The Apostle Paul tells us that, in the end, we have victory over death. Now this is a future event, but it has compelling implications for each of us. If Jesus did not really rise to a new life in a physical body, we might as well live for this earthly life and do as …
The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Corinth that “your faith has not been in vain.” A group of heretics had slipped into the congregation. They claimed that only the spiritual was good and anything physical was bad. Therefore, Christ had not really risen in a physical body. While this sounded pious, it is not …
For the Festival of First Fruits to foreshadow the cross of Jesus Christ, Jesus had to have died and had a true resurrection. If Jesus had not really risen from the dead, then he couldn’t be the first fruits of the dead. Swoon Theory Against the Resurrection The swoon theory states that Jesus did not …
The Festival of First Fruits is always connected with Passover. God connected this third festival time with Passover from the beginning. Leviticus 23: 11 On the day after the Sabbath, (following the Passover) the priest will lift it up before the Lord so it may be accepted on your behalf.[1] It was God’s timing that directed the celebration of …
Jesus had predicted a triumph over the grave when He told the disciples that Lazarus’ illness would not result in death. The disciples must have been confused when they arrived at Lazarus’ home, as he had been in the grave for four days. But that wasn’t the end. When Jesus went to visit Lazarus’ tomb, …
Jesus’ prayer precedes God’s power in the raising of Lazarus. John 11: 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will …
The struggle with unbelief is common both in Jesus’ time and today, providing insight into people’s hearts. When Jesus was brought to the temple in Jerusalem as an infant for the purification offering, an elderly man named Simeon met them. As he held the child in his arms, he spoke prophetic words about His future. …
The story of the raising of Lazarus illustrates Jesus’ anger and sorrow at death. John 11: 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.. 35 Then Jesus wept.[1] The crowd surrounding the grieving sisters and Jesus assumed that Jesus …
Burial is not the end for believers; this is wonderful news for everyone who places their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Genesis 23:1When Sarah was 127 years old, 2 she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her. [1] Shortly after her death, Abraham bought …
Abraham had to buy a burial plot for Sarah. This cave became the purchased place of rest and future hope. We understand a burial plot to be a resting place, but how could it be a future hope? We must understand the burial practices of the day to begin to see how there could be …