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To the Editor:
Easter Sunday also known by Christians as Resurrection Sunday celebrates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Biblical archaeologist Titus Kennedy said there is archaeological proof of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Atheist Lee Strobel, a skeptic and a legal journalist, looked at the evidence for the resurrection to prove his wife was wrong to become a Christian, but the evidence was so strong Strobel became a Christian himself. Strobel said the facts speak for themselves!
Dr. Josh McDowell was asked by his students why he couldn’t refute Christianity. He said, “For a simple reason: I’m unable to explain away an event in history – the resurrection of Jesus.” Dr. McDowell gave some facts why historians believe in the resurrection of Jesus. They are: 1. Roman guard deserts: This was an offense requiring the death penalty. Guards could be put to death for falling asleep or deserting. 2. Two-ton stone moved: The stone was described as having been rolled up a slope away from the entrance of the tomb. 3. Broken Roman seal: Everyone feared breaking of the seal. It meant automatic execution by crucifixion. 4. Empty tomb: Both Roman and Jewish traditions and sources admit an empty tomb. Gamaliel on the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, said, “The rise of the Christian movement was God’s doing; He could not have done that if the tomb was occupied or if the Sanhedrin knew the whereabouts of Jesus’ body.” The Jewish leaders would have paid any price to get the body of Jesus to destroy Christianity. 5. Over 500 witnesses: The Bible says Jesus was seen by more than 500 people after rising from the dead. 6. Lives changed: Thomas and James didn’t believe Jesus rose from the dead until they saw him. 7. Lives given: Many gave their lives because they wouldn’t deny Jesus had risen from the dead. People won’t die for something they don’t believe in. Knowing our Christian faith is based on solid historical facts of the empty tomb and the risen Jesus we can celebrate the most glorious important and life changing morning in world history – Easter! The disciples were completely transformed by the resurrection of Jesus. An entire community of Jews willingly transformed their spiritual and sociological traditions and their national identity including Sabbath keeping. God provided the early church with a new pattern of worship through Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week, Jesus’ Sunday appearances and the Holy Spirit’s Sunday descent (Matt. 28; John 20; Acts 2 & 20; 1 Cor. 16). Jesus was and is the substance that fulfilled the symbol of the Sabbath. The Bible says, “do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, is found only in Jesus Christ” (Col. 2). Those who became Jews whether Rahab, Ruth or people of other nationalities were brought into a system of shadows pointing forward in time to the coming of the Messiah – Jesus.
With the coming of Jesus such Old Covenant requirements were no longer the point. They served as shadows (Col. 2). The day of worship was now a celebration of the “rest” we have through Jesus alone, who delivers us from sin and the grave. The day of resurrection had become the day of worship. Every day for Christians is the Lord’s day, however every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus!
In the future political leaders and globalists say they plan to prohibit travel on Sunday to help save gas and the earth. However, it’s an attack on Christianity. New cars are required to have a kill switch on them so the government can stop travel. This Easter we can travel and don’t have to practice social distancing so Bristol Motor Speedway is having a free Christian event on Easter from 4 to 6 p.m. with Tim Tebow, Phil Wickham and Cory Asbury.
The Bible says to attend church especially as the time of Jesus’ return draws near. So come to church and get on track before Jesus comes back and raptures Christians in the air. At Easter we reflect on the amazing love of Jesus for us. Celebrate God’s amazing rescue plan. Because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross we don’t have to practice social distancing with Jesus and God the Father. This Easter draw near to God and God will draw near to you! It’s not by works as Jehovah Witnesses, LDS, Mormons, Muslims and others believe. These religions aren’t based on evidence as Christianity is, but based on someone claiming he got info from angels. The Bible says in Galatians 1 that even if “an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you let him be accursed.” Faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on your behalf is the only thing that will save you from what’s coming. Are you bearing your sins, or have you accepted that Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Admit you are a sinner and need Jesus, the only Savior. Believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Call on or pray to Jesus to save you. The forgiveness of all your sins, reconciliation with God, sonship, eternal life, and heaven are yours for the taking. Today is the day of salvation. You’re not promised tomorrow. Get on the Ark (Jesus), because the flood (tribulation) is coming soon!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton