Introduction : In olden times, when we went to the rice field or orchard or to the sweet potato field in the country, we could easily see a scarecrow. There were many sorts of scarecrows. There was one that wore a felt hat or western style upper clothes, and there was one that wore a coat of hemp cloth or a straw hat. There was even a maiden scarecrow that wore a beautiful Korean skirt and jacket. Anyhow, the scarecrow, regardless of the formation, was made and placed to scare and to keep out such animals ranging from birds, magpies, and crows, to wild animals and wild boar, so that they would not harm the grain. Birds or wild animals back then were a bit foolish and were easily deceived. However, the birds or wild animals of today have become clever, as if they have been educated in modern style education, and they are not deceived anymore. They are able to discern between the virtual image and the real image. We who believe in Jesus must discern that the virtual image has no reality, and the real image has reality. The virtual image is like a scarecrow, and the real image is like a real man. The virtual image is false and vain. The real image is true and everlasting.


1. The virtual image and the real image of our identity (2 Co 5:17).
    1) The old has gone. The life that we have inherited from Adam is the virtual image that
        has gone.
        (1) Sin is a virtual image to the believer (Rev 3:18).
        (2) Demonic and secular temptation is a virtual image (1 Jn 2:17).
        (3) Disease is also a virtual image (Ex 15:26; Mt 8:17).
        (4) The curse is a virtual image (Gal 3:9).
        (5) Even death is a virtual image (1 Jn 2:25). When animals think that a scarecrow is
             real, they run away scared. If we, too, believe the virtual image that has gone is
             reality, we become the servants of virtual reality (Jn 8:32).
    2) Look! The new has come! We are newly created through Jesus Christ.
        (1) The real image is that we have been forgiven and have become righteous
             (Ro 3:23,24).
        (2) The real image is that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit and have become
             sanctified (Jn 14:16).
        (3) The real image is that we have been healed and have become healthy (Is 53:4).
        (4) The real image is that we have been freed from the curse and have received the
             blessing of Abraham (Gal 3:13).
        (5) The real image is that we have obtained resurrection, everlasting life, and the
             kingdom of heaven (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Co 15:51,52).
    3) We have received a new identity. We have been born again.
        (1) Think about the new identity (Eph 3:20).
        (2) Look for the new identity (Jn 1:12,13).
        (3) Believe the new identity (Col 3:10).
        (4) Confess the new identity (Eph 1:3-5).

2. The virtual image and the real image of our position.
    1) A general social position is a virtual image, but it can pass away in an instant
         (Jas 4:14; 1 Pe 1:24).
        (1) Family background.
        (2) Academic background.
        (3) Success in life and accomplishments.
             These kinds of positions pass by with time and wind (Ecc 1:2-4).
        (4) Position (rank).
        (5) Fame.
    2) The position that is everlasting is the real image (1 Pe 2:9).
        (1) A chosen people (1 Pe 1:2).
        (2) A royal priesthood (Ro 5:17).
        (3) A holy nation (Mt 3:2; Col 1:13).
        (4) A people belonging to God (1 Jn 5:19,20).

3. The virtual image and the real image in the end times.
    1) Utopia, the virtual image of the human world.
        (1) The enlightenment of the 18th century filled humankind with thoughts of hope
             (Jer 17:9).
             They believed that humankind could make this world a paradise through the
             development of reason and science.
        (2) Since then, through the most irrational and self-destructive World
             War I and World War II, millions of lives were destroyed, cities became ashes, and
             science has become the tool of war.
             Since World War II, due to the cold war between the east and the west, and
             domestic conflicts and power games, hope has turned to cynicism (Ps 127:1,2).
    2) The real image of the future.
        (1) Jesus´ Second Coming and the advent of the millennium kingdom
             (1 Th 4:16,17; Rev 20:6).
        (2) Creation of the new heaven, the new earth, and the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1,2).         (3) The final judgment (Rev 20:11-12,15; Isa 66:24).
        (4) The new heaven, the new earth, and the everlasting world (Rev 21:23,24; 22:5).


Conclusion: Autumn has come. The mountains and streams have turned red, adorned with the brilliancy of leaves that are dying. The freshness and fullness of summer has now passed away, just like a dream. At this moment, we, too, feel the nihility of life deeply in our bones. What passes by and disappears is all virtual image. It is like the one who relies on a scarecrow. It is fake; it is not a real person. However, the real image is in Jesus. This is an everlasting, real image that does not become weak, disappear, or die. Though all things become worn and disappear, only we who are in Jesus will live eternally and be renewed day by day. Anything that is outside of Jesus is a vain and virtual image.