The Empty Tomb as the Grave Couldn't Hold Jesus Christ's Body

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

Walking with Jesus to Golgotha

 

The events leading to the journey to Golgotha happened very fast. The enemy will lose no time attempting to pursue a perceived foe. Jesus was arrested in the early hour in Gethsemane Garden (Mark 14:37, 14:41) and about six hours later put on the cross, (Mark 16:25). In this short period, He had been marched from this Garden back to the other side of Jerusalem and examined severally. He was examined first by the High Priest Annas, then by the Sanhedrin presided over by the High Priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57, Mark 14:55) and then taken to Pilate (Luke 23:1), to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:7), then back to Pilate (Luke 23:11) again. Pilate finally sentenced Him and handed Him over to the soldiers. They dressed Him up as a mock-king, then made to drag His cross to Golgotha to be crucified.

Several years later Apostle Peter wrote to the pilgrims, including those coming to SCOAN from all parts of the world today that, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time", (1 Peter 1:3-5).

We note that throughout this trial Jesus never complained, even with all the torture and great humiliation. Jesus does what he asks of His followers then and today. He takes on the difficult challenges of life knowing that in going through the difficult challenges we grow in faith and hope in the Lord. Jesus literally, picks up His cross and goes forward on the journey to Golgotha knowing what lies ahead. Showing the world that God’s love for all was too important to stop the journey. Prophet TB Joshua teaches his views that challenges are the soils on which faith grows. Jesus goes through this to secure our salvation.

At the cross Jesus finally said "It is finished", (John 19:30). We have no doubt that Jesus knew what His last words ought to be here in this life. He knew the power those final words would have for generations still to come. He had great purpose in them, which still breathe such life and meaning for our lives today. Jesus has reached His destination and all the scriptures fully fulfilled, in Him and only in Him. Happy Easter Season. Emmanuel.

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Little Girl Has Shocking Vision of Jesus In TB Joshua’s Church

TB Joshua Ministries (February-06-2020) “JESUS IS COMING SOON.

The video of a 12-year-old girl who had a ‘vision’ of Jesus Christ during a midweek service at TB Joshua’s popular church in Lagos has gone viral.

During a service known as the ‘Living Water Service’ at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in which congregants come forward to receive water they believe to be anointed, immediately after receiving her water, a young girl suddenly cried out and gesticulated wildly.

“There is a Man there; He is tall! He is wearing a white garment,” exclaims the girl who later identified herself as Gift from Anambra State. 

According to her, He said, “Repent; I am coming soon. Bring people to My church; bring more souls.”

Gift then narrated how she witnessed angels and 24 elders “bowing down and singing, ‘Holy, Holy is the Lamb’.”

Throughout this period, Gift’s eyes remained closed as she vividly expressed that “His face is shining” and “the light is too bright”.

Suddenly, the young girl crumpled to the floor and appeared to ‘awaken’ from the trance. Bemused at the attention surrounding her, Gift began crying as she recounted again what she had just witnessed. 

“On His head was a big crown and He was sitting on a throne,” she recounted, adding that she saw smoke surrounding the Heavenly scene she witnessed. 

The young girl was shocked that no-one else saw what she had seen so vividly. 

“People are going on the wrong track; we should bring them back to the Church,” she emotionally pleaded, adding that she needed guidance from Pastor TB Joshua on why she would be the recipient of such a stunning revelation. 

“There is no excuse for being surprised by the uncertainty of coming events,” Joshua stated on YouTube when posting the viral clip. 

“The uncertainty of the hour of Christ’s return calls for vigilance and watchfulness. Let us not wait for another sign from Heaven to convince us of the paramount importance of making the most out of life today because only today is our own, tomorrow is not.”

The clip has been watched over 400,000 times since being published to YouTube and Facebook yesterday.

This is not the first time for someone to have had such a revelation as several months ago, a lady – who said she was a sceptic – also stated she had a vision of Jesus during a similar service at Joshua’s church.

Ihechukwu Njoku is a freelance Nigerian writer…