 From the Editor |
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Coming of Christ
Foretold in the ProphetsWho is Jesus?Roman OccupationMiracles of ChristThe Death and ResurrectionWhat Does Jesus Expect From Me? |
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Prophecy Fulfilled!By You: PoetryExpect a MiracleJesus Christ’s MissionSimple WordsExercise Method May Have Spiritual Application |
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The Death and Resurrection
By Rory Ries
Have you ever seen Arlington National Cemetery? It is a sight to behold with so many tombstones of men and women who have served their country. There is one whitewashed tombstone after another, glistening brightly in the sun, all in military order and rank. Thousands of men and women placed there in their final resting place. Is it their final resting place?
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What do
you believe? Is there life after death or is this life the only life we will ever know? |
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Over the years, many have lived and many have died. There have been many different doctrines preached since the beginning of mankind and it can all be very confusing. Is it confusing to you? Take some time to read what is written here. It may make things clearer for you and you may walk away with a better understanding of Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father who have a great plan in place. This plan has been a mystery to so many who have lived and died. It is called a mystery (1 Cor. 15:51) because so many have been deceived into believing something that is false. Many have chosen to worship a false christ because they have refused or ignored a very meaningful sign Christ gave to those who are willing to submit to Him. What is this sign? We can pick up some of the story in John 2:18. The Jews wanted a sign and Christ gave them a sign in verse 19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up?” The Jews immediately assumed He was talking about the temple and they missed the sign. Christ wasn’t talking about Herod’s temple, He was talking about His own body (John 2:21-22). Christ also talked about His plan in Matthew 12:38-40. He gave the scribes and Pharisees the sign of Jonah (Jonah 1:17). He told them He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Most people are going to tell you this sign is insignificant and doesn’t really mean anything. Is that true? Those who believe in Christ being crucified on the day called Good Friday will tell you the sign Christ gave didn’t really mean three full days and three full nights. They will also tell you His death and resurrection all took place in a matter of roughly 26 hours. Again, two questions are asked, what do you believe and does it matter? One thing we have to understand and believe is when God says He is going to do something, He means He is going to do something (Isaiah 46:8-11). Christ said He would be in the grave for three days and three nights and He meant just that—three days and three nights. Anything taught differently than this specific sign Christ gave is a counterfeit. Christ gave us this sign to demonstrate who He is and who God is. As written in Isaiah 46:9, “ I am God, and there is none like me!” Can you see the magnificence and power in that statement? Can you see the magnificence and power in the sign God gave to those who want to know Him? Do not be misled by the counterfeit. One other point that needs to be made is simple, there are 12 hours in a day. Christ said it Himself (John 11:9). You cannot squeeze 72 hours into Friday evening until Sunday morning. That idea is another lie and has misled many into following a false christ. The Jonah prophecy is truly another sign between God and His people. We also don’t want to overlook the fact Christ had to die for all of us to be able to have a relationship with the Father and the Son (Matthew 27:51). Our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Thanks be to God and Christ for his death that we may have life. John the Baptist recognized Christ and called out to everyone, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). All of us have killed Christ because of our sins. It wasn’t the Jews nor was it the Romans, it was you and me. Without His death there would be no resurrection. Another reason for the three days and three nights was to show the world He was really dead. The Pharisees were even afraid Christ was trying to pull a fast one so they requested a guard be placed outside the tomb (Matthew 27:62-65). There was no hocus pocus and there were no tricks being played on anyone. The death was real (John 19:33). His burial was real (John 19:38-42) and of course, the resurrection was real (John 20:11-17). We cannot possibly cover all of the significance of the resurrection in this article. It’s hard enough to just talk about our Lord’s death. However, the main point is with His resurrection there is life after death (1 Cor. 15:20-23). Paul even said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:19). The resurrection brings hope for eternal life with God the Father, and with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. | ||
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Paul said this hope, that comes from the resurrection is like an anchor to the soul (Hebrews 6:19). It is sure and it is steadfast. No matter what trials you may be facing, no matter what persecution may come your way, this hope will help you through it all—the hope that is in Jesus Christ and what He has done for me and you. Jesus Christ has risen! He has entered into the perfect tabernacle as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-15). Through His sacrifice, death, and resurrection, He can cleanse your conscience from dead works and create in you a new creature who is willing to serve God Almighty. All one has to do is accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and acknowledge your sins were nailed with Him upon the cross (John 3:16 and 1 Col. 2:13). The beauty and glory in all of this is beyond compare. The magnificence is beyond anyone’s imagination. Yet, you who are reading this are being exposed to something that most of the world doesn’t understand. Is the true Christ real to you? Do you understand the Father’s great plan for you and for those who will eventually come to the true Christ and the Almighty God? Those who have been buried at Arlington Cemetery and any other cemetery will come to life someday ( 1 Cor. 15:20-28 and Rev. 20:11-12). They will come to life because Christ died and was resurrected. That day will come and is a part of God’s great plan. That plan is being revealed to those now who are being called out to give up their life and abide in Jesus Christ. Are you willing to answer to that calling? i | |