Jesus’ appearances after the first day to His ascension.   There is another five here and yet another six plus after the ascension.

“And, after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst. . .”     John 20:26. 

This is the sixth appearance of Jesus in His resurrected glorified body.  This too would have been on a Sunday evening.  Accounts of this sixth appearance can be found in John 20:26-31 and 1 Cor. 15:5.

The seventh appearance comes in John 21 to the seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias (Galilee).  This is where the apostles were fishing and catching nothing Jesus told them to cast their net on the other side.  Also in verse 14 He shows us that we can eat in the glorified body.  This was the third time Jesus showed Himself to the apostles.

The eighth time was to the apostles and 500 brethren. This is found at the end of Matt. 28 and 1 Cor. 15:6.  Paul gives a quick account of appearances between verses 5 and 8. 

Ninth time was to James, Christ’s half brother. 1 Cor. 15:7

Tenth time was at His ascension in Mk. 16:19-20, Lk. 24:44-53, and Acts 1:3-12.

Christ’s recorded appearances after His ascension.

11. To Stephen, at his stoning Acts 7:55.

12. To Paul at his conversion in Acts 9:3,17, 1 Cor. 15:8.

13. To Paul at the Temple in Jerusalem in Acts 22:18.

14. To Paul later in Jerusalem in Acts 23:11.

15. To Paul in Corinth in 2 Cor. 12:1-4.

16. To John on the Isle of Patmos beginning with Rev. 1:10-19 and thereafter through most of the book of Revelation.

I have seen the Mel Gibson film, “The Passion of the Christ”. It is depicting a scene that is very tough for me to watch. I hate to even think of the torture that Christ went through for me. It was done only through His love for us, for I nor any one else has been or ever will be worthy of such a sacrifice. But this is not the apex of our Salvation or Joy. It is the resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle of Salvation. In 1 Cor. 15:14 Paul says without it all is vain. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”This is the victory for all Christians is through Christ. Col. 2:12-13. Victory over death. Victory over hell. Victory over sin. This resurrection of Christ is our joy and the blessed hope for ourselves.

Remember that all this was God’s plan. Matt. 26:56. “But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” And in Acts 3:18. “But those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.” God revealed in His word through prophecy spoken up to 1000 years before this event. Proving that God’s word will happen, that His plan will be fulfilled and that only God can predict the future infallibly.

Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part one

This is the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus resurrection three days after His death, just as prophesied. To prove that He did raise from the grave He appeared ten times to Christians.

There is a time span of forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension. Jesus only appeared to His followers during this period of time and we have record of ten events. The first five were on the day of resurrection. If we combine the four narratives of the Gospel found in Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24 and John 20, we can get an overall or chronological perspective of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.

Jesus’ appearances that first day.

1. Early in the morning of the day following the Sabbath (Which would be our Sunday) the women went to the sepulcher of Jesus to anoint His body. They went even though there was a 2 ton stone over the opening of the tomb. Mk. 16:2-3. And if that wasn’t enough there were armed guards there seeing that no one would disturb that stone.

Four of these were Mary Magdalene, Mary (apostle James the less’ mother), both these listed in Mt. 28:1. Salome was added to the list in Mark 16:1. Joanne was added in Luke 24:10. These last two women are not the same. These Scriptures also tell of other women that were there, but their names were not mentioned. Many of these same women had been at the crucifixion and watched from afar. These women were not all traveling in the same group.

The stone removed.

All these women found the stone removed already, Mt. 28:2. The angel told them to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. They then went to tell the disciples. They would not be running to tell the disciples for they were heavy with many pounds of spices to anoint the body of Christ. Mt. 28:7.

Mary Magdalene found herself running to tell the disciples John 20:2. She finds Peter and John and tells them “they have taken away the Lord”. Meanwhile the other women have arrived at the sepulcher and find an empty tomb. The angel tells them that “Christ is Risen”, go tell the disciples. They leave to tell the disciples and on the way Jesus appears to them Mt. 28:9-10.

