Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Matthew. chapter 28

1 ¶ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

The day starts in the evening. There are three days from Wednesday until 6pm to Saturday into Sunday morning, sometime during which Christ arose.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Luke 24:1 ¶ Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

These are called angels in verse 23. Angels are appearances of men. Angels have a sex and are not sexless beings.

John 21: 1 ¶ The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Matthew only mentions one of the angels.

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

This is the greatest verse in the Bible. If you have ever lost anyone to death you will understand. If you are old and you are sick or dying you will understand. The problem with living isn’t money, fame, constipation, heartbreak, or hunger. It’s death. Death comes as the result of sin. Christ has conquered it by virtue of His resurrection. Think of it.

Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

If you don’t believe this verse you can’t be a Christian and, truthfully, to even be one would be foolish.


7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

In other accounts we will see that they weren’t believed. They are several works that harmonize the gospels in time order and some are better than others. I won’t quote each gospel’s account, told from a different perspective, because I’ll hopefully get to each of the gospel accounts. There is a lot more information given in some accounts but Matthew is a gospel written specifically to the Jews and with doctrinal application primarily to the Tribulation and the Millennial reign of Christ.

9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 ¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Government authorities have never stopped lying. Notice how the priests, the religious elite, are manipulating the government authorities.

14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

To this day, many Jews believe this.

16 ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Jesus is now going to meet with the disciples in Galilee on a hillside. He gives other commissions to the disciples that are mentioned in other gospels.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

This is telling the disciples to go out and reach ALL nations, not just the Jews as was ordered previously. The commission to the disciples has changed from just the house of Israel to ALL nations. When you put all three of these names together you get “the Lord”. The name of “the Lord” is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. That is gentile baptism. Acts 2:38 is somewhat different being applied to the Jews.

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Look to the commandments which Jesus gave the apostles after they went out to the Jews. The word world here is a reference to the world system, not the physical earth. Notice the progression here, where Jesus starts out saying;

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

There is an overlap in Matthew that can confuse you if you don’t rightly divide it. Notice the references to the Gentiles as a hint of what is to come.

Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Do you notice that something has changed? This is called The Great Commission. Read the first part of the book of Acts and the end of Luke. You can get really messed up in the first part of Acts, not being able to discern the crossover and overlap between dispensations. Acts is a transitional book as we will see.

Not being able or willing to rightly divide the Bible’s dispensations can make you force the Bible to contradict itself. Beware.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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