Death and Resurrection Mystery

Scripture: Matthew 27 v 50 - 53:
"Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the Earth did quake and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."

Between the death of Jesus and His resurrection three days later, much was happening that never gets preached about. We have this small portion of scripture that needs some Light. 

Firstly, the thief on the cross next to Jesus, to whom He said, This day you will be in Paradise with Me, would have gone bouncing into Abraham's bosom with very good news. This Paradise was a compartment of Hell for the saints who died before Jesus opened the way to the Father. 

A multitude of believers including Moses, Elijah,  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, David, Isaiah and all the prophets were there waiting for this very day. Right behind the thief came Jesus Himself, having beaten the devil and taken from him the keys of Hell and Death. 

The power was so great that not only did the huge rock covering Jesus' tomb roll away pushed by the Angel of the Lord; but all the graves of the faithful were likewise opened and the old saints were clothed with resurrection bodies, like Jesus.  They were changed to be like Him. They walked through Jerusalem and were seen by many! 

Then Jesus took them to Heaven to present them to His Father. In John 20 v 17 Jesus tells Mary Magdalene, who was first to see Him in His resurrection body, Don't touch Me Mary for I am not yet ascended to My Father. And in Ephesians 4 v 8 - 10 - Wherefore he said when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive. The saints of old were held captive in Paradise until He came to take them to Heaven. 
As Paul said just before his death, That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection! Yes, we need this knowledge and it has expanded over the centuries like a spiritual tsunami, gathering up souls and bringing hope and courage to every generation. 

The final power of this tsunami is coming closer every day to sweep more than a billion souls into Heaven. It is unstoppable and more powerful than any earthly tsunami. It is the full, unleashed resurrection power of Jesus Christ. The mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. The grace and mercy of our loving Father rejoicing that His children are safely home. 

Whatever you do, don't miss this! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, words seem so inadequate to the actual experience of Your anointing upon me today. The joy of Jesus is exploding inside me and I want to send it to every place to stir up those who slumber and sleep; to provoke them to go forth into the highways and byways to bring in this immense harvest of souls.  The joy of the Lord is my strength and to those who are weak, find the joy of the Lord! In Jesus' name. Amen.