Did Christ really resurrect Sunday morning?
Careful investigation and diligent study of the four gospels concerning the daily events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ will help the earnest seeker to see the perfect harmony of the holy Scriptures, and reveal that He arose from the tomb long before "sun" day morning. It's the power of the Holy Spirit that helps us to love and appreciate the truth.
The following timeline chart was carefully preparred over an extended length of time by various faithful followers of Christ, to help illustrate, in chronological order, the key events that took place at specific times before and after Jesus was crucified. It illustrates events that took place each day of the last week of the life of Christ before His crucifixion, and it continues a week later to the end of the feast of unleavened bread. The chart is based on three (3) key Scriptures — Matthew 12:40, Matthew 28:1 (KJV), and Daniel 9:27. The phrase “it was yet dark” found in John 20:1 is very significant in our study and quest for truth, for it dispels ALL assumption of a “sunrise resurrection”. "Dark" is the direct opposite of "light", meaning it was not yet "daylight" during that particular visit to Jesus' tomb.
A detailed timeline chart.* (color image | black & white)
Summary of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ
The above chart shows events that took place each day of the last week of the life of Christ before His crucifixion, continuing a week later to the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The chart is based on three key Scriptures — Matthew 12:40, Matthew 28:1 (KJV), and Daniel 9:27. Of almost relative significance is the text in John 20:1 – “it was yet dark” – which dispels all assumption of a “sunrise resurrection”.
John 12:1 tells us it was six days before the Passover when Jesus went to Bethany. This means six days before the Passover sabbath. This same word meaning is found in John 19:14 which shows that the day that Jesus was killed was also called “the preparation of the passover.”
The references shown on the chart tell of events which happened each day of the week. After sundown on Nisan 14 (Wednesday night) Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover meal, then He instituted the Lord’s Supper. Later in the daylight period of Wednesday afternoon, Jesus was crucified, it being the “preparation day” of the Passover sabbath. Jesus was placed in the tomb just before sunset as the Passover sabbath drew near, and was in the tomb for the next three nights and three days, from late Wednesday afternoon to late Saturday afternoon, and He was risen before sundown in the end of the seventh-day Sabbath.
Thus, Jesus was in the tomb for 72 hours — a full three nights AND three days. Therefore, He fulfilled the prophecy which He gave as recorded in Matthew 12:40, “So shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Can the Bible really be trusted?
Yes, wholeheartedly! We firmly believe in the Word of God. And so much so that faithful brethren desire for these truths to be shared throughout all the world. The Bible indeed does provide sufficient details surrounding the events of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Why do we do what we do?
Do we ever ask why in the world do we participate in certain habits and rituals, allowing ourselves to simply "go with the flow"? If these practices are "religious" or "spiritual" in nature, do we understand who is supposed to be the object of such devotion? Is there a higher power, God, that is watching througout the entire earth, beholding our behavior, and searching our hearts and minds?
Heed the call, make your choice.
According to the Holy Bible, man has a decision to make — accept and follow man-made religious traditions and customs, or, seek and find the Truth, and have the unfailing faith to firmly believe in it.
So, just exactly when was Jesus crucified and resurrected?
We believe that the Holy Bible, without fail and through the power of the wonderful Holy Spirit, reveals to true believers that the resurrection of Jesus Christ actually occurred on the seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday afternoon, and not in the morning on the first day of the week, aka "Sun" day. Ample scriptures in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John provide enough study material and evidence to prove that the "Easter Sunday" tradition is false and unbiblical.
What difference does it make?
Many may say, "what difference does it make, as long as we celebrate....", so on and so forth. Well, according to Jesus and the Bible it makes all the difference in the world. A statement He makes in Mark 7:7 shows us that not all worship is recognized, accepted, worthwhile, or valid, and therefore is not honorable to the Heavenly Father, nor to Him.
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7
With enough careful and diligent study of the scriptures, we just might discover the sobering fact that we've been deceived by Satan into following man's ways, to honor the sun, a thing that shines in the sky, instead of believing in and honoring the only begotten Son of the living God in heaven. When we begin to honestly question the "Easter Sunday" tradition and discover that it involves twisting the Word of God to justify it's practice, we can more clearly see the falicy of "sun" day in general, and that it can't possibly be the "Lord's day", not even in the least bit.
Whatever happened to truth?
When things we've been taught just simply don't "add up".
so, what shall it be... man's tradition, or biblical truth? Which teaching can we put our faith and trust in? If we can find ample evidence that man has been deceived and lied to, that strong delusion has greatly abounded for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, do we realize that we have even more responsibility to make a decision for Christ – for salvation's sake, for eternal life? Yes, we can rest assured that we can trust the holy scriptures, that we can confidently know them to make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
"But my pastor says thus..."
Yes, your pastor may indeed have something to say and an opinion to offer, but let us all, each and every one, consider wisely the advice we receive, proving from the Bible if it's trustworthy, or no, if what's being taught is truth or a lie.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
The good news, Christ died to save sinners.
Don't allow man's flavor of "religion" to keep you from a personal, loving, obedient relationship to the Son of God and to the Heavenly Father. You too can overcome the lies of Satan and the vanity of man, for Jesus Himself gave a wonderful promise:
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Summary
According to the Word of God, the holy scriptures, Jesus Christ could not have been resurrected on Sunday morning, celebrated today as "Resurrection Sunday". Teaching otherwise would make Jesus out to be a false prophet and not "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8 KJV). Jesus' own prophecy of Himself being three (3) days and three (3) nights in the tomb most certainly would have been perfectly fulfilled by the power of God, just as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly. Earnest seekers can easily research the Internet regarding the pagan origins of sun worship ("sun" "day") and the "sunrise" service.
BONUS STUDY - What do rabbits and painted chicken eggs have to do with the resurrection story? Keyword: fertility
Charts
Black and White* (open in new window)
Color* (open in new window)
Credits
*This crucifixion/resurrection timeline chart is adapted from a colorized spreadsheet found on page 14 of the Jan-Feb 2018 issue of the Bible Advocate magazine.
PDF version: https://baonline.org/Issues/Archives/BA-2018-1_January-February-Eng.pdf
Other "Time Element" charts seem to have appeared back in the 1950's, and have, over time, been modified to fit the subject of the occasion. The Searchlight Bible Course also contained a chart, which was first printed in 1956.