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→Return of Jesus from heaven to earth
See [[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]
See [[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]
== Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ ==
[[Image:Jesus resurrected.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"The [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|Resurrection]]" by Carl Heinrich Bloch.]]
''See also:'' [[Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ]] and [[Historicity of Jesus]]
Key evidences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ include:
'''1.''' '''Early accounts.''' The sources for Jesus are remarkably early, especially in comparison to sources for other ancient historical figures. The gospels were written relatively soon after the resurrection.<ref>[https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/historical-accuracy-of-the-bible/question10-when-were-the-gospels-written.cfm WHEN WERE THE FOUR GOSPELS WRITTEN?], Blueletterbible.org</ref> Most of the [[Apostle Paul|Saint Paul]]’s letters were written previously to 60 A.D. Furthermore, Paul records an ancient creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, which notes the appearances of Jesus to both individuals and groups; this creed can be traced back to within a few years of the resurrection itself (this creed dates to 30-35 A.D.).<ref name="ResEvidence">[https://www.moralapologetics.com/wordpress/2019/4/21/9-evidences-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus 9 Evidences for the Resurrection of Jesus], Moral Apologetics website</ref>
'''2.''' '''Multiple eyewitness accounts.''' There are 11 accounts of Jesus appearing after the resurrection to individuals/groups.<ref name="ResEvidenceTGC"/> According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, over 500 people saw Jesus alive after his resurrection, in addition to Peter, James, Paul, and the rest of Jesus's disciples. At the time Paul reported these events around 55 A.D., many of the individuals Jesus appeared to were still alive and could be spoken to (this was approximately 25 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection).<ref name="ResEvidence"/>
'''3.''' '''Extrabiblical Christian, Jewish and pagan accounts of the resurrection.''' For example, [[Josephus]], [[Ignatius of Antioch]], [[Justin Martyr]], etc.<ref name="ResEvidence"/><ref name="ResEvidenceTGC">[https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/10-concise-pieces-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/ 10 Concise Pieces of Evidence for the Resurrection], The Gospel Coalition website</ref>
'''4.''' '''Embarrassing details.''' Women's testimony was considered unreliable at the time of Jesus. The gospel accounts of Jesus's resurrection report that women were the first people to see Jesus appear from the tomb after the resurrection.<ref name="ResEvidence"/>
'''5.''' '''Enemy attestation.''' The Jews and Romans both claimed that Jesus's body was stolen as an excuse to explain away the resurrection. This however was not a credible excuse. The Roman seal was placed over the tomb of Jesus. The seal over the tomb designated that the tomb was occupied and both the power and authority of Rome stood behind the seal. Breaking the Roman seal was punishable by death.<ref>[https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_247.cfm Don Stewart :: What Precautions Were Taken to Keep the Tomb of Jesus Secure?], BlueLetterBible.org website</ref>).<ref name="ResEvidence"/>
'''6.''' '''The empty tomb.''' The Romans, Jews, and Christians knew where Jesus was buried, but his body was never produced.<ref name="ResEvidence"/>
'''7.''' '''Explosive emergence and growth of the early church.''' <ref name="ResEvidence"/><ref>[https://apologeticspress.org/the-early-church-was-very-committed-to-reasoning-with-others-about-the-christian-faith-they-were-committed-to-christian-apologetics-and-the-church-g-5308/ Apologetics and the growth of the early church], Eric Lyons, Apologetics Press website</ref> See: [[Historical examples of the exponential growth of Christianity]]
'''8.''' '''Transformation of the apostles.''' The apostles of Jesus were transformed from being timid to being bold witnesses who were eventually martyred. Eyewitnesses don't die for a lie.<ref name="ResEvidence"/><ref name="ResEvidenceTGC"/> It is almost universally accepted by historians that the disciples genuinely and firmly believed they had encountered the resurrected Jesus.<ref>[https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-points-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/ 4 Points of Evidence for the Resurrection], Crossway website</ref>
'''9.''' '''The conversion of the Apostle Paul.''' Paul was transformed from being a fervent persecutor of Christianity who killed Christians to being its most ardent supporter. Paul said he had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus post Jesus's resurrection.<ref>[https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-points-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/ 4 Points of Evidence for the Resurrection], Crossway website</ref>
'''10.''' '''Expected event.''' Jesus foretold his resurrection ((That is why the tomb was guarded) and Old Testament prophecies alluded to it via [[Messiah|messianic]] prophecies.<ref name="ResEvidence"/><ref>[https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/resurrection-predicted The Resurrection Predicted], Ligonier Ministries</ref> Prior to the resurrection, Jesus was known as a miracle worker.<ref>[https://www.josh.org/christ-miracle-matters/ Christ, the Miracle Worker: Do His Miracles Matter?], [[Josh McDowell]] Ministries website</ref> See: [[Bible prophecy]]
==Jesus' Self Consciousness==
==Jesus' Self Consciousness==