Intro
I was reading Luke chapter 17 today which sparked a new revelation in me. Jesus was speaking with His disciples about remembering Lot’s wife who turned around to gaze one more time at what she was leaving behind, after they had been told to flee without looking back, and she turned into a pillar of salt. Jesus then went on to explain that “whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it” (v. 33). Now, v. 33 can be taken literally which is how I took it when I was younger. But it can also be taken to mean that if we seek to “save” our reputation, our material belongings, anything that we could define as our “life” we will be in danger of losing it. You’re probably wondering what all this has to do with dead bodies and vultures. You’ll find out, just keep reading.
Self-Pleasure
Throughout my life, and especially now, I have seen many leave what they believed in to pursue self-pleasure. It has been very hard to know/understand the truth of God and see how others are slowly (some quickly) destroying their lives. They were fine when God was convenient for them but as soon as He got in the way of what they wanted, He was thrown out along with everything else they had first believed in, stood for, and even loved. They are trying to save their lives, blind to (some even aware of) what is really happening to them because of it. Some even have begun pursuing false religions/philosophies to try to justify their actions, thinking that if they can just convince themselves that they are ok living life the way they are, they will be ok.
The Reality Behind Everyone’s “Realities”
You see, reality is not what most people think it is. Reality is what really is. The reality is that God does exist. Jesus did come and die for you and me. He was resurrected from the dead. He is still working today. There really are angels, I’ve seen them. There really are demons, I’ve heard and felt them. There really is a Heaven and a Hell. And no, there is no “in-between” place, your decision on where you will go is made in your life here and is final. Yes, you must believe in/accept/confess Jesus Christ in order to be saved (Romans 10:9). No, there was/is no other way: even Jesus asked God to take the “other” way if there was one. There wasn’t/isn’t/and will never be another way. The reality is Jesus loves you and He wants everything that is good for you. If God wanted to send everyone to Hell, He wouldn’t have sent Jesus in the first place to save whoever was willing to follow Him. I realize that many will say that this is “just” the reality I’ve created for myself. But, sorry, it is reality in and of itself regardless of whether I/you/they believe it.
Far-Fetched Fairytale?
The world makes the truth seem like some far-fetched fairytale. And guess what’s behind the “world” that is against God? The enemy of God…which we can also say are demons or the “vultures” Jesus was speaking of. I’m going to go on a tangent for a second. Bear with me. Ok, put yourselves in my place for a moment. I believe in and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. I am thoroughly convinced that Heaven and Hell exist and that what the Bible says is true. I know that I know that I know that this is true. I love people. Love wants the best for others. I want to awaken others to the reality of realities that it all is NO far-fetched fairytale! I am not here to condemn anyone. I love everyone. And I want to make people understand and see what is really there. If I hated people I wouldn’t waste my time talking about all this, trust me. Now, please read on with that understanding. =)
Dead Bodies and Vultures
A body is referred to as the whole of something in Scripture, whether it be an individual person, the Body of Christ (those who believe in and follow Christ), or another group. In the last few verses of Luke 17, Jesus was speaking of pursuing life by denying one’s past life…Lot’s wife was supposed to deny her past and embrace a future elsewhere, Jesus advises everyone to lose their past lives (lives of sin) and embrace the future life God has promised to those who believe and follow Jesus. Jesus then prophesies His second coming, saying, “on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left” (vs. 34-36). The disciples ask Jesus “where” this will happen in verse 37 which is followed by Jesus’ answer about the vultures:
“Where, Lord?” they asked.
He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”
I, for one, thought about how random this appeared but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Those who believe and follow Jesus will be be taken because they are “alive” as many places in the Bible explain that we are made “alive in Christ”. Outside of Him, there is death and darkness. Those who will be left will be those who are, in a manner of speaking, “dead”. They have no life of Christ in them because they killed it when they chose to pursue their own selfish pleasures. I believe this not only applies to that time but to right now. There are a lot of dead men walking in the world. Blind to the light, taking pleasure in their own wants and desires, not awakened to the reality of everyone’s realities.
Vultures Devour
The people who pursue their own selfish desires over God’s pure/good desires (for them and others to be saved) will fall deeper and deeper into sin and blindness. The only way out is for them to wake up and see the truth. We are dead if we think we are fine on our own, that we don’t need God, etc. These vultures gather around the dead and eat and eat until there is nothing left. Those who have turned away from God will slowly lose their morals, true love, “life”, etc. The vultures will take everything they are allowed to take. Now, Jesus is not speaking of literal vultures, He is trying to get across to us the severity of what happens when we throw away our lives by trying to save them.
We Act Like Sleeping Beauty
Jesus loves you so much. I cannot emphasize this enough. I know He loves me as much as I can comprehend and that His love for me is beyond what I can comprehend. He wants to awaken as many as are willing. He is trying to use people to awaken each other. We act like we are Sleeping Beauty but when we are awakened by the Prince of Peace (one of the names for God in Scripture), we find out that we were actually dead and are now alive! This is one of the core reasons I have been called to be a missionary and singer. I want to spread the truth, helping Jesus bring others into His safe arms. I gave up my life when I met Him. But, in reality, I really truly gained a much better life even now. And I would not trade it for anything. Trust me, being a Christian is not easy and I do not expect it to ever be. I know that God has blessed me purely by His grace and I am so thankful for the good things I have experienced. I count the bad things I’ve faced as something that will be turned around eventually and I will be honored.
My Experience With the Effects of Vultures
I have been blatantly mocked, people have spread very bad rumors about me, people have made fun of me and trashed what I stand for. I’ve been seen as a loser, as a misperceived “goody-two-shoes”, as someone who needs to come “back to reality”, etc. I’ve been torn down, mistreated, verbally abused. This is to name a few things. Yes, all of this has been very hurtful and I’ve cried more times than I can count, but I am strong in that weakness because I know God has seen it all and has stood by me. He knows the truth about my character, He knows my history and what I will become and do in the future. He has wonderful things planned and He has become my strength. He loves me and has helped me become who I am. I am honored to be His daughter, friend, lover, and follower.
God is the Restorer But Has to Be Sought Out
I can testify that God does love us, that He wants the best for us, and that He is true to everything He has said. I want all of you reading this to know that I consider Him worth every tear, every scar, every moment sacrificed. I wouldn’t want God to change anything about Him…because I know from everything in me that He is perfect to everyone. Those that say horrible things about God and think badly of Him, who accuse Him and mock Him and reject Him, they simply do not understand who God is…and He still loves them just as much as before any word left their mouth, any thought entered their mind against Him. I hope that, if you do not follow God, you will seek Him with all of your heart because He has promised that if you seek Him with all of your heart, you will find Him.
Let me end on some advice and encouragement. Don’t let the vultures take what you have, because they are not like God, they take everything they can from you and seek out your destruction. God gives more back to you than you could ever give to Him. You don’t lose a thing, except for what is harmful to you, when you give yourself to God. God can restore to you what the vultures have taken. He did it for me. Please listen to this song, it is a beautiful song with an amazing message for you: You Are More by Tenth Avenue North
Love you all dearly!