FORMER FOOTBALLER GEORGE WEAH WINS LIBERIA ELECTIONS

George Weah has been voted president of Liberia after clinching 12 of the 15 counties in the west African country.

Weah has taken to Twitter to thank all his supporters, saying that he plans to liberate the country.

The former AC Milan striker becomes the 25th president of the country.

His opponent, 73-year-old Joseph Boakai - who has been the country's vice president for the last 12 years, got only two counties to vote for him. 

Holidays amplify Addictions

Can you name some commonly known like alcoholism?

We have to move God from the marginal consultant we call on in times of need, to the center of our lives……

Christians and non-Christian alike battle with addictions and other behaviors that they find themselves struggling to leave behind. Through faith in Jesus Christ and placing emotional and spiritual health as attainable goals, we can all be overcomers.

Sometimes we complicate our own lives. I know that’s quite an understatement for most of us. We indulged in addictions or behavior partly to sooth ourselves in the complicated mess we were in, and the result was…more complications.

There’s hope, but in recovery we will always encounter people and situations that want to divert us from the path of wellness and wholeness. The Lord promises us a way out when we are challenged to fall back (1 Cor. 10:13). But the decision is always ours whether to take his way or our old way.

We have to move God from the marginal consultant we call on in times of need, to the center of our lives. He wants us to experience the love that has given us all things with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:32). God has given us an advantage over this world and all the things in it that we cannot control. Amen

THE FAMOUS FAILURES, THE UNDERDOGS WHO WENT ON TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

23 Incredibly Successful People Who Failed At First

Stephen King at a book signing for "Dr. Sleep."AP Photo/Francois Mori

Rejection can feel devastating, but you shouldn't let it crush you. Some of the world's most successful people have failed — sometimes more than once.

We've put together a list of highly successful people, from movie stars to scientists, who experienced massive failure before they found fame and fortune.

Weaker people might have given up. Instead, these folks remained focused on their goals. 

Scroll down to see the underdogs who went on to change the world.

Winston Churchill was estranged from his political party over ideological disagreements during the "wilderness years" of 1929 to 1939.

AP Photo

At the outbreak of World War II on Sep. 3, 1939, Churchill was appointed to the British Admiralty, thus ending his "exile." The next year, he was elected prime ministerat the age of 62.

Thomas Edison's teachers told him he was "too stupid to learn anything."

AP Photo

Edison went on to hold more than 1,000 patents and invented some world-changing devices, like the phonograph, practical electrical lamp, and a movie camera.

Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first television job as an anchor in Baltimore, where she said she faced sexism and harassment.

Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

But Winfrey reboundedand became the undisputed queen of television talk shows before amassing a media empire. Today she is worth an estimated $2.9 billion, according to Forbes.

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas."

AP Photo

Several more of his businesses failed before the premiere of his movie "Snow White." Today, most childhoods wouldn't be the same without his ideas.

Steven Spielberg was rejected by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts multiple times.

Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP

He went on to create the first summer blockbuster with "Jaws" in 1975, and has won three Academy Awards.

R.H. Macy had a series of failed retail ventures throughout his early career.

YouTube/A&E Biography

But at the age of 36, Macy launched R.H. Macy & Co., which grew to become Macy's, one of the largest department store chains in the world.

Soichiro Honda's unique vision got him ostracized by the Japanese business community.

Getty Images/ The Asahi Shimbun

Honda was a mechanical genius who idolized Edison and rebelled against the norm. His passion for aggressive individualism was more fit for the United States, and thus alienated him from Japanese businessmen, who valued teamwork above all else. Honda then boldly challenged the American automotive industry in the 1970s and led a Japanese automotive revolution.

Colonel Harland David Sanders was fired from dozens of jobs before founding a successful restaurant.

AP Photo

He traveled across the U.S. looking for someone to sell his fried chicken, and after finally getting a business deal in Utah, Kentucky Fried Chicken was born. KFC is now one of the most recognizable franchises in the world, with over 18,000 locations.

After having trouble adjusting to the culture and his classes, Dick Cheney dropped out of Yale — and then returned, only to drop out for good.

AP Photo/Richard Drew

George W. Bush once joked: "So now we know if you graduate from Yale, you become president. If you drop out, you get to be vice president."

Sir Isaac Newton's mother pulled him out of school as a boy so that he could run the family farm. He failed miserably.

Getty Images/Portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller

Realizing her son was not meant to till the land, she let Newton finish his basic education and was eventually persuaded to allow him to enroll in Cambridge University. Newton went on to become one of the greatest scientists of all time, revolutionizing physics and mathematics.

Vera Wang failed to make the U.S. Olympic figure-skating team. Then she became an editor at Vogue and was passed over for the editor-in-chief position.

Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

She began designing wedding gowns at age 40 and today is one of the premier designers in the fashion industry, with a business worth over $1 billion.

