10 Proofs of the Resurrection: Women as Eyewitnesses to an Empty Tomb

by David Chadwick

We are looking at 10 proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus to help you stand against the lies of the enemy. 

Today’s proof is that women were eyewitnesses to an empty tomb!

In those days, women were second class citizens. They were not even granted the opportunity to be eyewitnesses at a trial. They were seen as less than. Their perspectives were rarely validated and often overlooked. 

Why is this significant? Well, if you wanted to fabricate a story back then, you would never dream of using women as your first eyewitnesses. In fact, you would go out of your way to use the most societally credible people as your eyewitnesses. 

Yet all four of the gospel accounts about Jesus’s resurrection have women as the first eyewitnesses. Luke 24:10, for example, says, “Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles.” 

This reality is shocking to say the least. And should give significant reason to pause.

Women at the forefront of the story. The first eyewitnesses. Boldly leading the way in declaring the truth of the Resurrection. If someone wanted to sway an entire group of people with a false narrative, this would not be the most convincing way to do it. 

But that’s the way God does things. He chooses the most unlikely evidence to prove his point. And it only makes his point more valid - especially to those of us reading it 2,000 years later.

Hallelujah! Jesus is risen! He is alive!

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Our "10 Proofs of the Resurrection" series was originally released in 2023. For additional resources on this subject, please visit our website.

10 Proofs of the Resurrection: People Don't Die for What They Believe is a Lie

by David Chadwick

Have you ever looked up the definition of the word proof? One definition is “the evidence or argument establishing or helping to establish a fact or the truth of a statement.” When used as an adjective it is defined as “able to withstand something damaging; resistant.”

I am going to share ten proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. For without the Resurrection, Christians are people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). Without the Resurrection, Christians don’t have a faith!

Each proof serves as evidence to the truth of his message. They allow you to give a defense of the hope that is in your heart (1 Peter 3:15).

Here is the first one: People do not die for what they know is a lie.

They may die for what they think is true. But if it is a lie, and they know it’s a lie, they will not suffer persecution or lose their life for what they know is a lie.

Think about 9/11. Extreme Muslim terrorists believed that by driving planes into buildings to kill infidels, they would be granted 70 plus virgins forever in paradise. Do you think they would have done this if they knew what they believed was a lie?

Some have suggested the Resurrection was a legend, made up by the early disciples to keep Jesus’s message of love going forward. But this suggestion does not make sense either.

First, the disciples were faithful Jews, faithfully following the law which clearly states, “You shall not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16). Proclaiming a message they knew to be a lie would be in direct violation of the moral law they so faithfully kept.

Moreover, these followers of Jesus were mostly persecuted, beaten and even martyred for their faith. No one undergoes this kind of pain for a known lie! Human nature is self-protective, looking out for number 1. Wouldn’t you think that if they were getting physically tortured and knew it was all a big game, someone would have spoken up and said, “Just kidding! It’s a lie!”

But the early disciples didn’t. They died saying, “Jesus is risen.” Why? Because they had seen a risen Lord (Mark 16:5-7). They were eyewitnesses to this fact. It proves Jesus is God in human flesh. The Lord over the universe. And worthy of our worship and obedience.

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Our "10 Proofs of the Resurrection" series was originally released in 2023. For additional resources on this subject, please visit our website.

Key Doctrines of the Faith: Eschatology

by David Chadwick

I am handing you your final key today. We are wrapping up a three week study of the key doctrines of the Christian faith. You should now have a deeper understanding of the timeless truths and beliefs that set apart the Christian faith. Each of these 15 keys is meant to unlock truths on which you can stand no matter what is thrown at you.

Today’s final key: eschatology. The doctrine of the last things. Let’s dig in.

Jesus ascended to heaven. But he told his followers that he would return one day and make all things new (Acts 1:9-11). He would restore this world to its original intent. The Kingdom of Heaven perfectly revealed everywhere. A return back to how God perfectly created this world. The Garden of Eden all over again in perfection before the fall in Genesis 3.

Paul talks about the “groanings” in creation before Jesus’s return (Romans 8:22-23). This is because there was a way it used to be before sin entered into the world. Even creation longs for the return to perfection.

Some believe there will be a rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) where Jesus takes his church before the Great Tribulation (Revelation 6-18). This teaching stems from a belief that God has not destined his church to face God’s enormous wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Others believe only in Jesus’s second coming, with no rapture. Either way, Jesus will one day return and make this world new. He promised. And he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

Jesus gave signs to look for before his coming. They are outlined in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. It’s easy to see how these prophecies are happening more and more. Like a woman  whose birth pangs are becoming more and more intense and frequent before a new baby arrives.

The reality of this promise should give all Christians a “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) as we await this great moment. Living in “Imminence” (something the early church did) – that Jesus could return at any moment. We must remain ready. But how? Living in holiness, purity, service, and an urgency to share the gospel with the lost.

May we be found faithful to him in all we are doing when Jesus returns!