Now back to John 20 that tells us that at the tomb John arrives first, he is the youngest and can run faster. John stoops down and sees that the sepulcher is empty. Shortly Peter comes up and being the one who generally acted first and thought later, ran right on in without hesitation. Of course, not yet being “reminded” of Jesus’ words of His resurrection, being bewildered they left for home.

Now poor ol’ Mary Magdalene who had ran from the tomb to tell Peter and John tried to followed them back to the sepulcher. But after already running to the disciples now could not keep up at all with them going back to the tomb. By the time she arrives at the sepulcher Peter and John has already left. Mary is there by herself and remember that she has not by told by the angel that Jesus has been resurrected. She is distraught and starts sobbing. Looking into the tomb she then sees the two angels and ask her why is she crying? Mary replies, but does not wait for an answer, she just turns and leaves. I think this is when Jesus takes compassion and reveals Himself first to Mary, John 20:11-18. She then returns to the disciples to tell of the appearance.

Now the second appearance to all the other women that were carrying the spices back to tell then disciples, Jesus now appears to them, Matt. 28:8-10.

The first disciple Jesus appeared to was Peter. Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5. This would be the third appearance.

The fourth time would be on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to a couple of His followers in that evening. Mk. 16:12, Lk. 24:13-32.

The fifth time would be to the disciples when Thomas was not present. Mk. 16:14, Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20:19-25.

This five appearances of our Savior occurred on the first day. Between His first and second Jesus had to apply His blood at the Mercy Seat of the atonement of sin. This would begin His high priestly duty for the day of atonement. Remember that Christ is no longer restricted by the earthly laws. He is now in His glorified body, the resurrected body. Christ is no longer restricted by time, matter, gravity or any other physical laws. He now has put on the incorruptible and has been changed just Christians will in 1 Cor. 15:52. The only thing here is that when we do this it will be our first time. Remember that Christ was immortal before the first advent and now after His resurrection He will be again forevermore.

Just as the Bible prophesied that Jesus would be resurrected and it was so fulfilled. The same will be with Christians as stated in 1 Cor. 15:51-53, 1 Thess. 4:14-17.

The second resurrection includes the resurrection of damnation, the Great White Throne Judgment and the second death. There are several events to the first resurrection, but only one event for the second. As always the truth about these resurrection lies in the study of the Scripture. Not all questions are answered, but some answers are overlooked by many. Through the utilization of the Holy Spirit, prayer and diligent focus can many Scriptures be opened to the true seeker.

The Bible usually speaks of the two resurrections in the same text using opposite terms. Just and unjust, life and damnation, good and evil, etc. John 5: 28 says “all” will be resurrected. And in verse 29 “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

In 1 Cor. Chapter 15, Paul answers questions to the church at Corinth about the resurrections. He re-assured them of many resurrections to come. The question Paul answered here was if the resurrection had already happened or was going to be a future event. The one question not answered here is when. But Paul did enlightened us as to the order of the resurrections.

Both Paul and Peter tell us that the saved will be resurrected first and the unsaved last. 2 Peter 2:9, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” We can deduct from this that the resurrections will occur at different times. Also that the “godly” will be first and before the temptation. The Bible says that all will be resurrected and that all will be judged. And I believe that the judgment begins immediately after resurrection.

The Resurrection of the Damnation, unjust or wicked is found in Dan. 12:2; John 5:28; 2 Peter 2:9; Rev. 20:5-15. It is the last of the resurrections and commonly known as the second resurrection. It’s for all who have not been previously resurrected and judged, now it’s their turn. Remember that God gave all judgment to the Son. John 5:22. And Christ will judge these unsaved on the basis of their works at the last judgment which is called Great White Throne Judgment. Works consist of deeds, words, and thoughts. Notice that you are not judged for sin. That debt has already been paid.

The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20: 11-15). This topic is fairly large and cannot be fully covered here. I will deal with this subject individually at another time, but for now I want to just emphasize some main points.

