Scripture References:

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

When the Lord Jesus told Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25, KJV), He proved it by bringing him back from the dead, doing so in public, giving further proof that He was who He claimed to be, God Incarnate.

He had 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 (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 Christ 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 authentic preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-5), and the power behind every evangelist who devotes themselves to the work of the LORD.

The physician and historian, Luke, the author of the Gospel bearing his name, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, wrote about the many “infallible proofs” of Jesus’ resurrection and appearances prior to His ascension back to heaven (Acts 1:3). This was the testimony of numerous eyewitnesses and was prophesied within the pages of the Old Testament of the Bible. The resurrection was foretold in the psalms of King David (Psalm 16:10, 11; Acts 13:34-35). It is the foundation of the Gospel, supplied by the entirety of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), announced by Jesus Himself (Isaiah 53:10-12; Mark 9:9-10: John 2:19-22), and proclaimed by the apostles (Acts 2:24, 32, 3:15; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 4).

Scripture gives us the names and locations of where Jesus met with His followers after His resurrection. Mary Magdalene, the woman who had been delivered from demons was the first to see Him after He had risen (John 20:11-18). He also appeared to the women who were headed to the tomb to complete the ritual of anointing His body with burial spices (Matthew 28:5-10). He appeared to Peter and the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31, 34, 36-43). He appeared to His disciples when Thomas had returned to join them. His encounter with Jesus gave birth to the great words of faith and belief (John 20:24-29). Jesus appeared to the disciples who had been fishing all night (John 21:1-23).

The apostle Paul recorded that over five hundred brethren saw Jesus at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6). According to the law of Moses, only two or more witnesses were needed to verify a testimony (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:5; 1 Timothy 5:19). Paul’s own testimony of being transformed from an enemy of Christ into one of His most faithful and active adherents is one of the signs of the validity of the resurrection by even the most skeptical of Bible scholars (Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8). Jesus was also seen by His half-brother James after the resurrection, and he became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 15:7). The Gospels record that none of Jesus’ brothers and sisters believed in Him until after He had been raised from the dead (John 7:5).

What of sources outside the Bible? Do they verify what has been written about the life and work of Jesus, specifically concerning His death and resurrection? In his book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Dr. Frank Turek cites the work of Dr. Gary Habermas, who had collected over 1,400 of the most critically scholarly works dealing with the Resurrection from 1975-2003, found that across the theological spectrum from the most liberal to most conservative, all agreed that the following points concerning Jesus and Christianity are actual historical facts:

1) Jesus died by Roman crucifixion and was buried in a private tomb.

(2) Soon afterward, the disciples were discouraged, bereaved, and despondent, having lost all hope.

(3) Then, Jesus’ tomb was found empty shortly after His internment.

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

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

(6) The proclamation of the Resurrection took place early from the start of church history.

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

(8) Sunday became the day of worship and gathering by the early Christians.

(9) As stated earlier, the conversions of Paul and James were cited as compelling evidence for the claims of the Resurrection of Jesus.

(10) Apostolic collaboration on the composition of the Gospels and the letters were all in agreement concerning the events of the Resurrection and the honesty of their testimonies. The Gospels present embarrassing details about their character and skepticism that would be missing if it were all a fabrication (Ex. Peter’s denial, the testimony of the women, Paul’s hatred of Christ prior to his conversion, etc.). (Source: Geisler, Norman, and Turek, Frank: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist; Wheaton, IL., Crossway Books, 2004, pp.299-300.)

In all things concerning Scripture and the claims of Jesus, do your own research and examination of the evidence. I want to give you a “starter list” of material to check for yourself and go from there:

www.crossexamined.org

www.coldcasechristianity.org

www.getalifemedia1.com

www.biblearchaeology.org

www.worldofthebible.com

https://answersingenesis.org

The main takeaway is this: For over two thousand years, lives have been transformed and renewed by the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He has been raised from the dead. If you are unsure about who Jesus is and what the deal is about the gift of salvation He freely offers to anyone who calls on Him, all you must do is ask Him (Matthew 11:28-30; John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10). I want you to be ready when that day arrives. Remember, without the fact of the Resurrection, any anticipation or hope for the Rapture and the promise of eternal life in the new heavens and earth wouldn’t exist. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that your promises are true and you are indeed returning soon. Glory to His name.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

 

 

Revelation 21:23; “And the City has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its Lamp is the Lamb.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

Before the city in the verse above can appear, this present earth will go through a terrible 7-year tribulation, followed by a thousand years of our Savior on His throne in the Holy City. At the end of that millennium, even with the presence of the Son of God on earth, there will still be one more rebellion from evil forces.

