EASTER

Popular belief is that Jesus died on Friday and rose early Sunday Morning. Christian Churches everywhere hold "Sunrise" Services in honor of this event. The Catholic Churches revere Friday and call it "Good Friday". But, did Jesus die Friday? Did He raise on Sunday Morning? Did Jesus command us to celebrate His Resurrection? The answers will suprise you!

When Asked for a sign by the Religious teachers of His Day, Jesus said:
"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)

Let's do the math - Friday to Sunday morning is not three days and three nights. On Sunday morning the tomb was already empty (you can read the 4 gospel accounts yourself). The Apostles taught that Jesus rose on the third day, throughout the New Testement. That would be Saturday in the late afternoon, early evening. With that in mind let's figure it out:

Saturday day to Friday evening, 1 day and 1 night.

Friday day to Thurday evening, 2 days and 2 nights.

Thursday day to Wednesday evening, 3 days and 3 nights.

Because of the Sabbath the bodies could not be left on the cross so mistakenly the assumption by most is that this was speaking about the normal Sabbath which is Friday evening to Saturday Evening. However, the Sabbath that was being spoken about was the Passover of the Jews, That year it must have been on a Wednesday Evening to a Thurday Evening, time frame. So Jesus would have been crucified on Wednesday Day, laying down His life at around 3 o'clock (the 9th hour). Placed in the tomb before evening (Start of Passover) Resurrected Saturday between 3 and evening.

Why then do the Christian churches teach otherwise? Many of the beliefs in the modern church are based in the misreading of the scriptures. The Catholic church took the Roman beliefs (based on Sun worship) and "christianized" them. Warnings throughout the New Testement is that there would be a falling away from the true faith. This happened not long after the Apostles died. Paul said because people do not love the truth, God would send them a strong delusion so that they may believe the lie and be condemned. (II Thessalonians 2:1-12). So what happened to the Jews during the time of Jesus is also happening to the Gentiles today. What happened to the Jews? Isaiah prophesied:

He (God) said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:10-15)

Should believers follow an ancient sun worship practice? Of course not!

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)

Anyone who reads their Bible will see that Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven. He also told Nicodemus that only He would ascend into heaven (John 3:13). If you ask most church goers about where they are spending eternity, they will tell you heaven. After looking at the scriptures, however, it is well publisizedd that Heaven is God's throne and not a place for man's habitation.

Why the difference between what is in the scriptures and what is believed? Because people do not search the scriptures and they take peoples words for things. None of the Apostles ever wrote that we can ascend into heaven either. We wait for the Lord to return from heaven.

Paul stated that the Jerusalem from above is our mother (Galatians 4:26). Peter wrote that we are waiting for a New Heaven and a New Earth where righteousness will dwell (II Peter 3:13). John wrote in the Revelation of seeing the vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven for God to dwell with man (Revelation 21:1-4).

Who though wanted to ascend into heaven? Read Isaiah 14:12-15) Why then do the religious leaders of today, teach contrary to Jesus?

Remember the warning about the leaven of the Pharisees. False teaching has entered the Christian church and brough about an apostacy. Be on your gaurd and remember the story of the ten virgins. Jesus wants all of His people to be prepared. That is why it is important to study the scriptures yourself! You and I cannot go to heaven. We are to wait for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.