Question: Is there any proof that Jesus rose from the dead? Where is Jesus now?
Answer: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central focus of the Christian faith, and many of the witnesses to that fact were tortured and died while proclaiming that it really was true! The fact of the resurrection has been called the most important event in human history and is supported by evidence detailed in the Bible. Enemies of the early Christian church said Jesus’ followers “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) with their eyewitness accounts of seeing Jesus after His death, talking and eating with Him, and hearing Him speak throughout the 40 days after His resurrection. After Jesus came back to life after the crucifixion and burial, the early devout Jewish followers of Jesus began meeting on Sunday rather than on the Sabbath day of Saturday, since Jesus had risen from the dead on a Sunday morning. His resurrection changed their lives and their worship, and it empowered and emboldened believers to proclaim everywhere the miraculous news of those events.
“I am the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote these accounts; and we know that my testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did (after He was resurrected), which, if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John in John 21:24-25
“…Jesus was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Peter, then by the twelve disciples. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, most of whom are still alive today, but some have died since then. After that, He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then, last of all I saw Him also, long after the others, as though I had been born almost too late for this.” Paul in I Corinthians 15:4-8
After those forty days of spending time with His disciples and many others, Jesus ascended into the sky and into heaven before the eyes of His followers. Two men in white apparel appeared next to them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same manner as you saw Him leave for heaven.” Luke in Acts 1:9-11
The Bible explains that Jesus is in heaven now, preparing a place for all people who will join Him there in the future. The apostle Paul spoke numerous times with Jesus after He had entered heaven (Acts 9: 1-9, Galatians 1:11-20), and Stephen announced that he could see the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right of God’s throne (Acts 7:54-60). The disciple John, in his old age, recorded the most exciting scenes ever documented in human history in Revelation 21:2:
“I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb (Jesus) shall be in the new city.” Revelation 22:3
The next event on God’s calendar will be the coming of Jesus back to earth for his followers, to take them with Him into heaven (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). For all people who have asked Jesus to be their Master and Savior, this will be a fabulous day! Each person who believes or is “saved” will have life that lasts forever after their physical death, just like Jesus has!
Have you ever asked Jesus to be your own Savior, to lead you, to save you?
Pray or say this to Him:
Jesus, I have read in the Bible that you came to earth to sacrifice yourself by dying on a cross because of your love for me and for all men and women. I realize now that I have committed many sins during my life, and that God cannot allow me in His holy presence because of that. I thank you that you willingly paid the penalty with your blood that now completely erases my sin record. You said on the cross, “It is finished!” I am sorry for my sins and so very thankful that I am counted as clean in God’s eyes, my terrible sin-filled past has been eliminated in your eyes forever, and I can enter heaven and God’s presence when I die. Please guide me and help me to obey and please you all the remaining days of my life. Thank you, dear Jesus, for this fantastic gift of eternal life and joy! Amen! (John 19:28-30)
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
Paul in Romans 10:9-10
JESUS IS LORD OF ALL!