The antichrist and false prophet will already be in the lake of fire, and Satan will have been bound in a bottomless pit for those one thousand years (Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:2-3). Revelation 20:7-10 tells us Satan will be released to “deceive” the nations of the earth, and there will be an enormous number of people that will join him for one final battle. They will surround the Holy City, but fire from Heaven will consume them. Satan will join his antichrist in the lake of fire, never to be able to cause any havoc again. He will be followed by a very long line of people who will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. All who had gone against the will of God prior to Calvary and all who refused to receive and accept His Son from Calvary to the end of the millennium will be cast into the lake of fire forever.

No matter what a person’s title was on this earth, no matter how many riches and earthly honors they had here, when their names are not found in the “Book of Life” as stated in Revelation 20:15, they will be condemned with Lucifer forever. There will be no pardons, no more chance of forgiveness, nor any releases once a soul has been cast into hell.

At any point, while the humans were still alive, they could have repented, confessed that they were sinners, and called out to Jesus to forgive and save them (Romans 10:9-13). However, whatever status they had at their last breath here will have sealed their fate. It has been said, “Know Jesus, no hell; No Jesus, know hell.”

Revelation 5 sums up why this is so. From verse 1 through verse 8, it is established that only “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David,” is able to open the seven scrolls and its seven seals. The opening of the seals is what sets off the Tribulation/Wrath.

After this, there are three songs that will be sung. The first is verses 9 and 10 and is sung by the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures; “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Verse 12 is the song of countless Angels saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

Finally, every creature in Heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea sing in verse 13, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be blessing, and honor, and glory, and might forever and ever.”

With all these accolades, one might ask why God doesn’t just put His will on everyone and force them to honor and worship Jesus. That’s not what a loving Father does to His children. He allows each and every person to choose their final destiny. All who will truly repent, confess they are sinners, and call on Jesus will be saved. That’s His promise, and God will not lie (Titus 1:2). Those who are saved before the first seal will have been Raptured and will not have to go into the terrible 7-year tribulation.

This does not mean those who become saved are free to live any way they choose. It also does not imply that we won’t ever sin again. While in these human bodies, we will sin. That’s Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23, just as examples. However, we have a pathway to forgiveness, as given in 1 John 1:8-10. We are still subject to discipline just as any child would be held accountable for their actions, as given in Hebrews 12:5-6.

For those who truly receive and accept Jesus as their Savior, this world will not be very friendly toward us. Just over the past few years, we have witnessed a definite change in attitude that is more positive toward this world and its leader, Satan. On the other hand, there has been a definite negative shift of attitudes against anything to do with Jesus. This is no surprise to the Savior, as given in Matthew 7:13-14. Our relief will come at the sound of the Trumpet of God and a shout from an archangel.

Still, if one is a part of His precious flock, we know He is tenderly calling out to us right now as a Heavenly Shepherd would. The world may not hear Him, but we know He is there.

Fanny Crosby wrote a Hymn called “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling.”

1) Jesus is tenderly calling thee Home; calling today – calling today. Why from the sunshine of love wilt thou roam, farther and farther away.

Ref.) Calling today, calling today, Jesus is calling, tenderly calling today.

2) Jesus is calling the weary to rest; calling today – calling today. Bring Him thy burden and thou shall be blessed; He will not turn thee away.

3) Jesus is waiting, Oh come to Him now; waiting today – waiting today. Come with thy sins at His feet lowly bow; come and no longer delay.

4) Jesus is pleading, Oh list to His voice; hear Him today – hear Him today. They who believe on His name shall rejoice, quickly arise and away.

The most important choice that you will ever make is which leader you will follow. Satan and all the “treasures and pleasures” of this world, and end up in the lake of fire forever; or Our Lord and Savior and forever be in a paradise that is beyond our frail human comprehension.

Prophecy experts agree on one issue; the end of this era is very near. All the signs listed in God’s word are here now, and for the first time all at once.

The only major event that takes place before the 7-year tribulation/wrath is the Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). In 2 Thessalonians 2, we’re told that a “Restrainer” is holding back the appearance of the antichrist. That would be the Holy Spirit, and God has promised His Children that we would not be here when the tribulation starts. When the Spirit is removed, all who have received and accepted His Son will be taken up to meet Him in the air.

Be on the side that rises up rather than the poor souls that will go into the most terrible time this world will ever see. It’s each and every individual’s choice to make, and Jesus is waiting to add all to His flock that will truly call on Him to be saved.

As some ads have said, the call is free and the benefits are eternal. Come, Lord Jesus!

Maranatha!

huebshman46@gmail.com