The Death And Resurrection

Of Lazarus

By

The Twelve Apostles

The Death Of Lazarus
One day, as Jesus and the twelve were in the silence in a home in Araba a messenger came and said, “Lord, Jesus, hear! Your friend in Bethany is sick, at the point of death. His sisters urge that you arise and come in haste.”

Then turning to the twelve, the Master said, “Behold, Lazarus has gone to sleep, and I must go and wake him up.”
And His disciples said, “What need to go if he has gone to sleep. He will awaken by and by?”
Then Jesus said, “It is the sleep of death. For Lazarus is dead.”

But Jesus did not haste to go. He stayed two days in Araba. And then He said, “The hour has come and we must go to Bethany.”
But his disciples urged Him not to go. They said, “The Israelites are waiting your return that they may take your life.”
And Jesus said, “Men cannot take my life till I have handed over to them my life. And when the time shall come I will myself lay down my life. That time is near, and God knows best. I must arise and go.”

And Thomas said, “Then we will also go. Yes, we will offer up our lives and die with Him.” And they arose and went.

Now, Mary, Martha, Ruth and many friends were weeping in their home when one approached and said, “The Lord has come.” Mary did not hear the words. But Ruth and Martha heard, and they arose and went to meet the Lord. He waited at the village gate. And when they met the Master, Martha said, “You are too late, for Lazarus is dead. If you had only been with us I know that he would not have died. But even now, I know that you have power over death. That by the sacred Word you may cause life to rise from death.”
And Jesus said, “Behold, for Lazarus shall live again.”

And Martha said, “I know that he will rise and live again when all the dead shall rise.”
And Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who has faith in me, even if he is dead, yet he shall live. And he who is alive, and has a living faith in me, shall never die. Do you believe what I have said?”
And Martha said, “Lord, I believe that you are come to manifest the Christ of God.”
The Jesus said, “Go back and call aside your sister, my mother and the prophetess, and say that I have come. And I will stay here by the gate till they have come to me.”

And Ruth and Martha did as Jesus told them, and in a little while the Marys and the prophetess came and met the Lord. And Mary said, “Why did you delay so much? If you had been with us, our dear brother, would not have died.”

Then Jesus went up to the house and when He saw the heavy grief of all, He was Himself stirred up with grief, and said, “Where is the tomb in which he lies?”
They said, “Lord, come and see.” And Jesus wept.

The people said, “Behold how Jesus loved this man!”
And others said, “Could not this Lord, who opened up the eyes of one born blind, have saved this man from death?”

Emotions

God has emotions of joy, love, and sense of loss. All your emotions of joy, love, etc, were inherited from God your Father. Therefore, in every situation and in everything, do not offend the Lord by going against His will.

The Resurrection Of Lazarus
But soon the mourners stood beside the tomb, a sepulchre hewn out of solid rock. A massive stone closed up the door. And Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
But Martha said, “Lord, is it well? Behold, our brother has been dead four days. The body must be in decay now, and is it well that we should see it now?”
The Lord replied, “Have you forgotten, Martha, what I said while we were at the village gate? Did I not say that you should see the glory of the Lord?”

And then they rolled the stone away. The flesh had not decayed. And Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “My Father-God, you who has ever heard my prayers, I thank Thee now, and that these multitudes may know that you have sent me forth, that I am thine and you are mine, make strong the Word of power.”
And then He spoke the Word, and in a voice that souls can comprehend, He said, “O Lazarus, awake!”
And Lazarus arose and came out of the tomb. The grave clothes were about him fast, and Jesus said, “Loose him and let him go.”

The people were amazed and multitudes confessed their faith in Him. And some went to Jerusalem and told the Pharisees about this resurrection of the dead.

Satan Blinds And Deceives The Leaders
The chief priests were confounded, and they said, “What shall we do? This man is doing many mighty deeds, and if we do not stay Him in His work, all men will look on Him as king, and through the Romans He may take the throne, and we will lose our place and power.” And then the chief priests and the Pharisees, in council, met and sought a plan by which they might put Him to death.

Caiaphas was the high priest then, and he came forth and said, “You men of Israel, do you not know the law?
Do you not know that in such times as these we may give up one life to save our nation and our laws?” Caiaphas did not know that he was a prophet, speaking out the words of truth. He did not know the time had come for Jesus to be offered up a sacrifice for every man, for Jew and Greek, and all the world. From that day forth, the Israelites conferred together every day, maturing plans to put the Lord to death.

