When someone makes a promise, it does not necessarily mean the promised action will occur at that moment. Likewise, a delay in seeing the promise fulfilled does not mean it will never happen. Check out a few of the prophecies regarding Jesus’s resurrection, some of which were predicted nearly 1000 years before His birth!

Written by King David who reigned 1010-970 B.C.:
“You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Psalm 16:10).

The prophet Isaiah dedicated an entire chapter (701-681 B.C.) detailing Jesus’s suffering and crucifixion:
“After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:11-12). God could share the spoils of victory with Jesus only if Jesus rose from the dead.

Recorded by Jesus’s disciple, Matthew:
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matthew 16:21). A similar verse is recorded in Mark 8:31.

In Jesus’s own words:
“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life” (Matthew 17:22-23). Also see Luke 9:22.

Clearly, God revealed His plan and Jesus fulfilled His purpose, defeating death. Today Jesus is on the throne. He is in control and is waiting to fulfill the promise of His return, when He will gather His people to live with Him forever. It will happen!

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!