Who became the eyewitnesses for the event of the resurrection of Jusus? Why do we need a timeline for the resurrection and the ascension to heaven? From where did Jesus ascend to heaven from? Whose account has more details for telling the story of the resurrection and the ascension?
We have four accounts written respecting the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus Christ. We have two of the accounts that are written by the eyewitnesses whereas Mark’s account is drawn from the apostle Peter’s perspective. Luke’s account tries to combine all known information respecting this time span from all the eyewitnesses. And though there may seem to be discrepancies that is not necessarily true, a perspective is simply a viewpoint or how someone saw the events and related that information from memory. All these Bible writers were borne along with Holy Spirit. So, we will attempt to piece together the timeline from all the biblical accounts, extrapolating the most important points to give a full flavor of the event. May the Lord bless our attempts at this timeline, may our eyes be opened with our hearts being overflowing with love for truth Amen.
The Grave Site
Mark 16:1-4… So, when the sabbath had passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices in order to come and grease him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week they came to the memorial tomb, when the sun had risen. 3 And they were saying one to another: “Who will roll the stone away from the door of the memorial tomb for us?”4 But when they looked up, they beheld that the stone had been rolled away, although it was very large.
As soon as sabbath was over and there was daylight these women went to the tomb the complete the burial preparation on Christ. So, form the time of death till these women showed up it was about 40 hours. Did you notice that these women were concerned about moving the rock that was acting as a door for the tomb? Maybe they thought that the Roman soldiers might help them move the stone.
Matthew 28:2-10… And notice! a great earthquake had taken place; for Jehovah’s angel had descended from heaven and approached and rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His outward appearance was as lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 Yes, for fear of him the watchmen trembled and became as dead men. 5 But the angel in answer said to the women: “Do not YOU be fearful, for I know YOU are looking for Jesus who was impaled. 6 He is not here, for he was raised up, as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. 7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he was raised up from the dead and look! he is going ahead of YOU into Galilee; there YOU will see him. Look! I have told YOU.”
In this passage of Scripture we want to look at two things first notice that the Roman soldiers were in shock. Next where was the angel sitting when he spoke to the women? How many angels were there at the tomb? Who ran to tell Peter that the Christ had risen, and he was not in the tomb?
Mark 16:5-8… When they entered into the memorial tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a white robe, and they were stunned. 6 He said to them: “Stop being stunned. YOU are looking for Jesus the Nazareneʹ, who was impaled. He was raised up; he is not here. See! The place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of YOU into Galilee; there YOU will see him, just as he told YOU. 8 So when they came out they fled from the memorial tomb, for trembling and strong emotion were gripping them. And they told nobody anything, for they were in fear.
What message are these women to tell the disciples and Peter? First he was no longer dead, and he had risen. Second, they needed to go to Galilee to meet him.
Matthew 28:8-10… So, quickly leaving the memorial tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to report to his disciples. 9 And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” (G5563 Rejoice) They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him. 10 Then Jesus said to them: “Have no fear! Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galilee; and there they will see me.”
At this point in time the message had been repeated three different times. Once outside the tomb, next the message was repeated inside the tomb, then Jesus met them and related the same message again.
Luke 24:5-11… As the [women] became frightened and kept their faces turned to the ground, the [men] said to them: “Why are YOU looking for the living One among the dead? 6 [[He is not here but has been raised up.]] Recall how he spoke to YOU while he was yet in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be impaled and yet on the third day rise.” 8 So they called his sayings to mind, 9 and they returned from the memorial tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 They were the Magdalene Mary, and Joanna, and Mary the [mother] of James. Also, the rest of the women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 However, these sayings appeared as nonsense to them, and they would not believe the [women].
So, once the commotion and the emotion started to slow down all the disciples were informed that Jesus was no longer dead, but he had risen. But the apostle John gives us some additional details that were not found in these other passages Scriptures. John reveals that it was Mary who broke away from the group and ran to tell Peter that Jesus had risen.
