The Tomb of Jesus - A Strong Delusion In Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy

Almost everyone in America knows the story of Jesus. The fact that he was crucified and that the Bible says he rose from the dead. It is not a matter of debate that Jesus lived. It is well accepted around the world and among most religions that he was a good man who did miracles. It is a historical fact that he was crucified. No body debates this. What is debated is whether Jesus rose from the dead. Does the recent discovery of a tomb which is claimed to contain the body of Jesus and his family discredit the biblical account. I think not. Rather, I think it confirms the conspiracy that the Bible says existed to discredit the resurrection of Jesus. It is also a fulfillment of Bible Prophecy.

On March 4, 2007, the discovery Channel aired a documentary by director James Cameron. The documentary revealed that a family tomb had been discovered in Jerusalem. This was a very unique tomb because it held the body of Jesus and his family. The documentary claimed that this was the tomb of the Jesus depicted in the Bible.

The name Jesus is not unique. It is the Greek equivalent of the name Joshua which means "Jehova is Salvation." Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites; he succeeded Moses to lead Israel. Others in the Bible had the name of Jesus including Barabbas. The prisoner released instead of Jesus Christ. Strong's Lexicon records that his first name was Jesus. It is totally possible that the family tomb of Jesus was of some unknown man but I believe it is more likely part of an ancient conspiracy. This conspiracy originated with the Jewish leaders and it sought to conceal the true identity of Jesus the Christ, the son of God.

The conspiracy against Jesus began during his ministry. The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees and elders conspired to kill him. When Jesus was brought to judgment, they brought false witnesses to testify against him. But these witnesses contradicted one and other. Although the Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death, he found no fault in him. Pilate tried to get the people to release Jesus. It was the custom to release a prisoner for the Passover but the crowd chose a notorious criminal named Barabbas instead of Jesus. This was as God had planned for Jesus had to die in order to pay the price for our sins.

The day after the death of Jesus the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked him to seal the tomb of Jesus and to install a guard. A Centurion and his company of 100 men were sent to seal and guard the tomb of Jesus. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record that Jesus rose from his tomb on the morning of the third day. The disciples could not have perpetuated any hoax with 100 Roman soldiers standing guard.

Mathew records that some of the soldiers went to the chief priests and explained that Jesus had risen from the dead. The chief priests conspired with the soldiers and paid them a large sum of money to lie about what had happened to Pilate. Matthew records: "Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor"s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day." (Matthew 28:11-15)

The Conspiracy among the Jewish leaders did not stop here as Dr. Philip Moore extensively covers in his book "The End Of History Messiah Conspiracy." The Jewish leaders went to great lengths to hide the fact that Jesus was in deed the Messiah and had risen from the dead. Dr. Moore documents that they even went as far as to change their teaching concerning the Messiah in order to conceal the fact that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

The book of Acts contains the wise counsel of a Jewish leader. Peter and other disciples of Jesus were teaching in the name of Jesus and were imprisoned. During the night angels freed them and they returned to the temple to teach. The leaders were astonished when they found they were not in prison and ordered them to be arrested again. When Peter and the others were brought before the leaders they refused to obey the leaders and said that they would obey God instead. The leaders had mind to kill them but a wise man stood up to speak. Acts 5:35-38 records what the man said:

"Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:"

What was the result of the works of the Apostles? Does it appear to be the works of men or does it appear to be the work of God? We do not find any evidence that any of the Apostles or the disciples ever recanted of their belief that Jesus rose from the dead. Although they were persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and slain, none of them ever recanted their belief that Jesus the Christ rose from the dead. All the Apostles except for John were martyred for their faith. Yet, they all remained faithful until the end.

Nathaniel died a martyrs death. Simon, James (the Lesser), Andrew and Peter were martyred by crucifiction. Thaddaeus was martyred by being shot with arrows. Matthew and James(the Elder) were martyred by the sword. Phillip was martyred by hanging. Thomas was martyred by the spear. John died in exile. None of these men recanted the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead. Not one changed his testimony to save his life.

Men will die for a lie that they believe to be true but they will not die for a lie that they know is a lie. The preservation of life is a very strong motivator. In order to save their own life men will admit their crimes, they will become witnesses against their friends and cohorts, they will profess a lie, they will do all sorts of evil. Sometimes men will die to protect their friends or family but die to protect a lie they will not do.

The Apostles and other disciples of Jesus never recanted. The teachings of Jesus prospered, they did not come to nought. Those who were divided were the leaders of the Jews. The Bible records that many of the Pharisees became believers. Chief among these was Paul who originally went by the name of Saul. Saul was a high ranking Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians. He was even involved in the killing of Christians but he left the ranks of the Jewish conspiracy and came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and that he had risen from the dead.

Paul went on to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles and to write over half the New Testament. Paul prophesied that in the last days there would be "strong delusion" that would lead many wicked men to "believe a lie" and reject the Gospel of Christ. As a result, these men would be damned to everlasting death. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) This lie about the tomb of Jesus is a strong delusion and it is only one of many strong delusions to come.

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