Solving Jesus’ Riddle

My last post presented a biblical riddle that, hopefully, we could solve together. I solicited your comments and opinions, but, sadly, only received one comment. I was hoping for a lively discussion. So, let me demonstrate how sound hermeneutics can shed light on difficult passages. (See the article “Hermeneutics” linked to below). Lets focus on Luke’s account, as it is more detailed. After Jesus famously stated that at His coming one would be taken and one would be left in a variety of situations (field, workplace, in bed), the Pharisees asked Him; “Where Lord ? So He said to them ‘wherever the body is, there the eagles will gather’ ” (Luke 17:37)

Jesus’ answer is given to the question “where?”. Using free bible software such as ESword (which you all should be accustomed to) reveals in a couple clicks that the Greek word “pou” translated “where” simply means what place or what locality. Next we need to determine who is taken to this locality. It is obviously not the ones left, as they remain in a broad variety of areas, but the ones taken. So Jesus indicated he will take individuals from a wide range of places and situations to a specific location. Where is that location ? Jesus answered; “where ever the body(corpses) is” – a gathering place for carrion eaters like eagles. Now, lets check end time scripture that describe where corpses might be found. Ezekiel says this when detailing the final battle before Messiah’s return; “Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field….Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal….A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood.” (Ezekiel 39:17) Revelation says this; “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘come and gather together for the supper of the great God that you may eat the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men…and the flesh of all men, free, slave, small and great…..And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19: 17-18, 21) Isaiah says this; “Then they shall bring all your brethren…. to My holy mountain, Jerusalem, says the Lord….And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against me….” (Isaiah 66:20, 24). From these scriptures it becomes apparent that the end time locality where the corpses are and the carrion eating birds (eagles) gather together is Jerusalem and its surrounding mountains. It seems clear to me that Jesus is simply saying that he is going to gather His elect to himself in Jerusalem where He will alight on the Mount of Olives. This will happen immediately after He crushes the armies of the world gathered together against Him leaving the area littered with corpses. His “riddle” fits perfectly with other end-time scriptures. This also should clear up any wonderment about who are taken and who are left. This is usually a point of controversy. What’s clear to me is that there are three groups of people indicated by Jesus in His response to the Pharisees. First, the enemies of Christ (wicked) – corpses, second, those taken -Christians (those who are His elect), and third, those in the world who remain.

As we come closer to Jesus’ return, all of the scriptures that deal with end-times will come into sharp focus. But we all need to set apart significant study time so the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us into all truth.