Now, Jesus and the twelve did not remain in Bethany. But in the hills of Ephraim, upon the borders of Samaria, they found a home, and there abode for many days.

Many of the Israelites therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what He did, believed in him; but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let Him go on thus, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them, Ca′iaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient - advantageous and necessary - for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for humanity, and not for the Israelite nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered all over the world. So from that day on they took counsel how to put Him to death.

Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Israelites, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called E′phraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. John 11:45-54

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5

Explanations:

1. Jesus is the light of the world.

2. Also, He is the light of the universe.

3. A light is somebody who knows the Truth, teaches the Truth, provides solutions to the problems of humanity, and guides the teeming world populations in the paths of the righteousness.

4. Such a person can serve as a councillor, who provides guidance and prophecy in the world.

5. Whether Jesus is physically or spiritually present in the world or not, He is the light of the world. And indeed, the light of the Universe.

While The Sun Shines

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 11:9,10

Each time Jesus is both spiritually present and physically manifest in the midst of humanity, it is a great opportunity, because the presence Jesus makes things easy, very easy, for the children of God. Spiritual growth, progress and promotion take place very fast. Jesus was telling the Israelites to make use of the same good opportunity while He was in their midst. But many lost the opportunity, because they refused to believe in the FirstSon of God, who is God Almighty in the person of Jesus Christ.

The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:34-36

Explanations:

1. People should walk in the light, by accepting Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour, while time remains.

2. Already, the end time is over, and the unrepentant sinners shall be in the utter darkness inside the hell fire, wherein are sufferings and gnashing of teeth, because they failed to believe in the Messiah.

3. It was not God that hardened the hearts of people against knowing the Truth.

4. Rather, majority of humanity hardened their hearts by rejecting the end time messages and warnings from God.

5. For God does not lead people into temptation.

6. Instead, it is God who has been patiently working for the salvation of humanity, since the time of creation.

7. Learn from the true saints while they are still alive and here on earth with you

8. People could not understand the spiritual realities of life, because their spiritual eyes were not open, and because they failed to study Spiritual Science.

9. When a true saint is in the midst of humanity, people fail to listen to him and learn from him. But, when he has gone, when he has departed from this world, people start to praise him and to celebrate him. By then, it is too late for them to learn the truth from the saint. Do God’s work when you are young and strong.

10. People should do God’s work when they are young and strong, and not when they are old and weak.

11. Make use of every good and fitting opportunity to spread the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, because an opportunity comes but once.

12. During the lifetime of Jesus, it was easier to spread the gospel, because few religions were in existence then.

13. Today, it is harder to spread the gospel because so many religions are in existence, with numerous types of churches, ministries and fellowships, all of which have created much confusion, lies and fabrications. Their teachings and practices are just man-made laws and doctrines and routines.

14. Now, the world entering a new era, the time of perfection, and there is still much to hear, to learn and to do.

15. Even now, the world have not heard the Gospel of Truth and Salvation, because humanity have been following the Gospel of Deceit, which is the handiwork of the antichrist and fabrications by Roman Empire, later called Roman Catholic Church or no Catholic Church.

Jesus Is Resurrection And Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25,26

Apostle Matthew: Myself is asking you, what have you, Chukwudi, understood?

Chukwudi: It shows that Jesus is the saviour.

Apostle Matthew: Yourself answered very well. Another point is that people should not be in hurry. Let them not be in haste to do something. All the things that the Holy Spirit asked us to write … various teachings and wisdom, which the Holy Spirit wants the present and modern generations to know.

The Head: That is how the Yahweh's Book Of Life is being written. After writing an event or incident, all the necessary explanations are added.

Apostle Matthew: Son of man, why did Jesus make Lazarus to rise from the death?

The Head: It is to show to the world that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and life.

Apostle Matthew: Son of man, yourself answered very well.

Why did Mary and Martha hurry to put Lazarus’s body inside the grave?

The Head: In their own understanding, they saw Lazarus as dead. But, Jesus was making them to know that the death was to demonstrate the power and glory of God the Father.

Apostle Matthew: Son of man, you answered very well.

Divine Emotions

Jesus wept. John 11:35

It should not surprise you that Jesus wept. The emotions of joy, love and pleasure, these things were inherited by humanity from God their Father.

Why Jesus Christ Wept

Apostle Matthew: You read that Lazarus died?

The Head: Yes.

The Head: And you read that Jesus Christ wept?

The Head: Yes.

Apostle Matthew: Why did Jesus Christ wept?

Because of the death of lazarus?

The Head: Yes, that is what the bible authors wrote.

