Apostle Paul wrote that there were first-hand witnesses to confirm the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep “, (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). The Empty Tomb is significant evidence of the bodily resurrection. The women who went to the sepulchre very early Sunday morning, concerned about who would help them roll away the mighty stone, found the tomb already opened and empty and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. The angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body”, (Mark 16:6). Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, took responsibility for the burial of Jesus after His crucifixion in a new tomb he made for himself (Matthew 27:57).
By this resurrection (Philippians 2:9-11) God also has highly exalted Jesus, and given Him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus is no longer a subject for any Pontius Pilate to preside over. He ascended into heaven in the glaring view of many witnesses (Acts 1:9). He keeps appearing to many to date and appointing prophets and priests over His Church. He is the Everlasting Reigning King, the Ruler of the universe, the Judge of all mankind, to Him be glory, honour and dominion forever and ever. He has indeed risen.
Jesus spent forty days after He rose from the dead giving the disciples further information on the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Even when He was about to ascend into heaven so the Holy Spirit could come (John 16:7) the disciples were still confused, as many still are today. They seemed only to remember the many stories and parables Jesus told about the kingdom of God. So they asked Jesus saying, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). It can mean that we are all still after political powers, territorial possessions, powers to physically fight our foes, even though we desire the power and authority of the Messiah over it somewhat. Jesus had specifically told us that only God knows that time (Mark 13:32). The kingdom of God includes the restoration of the hearts of Jesus’ followers (Ezekiel 36:26), from every tribe and nation (Revelation 7:9). The disciples are worried about when Jesus’ kingdom will come but Jesus wants us to concern ourselves with who and how to be in that kingdom. The kingdom can’t fully come until we have been Jesus’ witnesses around the world (Acts 1:8). This is one reason we should rally around Prophet TB Joshua, Emmanuel TV, SCOAN, and promoting many national and international crusades periodically to find the sheep of the other folds (John 10:16). Jesus is risen, He is risen indeed. Emmanuel
Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Watching TB Joshua 