John 11:25, John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:5-10, Luke 24:13-31, John 20:24-29, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Acts 9:3-6

Summary: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the faith and the greatest event in the story of civilization. The proofs from Scripture and the lives changed by it cannot be ignored or denied.

Note: These verses and the order of events are adapted from THE OPEN BIBLE (KJV) (c) 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN.

When the Lord Jesus told Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25), He proved it by bringing His friend and her brother back from the dead, doing so in public and demonstrating that He was who He claimed to be – God Incarnate. Jesus had also raised others from the dead as a demonstration of His power and authority (Matthew 9:23-26; Mark 5:35-43; Luke 7:11-17, 8:49-56). Scripture tells of others who had been brought back to life by the power of God, both in the Old as well as the New Testament (1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:35; 13:21; Matthew 27:52; Acts 9:40).

It is, however, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus that became the doctrine of every apostle, the faith of every authentic follower of Christ, the source of the martyr’s courage, the theme of all true preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-5), and the power behind every evangelist who devotes himself to the work of the LORD and the fruit thereof.

The historian and physician, Luke, the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts, wrote that there were many “infallible proofs” of His resurrection (Acts 1:3), given by eyewitnesses and written by the prophets, kings, and statesmen of Israel’s past found in the Old Testament.

1) The Resurrection was foretold in the psalms of David (Psalms 16:10, 11; Acts 13:34, 35).

2) The Resurrection is the foundation of the Gospel (Isaiah 53:10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 4).

3) The Resurrection was announced by Jesus Himself (Mark 9:9-10; John 2:19-22).

4) The Resurrection was proclaimed by the apostles (Acts 2:32, 3:15).

5) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was supplied by the power of the entirety of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). John 10:18, Acts 2:24, and Romans 8:11 are some of the verses which attest to this occurring.

The eyewitnesses of the Resurrection were numerous and accounted for within the Gospels and the letters to the churches written by the apostles and the half-brothers of the LORD, James and Jude.

1) Mary Magdalene was the first of His followers to see Him after His resurrection (John 20:11-18).

2) He appeared to the women who were returning to the tomb with the intent of anointing the body with burial spices (Matthew 28:5-10).

3) He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34).

4) He appeared to the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31).

5) He appeared to His disciples, but Thomas was not present (Luke 24:36-43).

6) He again appeared to His disciples, with Thomas present, who uttered the great words of faith and belief (John 20: 24-29).

7) He was seen by the seven apostles who had gone fishing on the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23).

8) He appeared to over five hundred brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6). According to Mosaic Law, it only took two or more witnesses to validate either guilt or innocence (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:5; 1 Timothy 5:19).

9) He was seen by His half-brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7). The Gospels record that none of His brothers or sisters believed in Him until after He was raised from the dead (John 7:5).

10) He was seen again by the eleven apostles (Judas had killed himself beforehand) – Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:3-12.

11) He was seen by the first martyr, Stephen (Acts 7:55).

12) He revealed Himself to Paul on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8).

What about sources outside of the Bible? Do they verify what has been written about the life and work of Jesus, in particular His death and resurrection? In his book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek writes the following:

“Gary Habermas has completed the most comprehensive investigation to date on what scholars believe about the Resurrection. Habermas collected more than 1,400 of the most critically scholarly works on the Resurrection written from 1975 to 2003. In his book, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope, Habermas reports that virtually all scholars from across the theological spectrum – from ultra-liberals to Bible-thumping conservatives – agree that the following points concerning Jesus and Christianity are actual historical facts:

1) Jesus died by Roman crucifixion.

2) He was buried, most likely in a private tomb.

3) Soon afterward, the disciples were discouraged, bereaved, and despondent, having lost hope.

4) Jesus’ tomb was found empty shortly after His internment.

5) The disciples had experiences that they believed were actual appearances of the risen Jesus.

6) Due to these experiences, the disciples’ lives were thoroughly transformed, willing to even die for their belief.

7) The proclamation of the Resurrection took place very early, from the beginning of church history.

8) The disciples’ public testimony and preaching of the Resurrection took place in the city of Jerusalem, where Jesus had been crucified and buried shortly before.

9) The Gospel message centered on the preaching of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

10) Sunday was the primary day for gathering and worshiping.

11) James, the brother of Jesus and an open skeptic before this time, was converted when he believed that he had seen the risen Jesus.

12) Just a few years later, Saul of Tarsus (Paul) became a Christian believer due to an experience in which he also believed he had seen the risen Jesus.”

(Source: Geisler, Norman, and Turek, Frank. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Wheaton, Ill., Crossway, 2004, pp.299-300).

Here are a few other reliable sources to check out:

Dr. Turek’s site: www.crossexamined.org

Warner Wallace: www.coldcasechristianity.com

Rev. Billy Crone: www.getalifemedia1.com

Associates for Biblical Research: www.biblearchaeology.org

There are other sites and ministries as well that have devoted themselves to defending the credibility of the Bible and the Christian faith. Here’s the main takeaway: for over two thousand years, lives have been transformed and renewed by the fact that Jesus is Lord, and He has risen from the dead. If you are unsure about who Jesus is and what the deal is about the free gift of salvation He offers, all you have to do is ask Him (Matthew 11:28-30; John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10). He’s alive, and He is coming back soon. I want you to be ready when that day arrives.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

My book The Scope of Biblical Prophecy is now available at: www.parsonsporch.com. It is a general look at the role and importance of Bible prophecy, the importance of correct interpretation of the Scriptures, the varied ways of how the last days events are to occur, and that in the end, Jesus wins.