1. This is the last resurrection event, the Great White Throne Judgment will be for all that have not previously been resurrected and judged. (John 5:28-29)

2. This will take place after the Millennium Age. (Rev. 20:7)

3. This Great White Throne Judgment will be for the unsaved. Remember salvation is by grace not works. But judgment will be based on works. (Rev. 20:12)

4. It will not take place on earth nor in heaven. (Rev. 20:11)

5. Anyone ever born will be here. (1 Thess. 4:17)

6. Christ will be the Judge. (John 5:22)

7. There is a set of books for judgment

8. All who are not found in the “Book of Life” will be cast into the “Lake of Fire” (Rev 20:15).

The Great White Throne is the last judgment which means that the last resurrection has just occurred. We are told by many that the only ones appearing at the Great White Throne will be the sinner. According to the Bible that is not true. Everyone that has ever been born will be there. Of course, the unsaved will be there as they have not been judged yet. Christ will be there since He is the judge, and He was also born. All Saints were born and they will be there, for we are to be ever with the LORD.

But I believe that there will be others at the Great White Throne Judgment that have lived during the Millennium. During those 1000 years many were born and some died. It does not make any sense to me that out of the billions of people that will be present at one time or another during the Millennium that every single one of them will be unsaved.

Lets consider a few things that happened during that 1000 years up to the Great White Throne. First, Who comes into the Millennium? Only the Saints? No! There are going to be many who has survived the Great Tribulation and they will go into the Millennium. Many babies are going to be born, and since Saints cannot be the parents, then there has to be unsaved present. A baby has to be born before he can die at the age of 100 years (Isa. 65:20). These ones born in the Millennium Age still have the first Adam nature as well, the sinful nature and will require salvation. This Millennium is God’s last chance for man to repent and come to Jesus as their Savior.

Second, how many people will be there? Rev. 20:8 tells us that “the number is as the sand of the sea”. Each of the unsaved here is a candidate for salvation.

(1.) With the innumerable amount of Saints there preaching, judging nations even judging angels. Having a glorified body must very impressive to someone who just has a physical body. Surely with all these things going for us, that at least one of the Saints will be able to lead at least one sinner to Christ in 1000 years. And remember that Christ, our Savior is right there ruling the entire world. Think of the multitude of evangelists there trying to win souls, Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Peter, Paul and millions of other Saints. I will be extremely difficult to convince that not one will be saved.

(2.) Or if perhaps during the entire 1000 years one child may die before they reach the age of accountability? Neither does it make any sense that not any children will be born at the end of the age and still be under the age of accountability at the time Gog and MaGog II.

(3.) what about all the people coming to seek Christ’s paths and ways in Isa. 2:3. “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

It will only take just one person to turning to Christ in any of these three scenarios. Just one, out of all the billions of people there to make sense for the “Book of Life” to be present in Rev. 20:12.

in addition to address another misconception about the Millennium Age. If you think that we are just going to be lying around eating grapes at feasts and parties during the Millennium, then you are getting your information from the wrong book. The great Commission does not end with the great tribulation. Re-read Mt. 28:19-20 and pay particular attention to the very last phrase, “even unto the end of the world.” This means the Great White Throne, for this is where man no longer has any control. Christ will ultimately take over completely. Up until this time Christ has been open to man’s talk and questioning, even during the Millennium, Mt. 7:21-23. Christ is no longer acting as a man, mediator or high priest, or king keeping the peace. Christ is now the ultimate judge, this the finish line for sin. Christ will completely and forever separate good from evil. Amen

Sidebar: I am reasonably sure that there will be a lot of lawyers there at the Great White Throne Judgment. But I do not believe Christ is going to let them yell “Objection, Christ your Honor”. And the lawyer require Christ to prove that He is telling the truth. Showing the Book of Life, and saying, “now you look through all the billions of names and you will see that your name is not there”. And if that didn’t work then they might try filibustering or perhaps question His right to judge, or even to question His authority. And that is definitely not going to happen. Any questioning of God has stopped. Even in Job’s elevated state with God, he was not allow to question God’s judgment. People are not going to be questioning Christ, they are just going to be listening and be on bended knees.