When Sidney Poitier first auditioned for the American Negro Theatre, he flubbed his lines and spoke in a heavy Caribbean accent, which made the director angrily tell him to stop wasting his time.

Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP

Poitier worked on his craft and eventually became a hugely successful Hollywood star. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor and helped break down the color barrier in the American film industry. 

As a child, Albert Einstein had some difficulty communicating and learning in a traditional manner.

AP Photo

Of course, Einstein's communication and behavioral problems were not indicative of a lack of intelligence. He won the Nobel prizein physics for the discovery of the photoelectric effect, and his special theory of relativity theory corrected the deficiencies of Newtonian physics.

In one of Fred Astaire's first screen tests, an executive wrote: "Can't sing. Can't act. Slightly balding. Can dance a little."

AP Photo

Astaire went on to become a Hollywood and Broadway legend.

J.K. Rowling was a single mom living off welfare when she began writing the first "Harry Potter" novel.

Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP

Rowling is now internationally renowned for her seven-book Harry Potter series and, in U.S. currency, became the first billionaire author in 2004.

Charles Darwin was considered an average student. He gave up on a career in medicine and was going to school to become a parson.

AP Photo, File

But as Darwin studied nature, he found his true calling and traveled the world to uncover nature's mysteries. His writings, especially "On the Origin of the Species," fundamentally changed the world of science by spreading the discovery of evolution.

Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting, "The Red Vineyard," in his life, and the sale was just months before his death.

Getty Images/Self-Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh

If he had given up his artistic career after it proved to strain his financial and emotional well-being, the art world would be missing hundreds of paintings from a true master.

After Harrison Ford's first small movie role, an executive took him into his office and told him he'd never succeed in the movie business.

Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP

Ford's career went on to span six decades, and has included timeless starring roles in blockbuster films like the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" series.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers.

AP Photo

Dr. Seuss became a legendary children's author known around the world for classics like "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham." His books have sold over 600 million copies.

Lucille Ball appeared in so many second-tier films at the start of her career that she became known as "The Queen of B Movies."

Getty Images/Mondadori Portfolio

Then she got her big break when CBS picked up her and her husband Desi Arnaz's vaudeville act and turned it into the highly influential sitcom "I Love Lucy."

A young Henry Ford ruined his reputation with a couple of failed automobile businesses.

AP Photo

However, after conducting a search, he was finally able to find a partner who had faith in him. Ford proved he had learned from his mistakes when Ford Motor Company forever changed the automotive industry and culture with his assembly line mode of production. 

While developing his vacuum, Sir James Dyson went through 5,126 failed prototypes and his savings over 15 years.

Getty Images/Derek Hudson

But the 5,127th prototype worked, and the Dyson brand became the best-selling bagless vacuum brand in the United States. He is now worth an estimated $4.5 billion, according to Forbes.

Stephen King grew so frustrated over his attempt to write the novel "Carrie" that he threw away the entire early draft.

AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file

King's wife Tabitha found the manuscript in the trash and took it out. "Carrie" became a hit and launched his career. His novels have since sold over 350 million copies. 

World Aids Day 2017 Theme: My health, my right

My Health My Right

Everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, has a right to health, which is also dependent on adequate sanitation and housing, nutritious food, healthy working conditions and access to justice. The right to health is supported by, and linked to, a wider set of rights.

Ending AIDS as a public health threat can only happen if these rights are placed at the centre of global health, so that quality health care is available and accessible for everyone and leaves no one behind.

Campaign #myrighttohealth

This year’s World AIDS Day campaign focuses on the right to health.

The #myrighttohealth campaign will provide information about the right to health and what impact it has on people’s lives. It will also aim to increase the visibility around the need to achieve the full realization of the right to health by everyone, everywhere.

Almost all of the Sustainable Development Goals are linked in some way to health, so achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which include ending the AIDS epidemic, will depend heavily on ensuring the right to health.

Remarkable progress is being made on HIV treatment. UNAIDS has launched a new report showing that access to treatment has risen significantly. In 2000, just 685 000 people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral therapy. By June 2017, around 20.9 million people had access to the life-saving medicines. Such a dramatic scale-up could not have happened without the courage and determination of people living with HIV demanding and claiming their rights, backed up by steady, strong leadership and financial commitment.

GLOBAL HIV STATISTICS

19.5 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy in 2016.

36.7 million [30.8 million–42.9 million] people globally were living with HIV in 2016.

1.8 million [1.6 million–2.1 million] people became newly infected with HIV in 2016.

1 million [830 000–1.2 million] people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2016.

76.1 million [65.2 million–88.0 million] people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic.

35.0 million [28.9 million–41.5 million] people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic.

