19‑20; Luke 13:23-28) 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; (Luke 10:20 of 17-24) or that they are judge of who is unfaithful. (Jude 9) 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 true and pure 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 [perhaps 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 attempt to steal that right and requirement of judgment (our 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  avoid that like the plague. . .
(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 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; his words! If you are drawn by יהוה 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 refuse to 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, even as Jesus's hand picked group came to have Judas; we here give glory and recognition to the "one group" that does not have even one unrighteous person in their midst... Christians! (2 Cor 10:3-6) That righteous group is comprised of all those "individuals" being judged righteous by God, through their "personal" faith in Christ Jesus. They form an organization [organized from heaven only (Luke 10:20)] 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 must and does do 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) Obedience to Christ also results in followers who direct other people to Christ, rather than to some sect of men! (Mat 23:1-15) We must also recognize individuals who are in that Christian 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: The idea of 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! Build "your faith" in what "you know" Jesus said... The value of personal opinions we all have, well, those are God's judgments to make. ]
If these teachings of Christ seem at all hard, just remember: The simple solution lies in knowing 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; Rom 10:9-10) 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 then, are being judged by our own words. ( Mal 3:16-4:3; Mat 15:11 of 7-11) 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 things like:
Mat 9:20-22 CEV . . .A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. (21) She had said to herself, "If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well." (22) Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, "Don't worry! You are now well because of your faith." At that moment she was healed.
But then he would add:
"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 the words of Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38‑39) Faith can not exist apart from knowledge. (Rom 10:14; Romans 10:16-17) Know what your Bible teaches! Know what Jesus Christ is teaching... Read the four short books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John through from beginning to end many times over. Only by making yourself familiar with what Jesus said can you put on the mind of Christ (Rom 15:4‑6) and become his friend. (John 15:11-16) Then, talk about this truth! (Rom 10:9-10; Mal 3:16-4:3)

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