WHAT HAS COME TO PASS?
Luke 24:12
Peter, after surveying the empty tomb, and examining the empty grave clothes, walked away,
wondering what had come to pass.
I - WHAT HAS COME TO PASS FOR THE BELIEVER?
1 - Every believer has been given freedom from the PENALTY of sin.
"…if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25)
As long as Jesus lay in that tomb there was no assurance that his death on the cross was of any value.
As long as Jesus lay in that tomb, his death and burial could have been likened to many other death & burials.
The resurrection made the difference!
But, his raising from the dead assured our justification!
2 - Every believer has been given an interceding High PRIEST in Heaven.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:33-34)
There are at least two reasons we need an interceding High Priest -
To defend us from our accuser -
Rev. 12:10 - Satan is called the accuser of our brethren
We see this clearly in (Zech. 3:1-5) (Job 1 & 2)
To help us in time of need - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16)
Had Jesus stayed dead, we would have no interceding high priest.
3 - Every believer has been given POWER for life & service.
"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places …" (Eph. 1:19-20)
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death …" (Philp. 3:10)
One of the GREAT examples of the power of God in the Old Testament is the exodus from Egypt, and the parting of the Red Sea.
One of the GREAT examples of the power of God in the New Testament is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead!
The power of God is available to every believer, BECAUSE of the resurrection of Jesus.
4 - Every believer has been given a PROMISE of immortality.
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." (1 Thess. 4:14)
"Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you." (2Cor. 4:14)
"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." (Jn. 14:19)
Today is a day of celebration for the believer, and follower of Jesus Christ.
And you can see why:
What about the unbeliever, the one who is not a follower of Jesus Christ?
Is this a day of celebration for them?
II - WHAT HAS COME TO PASS FOR THE UNBELIEVER?
1 - Every unbeliever will be a PARTAKER in the resurrection.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:26-29)
"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die." (1Cor. 15:32)
2 - Every unbeliever will be given a PLACE at the Judgment Seat of Christ
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 10:40-42)
3 - Every unbeliever will be given a PORTION of the wrath of God
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:16-17)
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." (Heb. 10:26-27)
You can be free from the penalty & guilt of sin.
You can have an interceding high priest
You can have all the power of heaven at your disposal
You can have the promise of immortality