Apostle Matthew: Jesus Christ did not weep because of the death of Lazarus.

The Head: He wept because humanity do not know many things which they should know, and are not doing many things which they should be doing. Many people are not even coming close to many exalted positions prepared for them in heaven. Their everyday efforts are like wasted years, and like misdirected winds, which are powerful but useless.

Apostle Matthew: Humanity supposed to use their conscience, as human beings, to calculate, to consider and understand, it. Jesus Christ told Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

And He was weeping?

The Head: He was not weeping because of the death of Lazarus. He was crying because there were, and are still, many numerous things to teach humanity, who are the children of God. And of the many teachings already given, many people do not afford time to learn or to utilize the teachings.

Apostle Matthew: Son of man, yourself answered very well.

More Reasons Why Jesus Christ Wept

Apostle Matthew: Number 1, the work which Lazarus came to the world to do was not yet complete. And if Jesus Christ did not raise him up from death, he would still have to come back to the earth, reincarnate, to continue and complete the work.

Number 2, the words of Mary and Martha were too disappointing, because they were seeing the various glorious works, which Jesus Christ was doing. But on their own day, their faith was quenched like fire, was lacking.

Number 3, the Pharisees and Sadducees were about to kill Lazarus, before he died.

Number 4, even if Lazarus was raised from the dead, the Pharisees and Sadducees would still want to kill him.

Number 5, all things were working against the work of God.

Is it true or false?

The Head: It is true.

Apostle Matthew: Were all these things making the work of God to move forward, progress, or not?

The Head: All of them were hindering the works of God.

Apostle Matthew: That was why Jesus Christ wept, that humanity were making the work of God to be very hard and to last for very long time.

The Head: Humanity turn an easy work of one day into many years of hardships and sufferings. Even so without rendering any assistance to those who are labouring to do the work of God.

Apostle Matthew: Himself, Jesus Christ, His works were made complicated, very hard, with many temptations in various ways and in various places. That is why ourselves say, it is not the day somebody meets temptation or violence that he will start to do the work of God.

The Head: Many people were doing God’s work in their previous lifetimes, and have come again here on earth, reincarnated, to continue from where they stopped or to complete the work.

Fear Not

Apostle Matthew: Son of man, the children of God should not fear, when God calls them to come close and join in doing work, so that He will bless them.

The Same God Almighty

“ … that they may believe that thou, Yahweh, the Lord of the Hosts, didst send me as your very self.” John 11:42

It is God Almighty that came to the world in the person of Jesus Christ.

Very Important Lessons

1. Mary and Martha are good examples, exemplary models.

2. The way they welcomed Jesus is the way humanity supposed to have welcomed the man who saw God face to face, before more than (40) times, and now more than seventy (70) times.

3. The way Mary and Martha were telling Jesus their problems shows the way people should have come to the man who saw God face to face, for solutions to their problems, more especially for salvation.

4. But, majority were proud, boastful, selfish and disobedient. Even so were the religious leaders, who should lead their followers to the Fountain of Life.

5. Jesus wept because people were deeply lost to the Truth and Spirit, and because ignorance is bad, destructive and blinding, though it only seems to exist and does not.

6. If you want your prayers for people to quickly reach the throne of God, you must have sympathy and love for them. You must be concerned with their welfare.

7. Always let your prayers be short, simple and to the point.

8. Daniel’s prayer was answered on the first day he started to pray, and not after twenty-one days when Gabriel appeared to him.

Hide Yourself When Necessary

Apostle Matthew: During our time, ourselves did what?

When the romans were persecuting the church, ourselves left. Some people said that we hid in various places. It was not hiding, because it was the Angels that revealed to us the various places to go to and stay, so that ourselves would be able to complete our works, and for us to prevent various evils before we concluded our works. That was the reason.

The children of God have to learn and hide themselves.

If Jesus Christ had not done so, Satan wanted to put his hand, involve himself, and disorganize the work of salvation. The children of God have to know this. They should be considerate in action.

Let them pray to God for powers of the Holy Spirit, for everything they do, which shall direct them, for them to know where they should go to, what they should say and what they should do.

How Many Times

How many times did resurrection take place during the bible?

A person who does not carefully study the bible may say resurrection took place once, after the death of Jesus. But that is not true, because many resurrection had taken place.

Elisha brought the son of the …woman back to life. Jesus brought several dead people, including Laz′arus, back to life. St Paul De Evangelist also brought a fallen and dead child back to life. All the various cases of resurrection show that truly, Jesus is the resurrection and life.