John 20:2-25…Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, for whom Jesus had affection, and she said to them: “They have taken away the Lord out of the memorial tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went out and started for the memorial tomb. 4 Yes, the two together began to run; but the other disciple ran ahead of Peter with greater speed and reached the memorial tomb first. 5 And, stooping forward, he beheld the bandages lying, yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter also came following him, and he entered into the memorial tomb. And he viewed the bandages lying, 7 also the cloth that had been upon his head not lying with the bandages but separately rolled up in one place. 8 At that time, therefore, the other disciple who had reached the memorial tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet discern the scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 And so the disciples went back to their homes. 11 Mary, however, kept standing outside near the memorial tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she stooped forward to look into the memorial tomb 12 and she viewed two angels in white sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them: “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 After saying these things, she turned back and viewed Jesus standing, but she did not discern it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She, imagining it was the gardener, said to him: “Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”16 Jesus said to her: “Mary!” Upon turning around, she said to him, in Hebrew: “Rabbani!” (which means “Teacher!”) 17 Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and YOUR Father and to my God and YOUR God.’”18 Mary Magdalene came and brought the news to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” and that he said these things to her.
The death of the Christ was a shock to the disciples even though Jesus plainly disclosed that he would suffer these things they did not quite grasp that he needed to be risen from the dead because flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The kingdom would be ruled not in the flesh but in the spirit and that he was going to ascend into heaven. The disciples were still in a state of disbelief, and some began the journey home and that is where we pick up reading next.
Luke 24:13-32… But look! on that very day two of them were journeying to a village about seven miles distant from Jerusalem [and] named Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing with each other over all these things that had come about. 15 Now as they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached and began walking with them; 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them: “What are these matters that YOU are debating between yourselves as YOU walk along?” And they stood still with sad faces. 18 In answer the one named Cleophas said to him: “Are you dwelling as an alien by yourself in Jerusalem and so do not know the things that have occurred in her in these days?” 19 And he said to them: “What things?” They said to him: “The things concerning Jesus the Nazareneʹ, who became a prophet powerful in work and word before God and all the people; 20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to the sentence of death and impaled him. 21 But we were hoping that this [man] was the one destined to deliver Israel; yes, and besides all these things, this makes the third day since these things occurred. 22 Moreover, certain women from among us also astonished us, because they had been early to the memorial tomb 23 but did not find his body and they came saying they had also seen a supernatural sight of angels, who said he is alive. 24 Further, some of those with us went off to the memorial tomb; and they found it so, just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 So he said to them: “O senseless (G453 thoughtless) ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures. 28 Finally they got close to the village where they were journeying, and he made as if he was journeying on farther. 29 But they used pressure upon him, saying: “Stay with us, because it is toward evening and the day has already declined.” With that he went in to stay with them. 30 And as he was reclining with them at the meal he took the loaf, blessed it, broke it and began to hand it to them. 31 At that their eyes were fully opened, and they recognized him; and he disappeared from them. 32 And they said to each other: “Were not our hearts burning as he was speaking to us on the road, as he was fully opening up the Scriptures to us?”
These men were headed back to where they were staying not too far from Jerusalem, they were not leaving the area per say for remember this was a seven-day festival to God they were still observing the week of unleavened bread. So let us review what we’ve learned so far.
Summary of the first part of the 16th day
So, we have 3 women who bought spices before going to the gravesite on Nisan the 16th, the day after the sabbath. They were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome. But in the account that Luke relates there was one other woman there, whose name was Joanna. These women expressed concern about how they were going to gain access to the tomb and the body of Jesus.
We now have an angel who has opened up the grave site and is sitting on the stone door. He has put the fear of God into the Roman soldiers that were guarding the tomb and they run off as the women approached. The angel began to speak to them with encouraging words and told them to look into the tomb. They see a second angel who continues to encourage them. The women were caught up in strong emotions and withheld telling their experiences fully until later on, as reported on in Mark’s account.
In John’s account, we have Mary Magdalene first running to tell the apostles Peter and John about what has occurred, and they begin to run to the memorial tomb to see for themselves that it was empty.
The one group of women were met by Jesus, (apparently Mary Magdalene was not with them as she was running to go get Peter) and Jesus begins to encourage them with the same words that had been given them by the Angels.
