The Grand Finale…

In a previous article, we looked at the rapture and whether it is a secret or not. However, Luke 17:37 ends with a rather bizarre statement. The disciples after hearing what is to take place ask Jesus where all these things will happen. Jesus’ answer seems strange, and unrelated to the discussion that went on before, but again we need to examine it closely because there is a profound truth here.

Luke says where the body is there the eagles will gather.

Now the translation in Luke is not quite clear or so it may seem, so let’s go, line upon line, precept upon precept. Matthew 24:28 reads “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”, this gives us some insight.

Instead of a body, it says carcass. Now in both cases, the Hebrew word used can be translated as carcass but Luke chose to use body. Now the beauty in this is that Matthew tells us it’s a carcass so we know it’s something dead but what? A dog, a cat, a cow? Luke amplifies it by saying a body so when we look at both texts together we can now say with confidence that it refers to dead human bodies.

Because it’s a carcass we can also state with confidence that when the bible says eagles it is referring to vultures because eagles are not known primarily to be scavengers. So the text is understood to be saying where the dead bodies are the vultures will gather.

One thing we know about vultures is they bring finality to whatever is dead, they bring down the final curtains, and that is something to consider.

What is death equated to in the bible,

Deuteronomy 30:15

‘See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;’

Romans 8:6

‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’

1 Corinthians 15:21, 22

‘For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’

1 Corinthians 15:56

‘The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.’

Romans 6:23

‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’

Death is synonymous with sin so the presence of the dead represents sin or the presence of sin. Since we established earlier that vultures bring finality to everything, they ( the vultures) represent the judgment of God upon sin ( or death ). In the same way, vultures will consume the carcass it is God after Christ returns, that will destroy sin and sinners. Thus death is swallowed up in victory…

After the discourse between Christ and his disciples, about the two classes of people and what their rewards will be, they ask him where will this take place and his response is, that where sin is there the destruction of sin and sinners will be. That place is Earth.

It means therefore that no one leaves earth before judgment and the rewards to be given. The dispense of justice takes place right here. It is, therefore, safe to conclude without a doubt that there will be no secret rapture, no one will be leaving this planet before Christ comes.

This event is visible and audible

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

This event will be loud…

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

This event will be visible to all…

In closing, I want to leave with you,

2Peter 3:10, 11

‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness’.

My brothers and sisters, I encourage you to watch and pray hold on a little longer,

Hebrews 10:35–39,

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

God bless, continue to study God’s word and his Spirit will continue to lead and guide, God

Blessings to you all.