There have been thousands of years that questioning could have and did occur, but here at the Great White Throne man has already expended his last time out it is as if he has died again and can no longer change his mind to be saved or not.

The second death. The eternal state of the wicked. First of all lets discuss what eternal means. What does eternal mean for the Christian? Some words used to describe it is forever, everlasting, without end, etc. Why would eternal mean one thing for a Christian and another for unsaved? So when the Bible tells of those being put into the Lake of Fire “shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.”, why should we think in terms other than eternal.

We have a first death which is the physical death of the physical body because of Adam’s sin. “For as in Adam all die,” 1 Cor. 15:22. And in Rom. 5:12 “and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.”

After death the next thing that happens to the physical body is its resurrection. For the Saved Christ said, once resurrected “neither can they die any more;” Luke 20: 35-36. But for the unsaved, just the opposite, they have a second death. The resurrected body of the unsaved, that which they have while they are going through the judgment will be stripped away and they will be returned to the state of the rich man in Luke 16. All death, hades, and unsaved will be emptied into the lake of fire. Rev. 20: 14-15. The process of taking away the resurrected body, emptying into the lake of fire, and being forever banished from God is known as the second death. The everlasting torment and gnashing of teeth is what we now refer to as hell. It would be like being cast into and confined on the interior of the Sun, the body would burn away quickly, but with no escape the eternal “soulish” body like the rich man had would forever feel the heat.

All will be resurrected, some to life and some to the second death, and all will be judged by Christ as to their works here on earth. It’s your choice where you prefer to spend eternity. But rest assured that it WILL be in heaven or the lake of fire. The Bible tells us that “now is the day of salvation” 2 Cor. 6:2 because now is all you have. The past is gone and the future may not come for you. Repent of your sins, and ask Christ to come into your heart and be your Savior and Lord. Then let someone know about your decision to follow Christ.

The Spiritual resurrection is one referred to in John 5:24. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but is passed from death unto life.” John 11:25. “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Rom. 6:11. “Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Rom. 8:23. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Eph. 2:5. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath made us alive together with Christ by grace ye are saved.” Eph. 5:14. “Wherefore, he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Rom. 6:16. “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

As you can see by these Scriptures that to be unsaved is death. In order to pass from death to life one needs to be born again. Remember that a resurrection process is from death unto life. Some refer to this as regeneration. But this is not a reforming or change of the physical body itself, this is a creative act of the Holy Spirit to the spiritual body. John 1:13. “Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” In 2 Cor. 5:17-18 we find that once saved we are no longer to be known in the fleshly body, but the resurrected body. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God. . .”. Eph. 4:24 putting on the new man. Rom. Chapter 6 tells us how Christians being crucified with Christ are resurrected with Christ into a new body to a new life. Col. Chapter 3 tells of a new person in Christ.

Gal. 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I know that these are a lot of Scriptures, but there are really numerous others that will tell us how Christians are changed at the time of salvation. Christians now in this present world have two bodies, Paul tells us that we have the “old and the new” bodies. In Romans 6:6. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” More in verse 11, Eph. 4:22-24 and Col. 3:9.

John and Paul are telling Christians how we have been crucified and risen with Christ to a greater calling. Even though, by the people of this world, we are seen as being in the flesh because they are using a natural eye. The major difference and what is most important that we are not seen by God through a worldly eye. God being a Spirit views us through a spiritual eye. After salvation our worldly body is cloaked by Christ’s righteousness and this is what God sees when He looks at us. The righteousness of Christ give us a new appearance to God. And at the rapture our body will be permanently changed to that of a glorified righteous body.

To be restored is not to be confused with resurrected. Many people of the Bible were restored or brought back to life. That is life in a physical or worldly body just the same as when they died. Webster definition of restoration is a bring something back to its former position or condition. Back to a corruptible body.  Now restoration does not only apply to bringing back the dead, it also is used in the Bible to tell about withered body parts such as in Mark 3:5 and blindness Mk. 8:3.