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Donald was born and reared in the authentic “Cajun Country” of southern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in History Education/ Biblical Studies, 1984), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. In Christian Education, 1994), and Andersonville Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Exposition, 2000). He has been in the Gospel ministry since 1986, serving as an evangelist, interim and supply pastor, hospital and rescue mission chaplain, high school and college teacher, and pastor in churches in Louisiana and Oklahoma.

In 2018, he began to devote his time to the rich field of internet and social media evangelism and outreach. In 2021 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, using his skills as a writer to contribute articles and sermons to websites such as Rapture Ready, Sermon Central, and Inspirational Christian Blogs. He also writes Bible studies and curricula for churches in southeast and central Asia and Africa, the locations of which are anonymous. He can be contacted at: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com for inquiries, information, and speaking/preaching engagements. A copy of his resume is also available upon request.

John and Paul are the only two persons mentioned in the Bible that were given actual glimpses of our Heavenly Home (Revelation; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10). After this, they had to stay on this earth until they passed away. Elijah and Enoch were both “raptured” to Heaven, and both have been there ever since (2 Kings 2:9-14; Genesis 5:24). Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross that he would be with Jesus before that day was over (Luke 23:40-43). (all ESV; emphasis mine)

Even though we have been given some descriptions of the splendor of our eternal Home, I firmly believe we cannot ever fully imagine just how awesome and beautiful it will really be. Anything that we might take as being beautiful on this earth will pale in comparison to Heaven. Consider a city with twelve gates, and each gate is made up of a single pearl. Only the true Lord God Jehovah, Creator of the heavens and the earth could accomplish this with just a thought in His mind, and this is only one of the wonders of what awaits us (Revelation 21-22).

While we are told that the Godhead is a “Trinity,” or three distinct entities that are also “One,” we will not be able to fully understand how this can be until we are Home forever. Jesus, while on this earth as fully human, stated in John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” In 2 Corinthians, Paul gives us all three entities with, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The Father is being merciful to us by not showing exactly what Heaven is like. If I were able to actually see the sights John spoke of, I believe I could not bear being here another minute.

Also, we are given the opportunity to choose eternity with Jesus or eternity separated from Him with the devil and all his demons. Some may say this is a “no-brainer,” but God will never force His will on anyone. He reserves a place for every soul that will receive and accept the free gift His Son gave us at Calvary. He allows those who will to develop a relationship with Jesus that will only get stronger as each day passes and then continues when we enter our Heavenly Home. This offer is available to every soul on this earth.

He also allows people to choose this earth and all its so-called pleasures and treasures rather than force compliance. He knows Satan and his evil forces are constantly at work, trying to pull as many souls away from the Shepherd as possible. The fate of Satan and the fallen angels is already set, as given in Matthew 25:41, and they have no pathway for forgiveness. If the Father would force humans to worship Jesus, that would not be a true love, and our God is all about Love.

In every so-called man-made religion, there are so many rules to follow that require many works and donations before any member can attain their deity’s paradise. Sadly, almost all of the followers never really know if they have done enough or not. Our Father, the absolute true God of the Universe, has made it as simple as ABC for us to be “assured” that we are part of the Holy Shepherd’s flock.

We admit that we know we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. That’s Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23.

Second, and probably the absolute most important part, is to believe and have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16; John 14:6) who willingly came to this earth to be our only perfect sacrifice that the Father could accept (John 10:18). While here, He became fully human yet was still fully God. He was the only human in the history of this world that would ever live a sinless life.

Finally, as Romans 10:13 states, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

For the best explanation of this, Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the Gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”

For anyone who believes they can impress the Father through “works,” please consider Isaiah 64:6; “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Our “acceptance” is based on receiving and accepting the Gift that the Father’s Son provided at Calvary. God knows that no one is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10), so He has provided a pathway to true forgiveness in 1 John 1:8-10. We are saved by the “Grace” of the Savior’s gift and the “Mercy” of the Father’s forgiveness.

Please know, I am eagerly looking forward to actually seeing My Jesus in person for the first time. Patience is not one of my strongest “virtues,” and I look forward to the Trumpet of God sounding and hearing the shout of the archangel. I can only imagine just how wonderful it will be.

Speaking of this, Mercy Me released a song in 1999 called “I Can Only Imagine.” There was even a movie made of this. The part of “will I be able to speak at all” is definitely on my mind. I just know that after having called out to Him to be My Savior about 35 years ago, I feel I have a true relationship with Him, and I look forward to finally getting to thank Him personally for saving a sinner such as I. In the past, I have included a line or two in a message but have not given the full song lyrics. Please consider the following words:

1.) I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side. I can only imagine what my eyes would see when Your face is before me; I can only imagine.

(ref) Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of You be still”? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah; will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine; I can only imagine.

2.) I can only imagine when that day comes, and I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You; I can only imagine, yeah; I can only imagine.

(refx2) I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you; I can only imagine.

I know I’m special, but so is every person on this earth who would receive and accept Our Savior. No one has sinned so greatly that His shed blood cannot cover them. A-B-C applies to everyone. The unforgivable sin is to take your last breath on this earth without having Jesus as your Savior. At that point, it will be too late to call out for forgiveness, and Revelation 20:11-15 will be your judgment.

The end of this age is rapidly approaching, and all true believers will be removed prior to the Tribulation/Wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Some may say they have the exact time and day that we will be leaving, and their arguments sound accurate, but Jesus Himself said no one knows the exact day or hour. He told of the signs that would be taking place just before He comes, and every one of them is present right now.

Taking the time to call on Jesus today will save a lot of misery later. He could be calling at any moment. This is the absolute most important decision you could ever make. As stated, He will force no one to receive and accept Him; and likewise, He will turn no one away who truly calls on Him to be their Savior.

Maranatha! Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com