Mary Magdalene now returns to the tomb, but Peter and John are already gone. As she enters the garden, we can imagine that she is trying to understand the events of the day, then she too has an experience of seeing the Angels and witnessing the things that the Angels had told the other women, then Jesus also appears here at the tomb and encourages Mary Magdalene. Jesus honored the women by allowing them to see and hear from him first. What are some of the other things that we can extrapolate from these accounts thus far?
The first is the message, that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Next the woman were encouraged to tell the disciples to go back to Galilee and meet him at the mountain. Jesus disclosed to Mary that his ascension to heaven is going to happen soon but not yet. The Lord Jesus knew that these things would be hard for his disciples to comprehend, it took a great amount of encouragement both on the part of the Angels and on the part of our Lord Jesus, to help solidify his disciples into a united force for declaring the kingdom message.
Later on, of the First Day
Luke 24:32-53… And in that very hour they rose and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and those with them assembled together, 34 saying: “For a fact the Lord was raised up and he appeared to Simon!” 35 Now they themselves related the [events] on the road and how he became known to them by the breaking of the loaf. 36 While they were speaking of these things he himself stood in their midst and said to them: “May YOU have peace.” 37 But because they were terrified, and had become frightened, they were imagining they beheld a spirit. 38 So he said to them: “Why are YOU troubled, and why is it doubts come up in YOUR hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; feel me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as YOU behold that I have.” 40 [[And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.]] 41 But while they were still not believing for sheer joy and were wondering, he said to them: “Do YOU have something there to eat?” 42 And they handed him a piece of broiled fish; 43 and he took it and ate it before their eyes. 44 He now said to them: “These are my words which I spoke to YOU while I was yet with YOU, that all the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, 46 and he said to them: “In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, 47 and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, YOU are to be witnesses of these things. 49 And, look! I am sending forth upon YOU that which is promised by my Father. YOU, though, abide in the city until YOU become clothed with power from on high.” 50 But he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was blessing them he was parted from them and began to be borne up to heaven. 52 And they did obeisance to him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple blessing God.
So, as these two disciples meet up with the apostles and the rest of the group they are told that Peter had also had a visit from the Lord. Now the account by the apostle John, although being shorter account gives additional detail that the Lord gave.
John 20:19-25… Therefore, when it was late on that day, the first of the week, and, although the doors were locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them: “May YOU have peace.” 20 And after he said this he showed them both his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus, therefore, said to them again: “May YOU have peace. Just as the Father has sent me forth, I also am sending YOU.” 22 And after he said this he blew upon them and said to them: “Receive holy spirit. 23 If YOU forgive the sins of any persons, they stand forgiven to them; if YOU retain those of any persons, they stand retained.” 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 Consequently the other disciples would say to him: “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.”
The account by Luke has a lot more detail in it, such as the Lord showed himself to Peter by himself, but we do not know what that message was to Peter. The interesting thing that I find Is that Jesus gave a commission sending forth his disciples. He also blew Holy Spirit upon them before Pentecost, he also told them that they had the ability to forgive sins of any person. Jesus told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they had received what the Father had promised to give. These are the events of the first day. Why did Jesus tell his disciples to stay in Jerusalem when they were told that he would meet them in the mountain in Galilee? The disciples were still observing the week of unleavened bread in Jerusalem. Luke says that he led them out to Bethany and then ascended toward heaven but were did Jesus go, for in fact Jesus again manifests himself to the group of disciples eight days later in Jerusalem, so this could not be his ascension into heaven to sit on the throne at the right hand of God.
Eight Days Later
John 20:26-31… Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: “May YOU have peace.” 27 Next he said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing.” 28 In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him: “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.” 30 To be sure, Jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. 31 But these have been written down that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that, because of believing, YOU may have life by means of his name.
The apostle John admits that he didn’t write everything down that Jesus did before his ascension into heaven, but he only wrote down what was necessary for you to believe that Jesus is God son. What was Jesus doing besides strengthening and encouraging his disciples during this time? The apostle Peter next answers that question for us.