Restoration also applies to other things in the Bible such as a man’s position, land or even spiritual things like joy, or a blessing. Another restoration was promised by the prophets, the restoration of Israel,  which will be covered in other writings.

Restoration is something that is hoped for just like United States hopes that after Obama’s Inaugural address we will be restored.

Now that I have explained restoration.  We can compare where it is confused with resurrection when talking about people who were restored to life. Elisha in 2 Kings 4:35 raised the Shunammite’s son. But after reading this account continue to read 2 Kings 8:1 and you will find, “. . .whose son he had restored to life. . .” . Notice the word “restored”.  Even Elisha’s body restores life once more to a dead body in 2 Kings 13:21.

Jesus also restored life to the dead in Mt. 9:25 where He raised the maid; a widow’s son in Luke 7:15; a ruler’s daughter in Mk. 5:41; Lazarus in John 11:43; and the one in which our salvation rests found in John 10:17-18 where Jesus raised Himself. Mt. 27:52-53 where Jesus brought back with Him those in the grave. Yes, these last two are actually resurrections. But because people just naturally read from one event right into the next and the distinction between the two can easily be missed.

When Jesus raised Himself and became the “First of the First Fruits” (which is the first of four parts of the “First Resurrection”) all these resurrected bodies will no longer be subject to death. Where on the other hand the ones restored to life, their bodies will face death or corruption again. All those resurrected will have new bodies, bodies that are not corruptible. For more explanation on this subject read The First Resurrection part five.

Peter also raised a woman from the dead in Acts 9:41. Paul raised Eutychus from the dead in Acts 20:9-12.

Remember that all these “restored” back to life is to their original condition.   That of a worldly carnal body and it will see physical death again. This death is not to be confused with the “second death” for the second death is reserved for the wicked at the Great White Throne Judgment. More on this subject in The Second Resurrection part six.

The word “Apostle” (Greek apostolos) means a messenger, one sent forth with orders.

The original twelve–Andrew and brother Simon (Peter); James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; Philip and Nathanael (Bartholomew); Matthew (Levi); Thomas; James (Alphaeus’ son); Simon the Canaanite (Zelotes); Lebbaeus (Thaddaes)[Judas]; Judas Iscariot.

Matthias (Acts 1:26); Barnabas(Acts 14:14); James the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19); Paul (Act 14:14), and Christ ( Heb. 3:1).

History has it that apostles died this way.

James killed by a sword. (Acts 12:2).

Andrew crucified on an X cross.

Peter crucified up-side down.

Matthew martyred in Ethiopia.

Thomas martyred with a spear.

James (Alphaeus’ son) sawed in pieces.

Lebbeaus (Thaddaeus) [Judas] killed with arrows.

Simon the Zealot was crucified.

Philip hung.

Nathanael flayed alive.

Judas Iscariot suicide.

John died a natural death while pastoring at Ephesus.

I feel that Paul was the twelfth apostle.

Signs of an apostle;

1. They were chosen directly by the Lord Himself, or through the Holy Spirit.

2. They had “sign-gifts” and miraculous powers. Acts 5:15-16, 16:18, 28:8-9.

3. Announce the kingdom.

4. Authority to deal with men’s sins.

5. Judges over the twelve tribes.

6. See the resurrected Lord.

Apostles are they only with the first generation Christians? Refer to #1, 2, 5, and 6 above.

The hierarchy of Christ’s body, (1 Cor. 12:27-30). “And God hat set some in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. . . “

In Eph. 4:7-12 where gifts to the Church body are listed, again “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the prfecting of the saints. . .”

The apostle’s job was to start the Church. The apostle had special powers to “jump start the heart” of Jesus’ body, the Church. This job ended with John when he penned for us the “Rest of the Story.” Nothing more was to be added or taken away from the Inspiration. And since none has seen the resurrected Christ since that time, none has risen the dead, none has been appointed by Christ to be judges over Israel, conclusion, no more apostles.