From: Marilyn AgeeRe: It would seem the resurrected would be with us for the 40 days Deborah (6 May 2005)
"Stephen Martin re: Resurrection/ Rapture"
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2005/sma55.htm
 

The problem that I am having with dates that are close at hand is that their have not been any reports of the resurrection. The pattern is the "Dead in Christ" rise first.. It would seem they would be with us for the 40 days
before the Ascension as Christ and the others were.
 Stephen Martin

 
Stephen, The Dead in Christ are already in Heaven!  "Absent from the body, PRESENT with the Lord."  Jesus said to the thief on the cross next Him, "TODAY you will be with ME in PARADISE."  I don't think Jesus lied.  The minute/second we die, we are instantly in the presence of God.  Only those who are remain alive, must wait until the rapture.....for the Dead in Christ ALWAYS precede us, for they are already there!Deborah
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Hi:
 
  > > It would seem they would be with us for the 40 days before the Ascension as Christ and the others were.
 
  I don't think those who came out of the graves on Resurrection Day were around for 40 days.  Jesus took them to Heaven on Resurrection Day. Then he returned to be with the disciples for 40 days before he ascended again.
 
  > > Jesus said to the thief on the cross next Him, "TODAY you will be with ME in PARADISE."
 
  "Today" was Thursday, Nisan 13, the Preparation of the Passover. On that very day, they both visited Paradise, which at that time was in the Earth. It was also called "Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22). Jesus may have told the people in Paradise what was going to happen to them after three days and three nights (Thursday, day; Friday, night then day; Saturday, night then day; and Sunday, night).
 
  On Sunday, "the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Mt. 27:52,63).
 
  That very day, Jesus went to Heaven and returned to Earth. In the morning after the Resurrection, Jesus told Mary Magdalene, "TOUCH ME NOT FOR I AM NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ASCEND UNTO MY FATHER, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20:17). Later in the day, after returning to Earth, Jesus could be touched.
 
  Luke 24:36-39 says, "Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: HANDLE ME, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
 Psa 68:18 says, "Thou (the LORD) hast ASCENDED ON HIGH, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them."
 In Eph 4:8-10, "he saith, When HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. " (Now that he ascended, what is it but that HE ALSO DESCENDED FIRST INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)"
 

Since Jesus took the Old Testament saints to Heaven on Resurrection Day, it seems fitting that he take the Bride of Christ to Heaven on Ascension Day.
 

> > > the Dead in Christ ALWAYS precede us, for they are already there!

On the day of the Rapture, Jesus will bring all the saints that are in Heaven with him. They will get their resurrection bodies. Then we will rise with them to meet Christ in the air (I Thess. 4:13-18).
 Agape, Marilyn Agee
 
  mjagee1@earthlink.net
 http://prophecycorner.com/agee/
 http://home.earthlink.net/mjagee1/