1 Peter 3:18-19… Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. In this [state] also he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison.
Here we have the apostle Peter saying that Jesus went and preached to the spirits that were in prison, what could Jesus possibly have said to them? Well, we can ascertain it probably had to do with the kingdom of God. It would have been that Jesus had fulfilled the will of God. That he would be the king of the kingdom and would be taking control soon.
Now that the festival of unleavened bread was over in Jerusalem it was time to go back home to Galilee. During the time that they were in Galilee there was another manifestation made to the disciples of Jesus.
The Sea of Tiberias
John 21:1-25… After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; but he made the manifestation in this way. 2 There were in company Simon Peter and Thomas, who was called The Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them: “I am going fishing.” They said to him: “We also are coming with you.” Out they went and got aboard the boat, but during that night they caught nothing. 4 However, just as it was getting to be morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not, of course, discern that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them: “Young children, YOU do not have anything to eat, do YOU?” They answered “No!” to him. 6 He said to them: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and YOU will find [some].” Then they cast it, but they were no longer able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus used to love said to Peter: “It is the Lord!” Hence Simon Peter, upon hearing that it was the Lord, girded about himself his top garment, for he was naked, and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not a long way from land, only about three hundred feet away, dragging the net of fishes. 9 However, when they disembarked onto land they beheld lying there a charcoal fire and fish lying upon it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them: “Bring some of the fish YOU just now caught.” 11 Simon Peter, therefore, went on board and drew the net to land full of big fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them. But although there were so many the net did not burst. 12 Jesus said to them: “Come, take YOUR breakfast.” Not one of the disciples had the courage to inquire of him: “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after his being raised up from the dead. 15 When now, they had breakfasted, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Feed my lambs.”16 Again he said to him, a second time: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Shepherd my little sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time: “Simon son of John, do you have affection for me?” Peter became grieved that he said to him the third time: “Do you have affection for me?” So, he said to him: “Lord, you know all things; you are aware that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him: “Feed my little sheep. 18 Most truly I say to you, When you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk about where you wanted. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and another [man] will gird you and bear you where you do not wish.” 19 This he said to signify by what sort of death he would glorify God. So, when he had said this, he said to him: “Continue following me.” 20 Upon turning about Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus used to love following, the one who at the evening meal had also leaned back upon his breast and said: “Lord, who is the one betraying you?”21 Accordingly, when he caught sight of him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this [man do]?”22 Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” 23 In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple that bears witness about these things and that wrote these things, and we know that the witness he gives is true. 25 There are, in fact, many other things also which Jesus did, which, if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose, the world itself could not contain the scrolls written.
The sea of Tiberius and the sea of Galilee are one and the same place. Also, most of the disciples grew up and worked on the sea as fishermen there. According to the apostle John this is about the third time Jesus has appeared to his main disciples. Once again, the apostle John admits that not all things are written down in detail because the world would not be able to contain the scrolls.
Mountain in Galilee
Matthew 28:16-20… However, the eleven disciples went into Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them, 17 and when they saw him they did obeisance, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
Jesus called a private meeting of his 11 disciples into the mountain of Galilee. We are not told of all the things that Jesus spoke to them but only about what was necessary to know, that is that all authority had been given to our Lord Jesus Christ and that they had a commission to preach and teach. Why do you think it was necessary for Jesus to continue to encourage his disciples?
Jesus Ascension
Acts 1:1-14… The first account, O Theophilus, I composed about all the things Jesus started both to do and to teach, 2 until the day that he was taken up, after he had given commandment through holy spirit to the apostles whom he chose. 3 To these also by many positive proofs he showed himself alive after he had suffered, being seen by them throughout forty days and telling the things about the kingdom of God. 4 And while he was meeting with them he gave them the orders: “Do not withdraw from Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which YOU heard from me; 5 because John, indeed, baptized with water, but YOU will be baptized in holy spirit not many days after this.” 6 When, now, they had assembled, they went asking him: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them: “It does not belong to YOU to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction; 8 but YOU will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon YOU, and YOU will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” 9 And after he had said these things, while they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their vision. 10 And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, also, look! two men in white garments stood alongside them, 11 and they said: “Men of Galilee, why do YOU stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was received up from YOU into the sky will come thus in the same manner as YOU have beheld him going into the sky.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from a mountain called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, being a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 So, when they had entered, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were staying, Peter as well as John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus and Simon the zealous one, and Judas [the son] of James. 14 With one accord all these were persisting in prayer, together with some women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
The disciple Luke also wrote the account of the Acts of the Apostles and at the time of Jesus Ascension there was more people than just the 11 disciples present, and these became the eyewitnesses that had the work of testimony for the things they had seen and heard. They were there on the Mount of Olives close to Jerusalem, from there Jesus ascended into heaven. They could now repeat how they had seen the miracles and the teachings of Jesus, the resurrection and now his ascension.
Jesus had been presenting himself for over 40 days since his resurrection, now the time had come for the celebration of Pentecost.
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-36… Now while the day of the [festival of] Pentecost was in progress they were all together at the same place, 2 and suddenly there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. 3 And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed about, and one sat upon each one of them, 4 and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance. 5 As it was, there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, reverent men, from every nation of those under heaven. 6 So, when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Indeed, they were astonished and began to wonder and say: “See here, all these who are speaking are Galileans, are they not? 8 And yet how is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, and Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the [district of] Asia, 10 and Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya, which is toward Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues about the magnificent things of God.” 12 Yes, they were all astonished and were in perplexity, saying one to another: “What does this thing purport to be?” 13 However, different ones mocked at them and began to say: “They are full of sweet wine.” 14 But Peter stood up with the eleven and raised his voice and made this utterance to them: “Men of Judea and all YOU inhabitants of Jerusalem, let this be known to YOU and give ear to my sayings. 15 These [people] are, in fact, not drunk, as YOU suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. 16 On the contrary, this is what was said through the prophet Joel, 17 “And in the last days,” God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and YOUR sons and YOUR daughters will prophesy, and YOUR young men will see visions and YOUR old men will dream dreams; 18 and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; 20 the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazareneʹ, a man publicly shown by God to YOU through powerful works and portents and signs that God did through him in YOUR midst, just as YOU yourselves know, 23 this [man], as one delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, YOU fastened to a stake by the hand of lawless men and did away with. 24 But God resurrected him by loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to continue to be held fast by it. 25 For David says respecting him, ‘I had Jehovah constantly before my eyes; because he is at my right hand that I may never be shaken. 26 On this account my heart became cheerful, and my tongue rejoiced greatly. Moreover, even my flesh will reside in hope; 27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your loyal one to see corruption. 28 You have made life’s ways known to me, you will fill me with good cheer with your face.’ 29 “Men, brothers, it is allowable to speak with freeness of speech to YOU concerning the family head David, that he both deceased and was buried and his tomb is among us to this day. 30 Therefore, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one from the fruitage of his loins upon his throne, 31 he saw beforehand and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he forsaken in Hades nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God resurrected; of which fact we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore because he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promised holy spirit from the Father, he has poured out this which YOU see and hear. 34 Actually David did not ascend to the heavens, but he himself says, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”’36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom YOU impaled.”
What do we know?
We know that Jesus fulfilled all the spring festival observances in his life, death, and resurrection. The disciples were figuratively eating the bread of affliction during the festival of unleavened bread as it were.
Jesus also had to continue to strengthen his disciples. He kept manifesting himself during that 40-day period before sitting at the throne of God. Now the disciples could have memories to reflect upon. These were the touchstones that help keep their faith alive.
Now we have Pentecost coming up fast. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit would officially begin the ministry of disciple making. This manifestation proved it: Jesus was now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.
What do we expect to happen in the future? The fall festivals of God have not been fulfilled as of yet. We have the blowing of the trumpets. We also have the day of Atonement. Next, we have the Festival of Booths as the residing with God. We then have the Solemn Assembly.
These events will not quietly pass by without people taking notice. We who believe and know Jesus Christ is coming and will manifest himself to the world and fulfill these fall festivals and events fully.
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