In 2016, there were 36.7 million [30.8 million–42.9 million] people living with HIV

By UN World Aids Day .

 http://www.un.org/en/events/aidsday/index.shtml

BOMBSHELL video lecture just released: The Science Agenda to Exterminate Blacks

 
Courtesy of

NaturalNews.com 

People killed in the Ups and Down with the police as Raila enters central business district

Zimbabwe Army Issue Tough Statement, Take Mugabe in Detention After Military Takes Control of the Country

Army says it has taken temporary control to ‘target criminals’ around head of state, who sacked his vice-president last week .

Zimbabwe army statement in full 

“Good morning Zimbabwe.

Fellow Zimbabweans. Following the address we made on 13 November 2017, which we believe our main broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and the Herald were directed not to publicise, the situation in our country has moved to another level.

Firstly we wish to assure our nation, His Excellency, the president of the republic of Zimbabwe and commander in chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, comrade R G Mugabe and his family, are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.

We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.

As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.

To the civil servants, as you are aware there is a plan by the same individuals to influence the current purging which is taking place in the political sphere. To the civil service, we are against that act of injustice and we intend to protect every one of you against that.

To the judiciary, the measures underway are intended to ensure that as an independent arm of the state you are able to exercise your independent authority without fear of being obstructed as has been the case with this group of individuals.

To our members of parliament, your legislative role is of paramount importance, of peace and stability in this country, and it is our desire that a dispensation is created that allows you to serve your respective political constituencies according to democratic tenants.

To political parties, we urge you to discourage your members from engaging in violent behaviour.

To the youth, we call upon you to realise that the future of this country is yours. Do not be enticed with the dirty coins of silver, be disciplined and remain committed to the efforts and values of this great nation.

To the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement. However we encourage those who are employed and those with essential business in the city to continue their normal activities as usual. Our wish is that you will enjoy your rights and freedoms and that we return our country to a dispensation that allows for investment, development and prosperity that we all fought for and for which many of our citizens paid the supreme sacrifice.

To all churches and religious organisations in Zimbabwe we call upon your congregations to pray for our country and preach the gospel of love, peace and unity and development.

To both our people and the world beyond our borders, we wish to make this abundantly clear this is not a military takeover of government. What the Zimbabwe defence forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political, social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.

We call upon all the war veterans to play a positive role in ensuring peace, stability and unity in the country.

To members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, all leave is cancelled and you are all to return to your barracks with immediate effect.

To the other security forces, we urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.

And to the media, we urge you to report fairly and responsibly.

We thank you.”

Light Of The World .

Jesus' Victory Over Death

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).
"Christianity," said one writer, "is a religion of the open tomb." Keep that thought in mind as you study this booklet on the resurrection. The founder of Christianity could not be kept in the prison house of death. An angel rolled the great stone from the door of Joseph's new tomb, and the Son of God came forth triumphant over death. "I am the resurrection and the life," He said (John 11:25).

The apostle Paul argues that the Christian faith stands or falls upon the fact of the resurrection of Christ.
"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:13, 14).

Our hope of deliverance from sin in this world (see Romans 6:4, 11, 12) and the reality of life in the next (see 1 Corinthians 15:17-23) are dependent upon the resurrection of Jesus. The incarnation of God's Son, His sinless life and vicarious death, would have availed nothing if He had been kept a prisoner of death. The saints of all ages would remain in their graves, sealed forever, if Christ had not broken the power of death and come forth to immortal life. And Christians would have been "false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised" (1 Corinthians 15:15).
Frank Morrison, a skeptic, made a searching analysis of the Scriptural records of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ, and then wrote a book titled, Who Moved the Stone? He confesses that he started out to write a book different from the one he finished. The evidence in favor of the resurrection was so forceful that he was compelled to write of the event as a true historical fact. It has been affirmed that there is no single historic incident more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ.
The actual bodily resurrection of Christ was attested by hundreds of eye witnesses who saw Him alive in His risen form. And there were witnesses who wrote down for future ages what they saw. John and Matthew, for example, who must be recognized as honest and sane men, were skeptical and incredulous of the resurrection until they actually saw the risen Savior with their own eyes (see Mark 16:9-14).


HOW IS THE BURIAL OF JESUS DESCRIBED?
As we return to Calvary, we see that Jesus is now dead.
"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last" (Luke 23:44-46).
When Jesus bowed His bleeding head and died, it was about three o'clock on Friday afternoon. Friday was known as the "preparation day." Since the Jews did not want to desecrate the Sabbath by allowing the bodies of the victims to remain on the cross during its holy hours, they requested Pilate that the legs of the three men might be broken and their bodies taken down.
"The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water" (John 19:32-34).
Christ's death occurred within six hours of His crucifixion. This was unheard of, for death on the cross was always a prolonged and lingering process. But His heart had been broken under the awful pressure of the world's guilt. His life had been crushed out by the weight of our transgressions. "He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Because Christ's heart was broken for us, we may find pardon and peace with God. "By his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Scripture had declared: "He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken" (Psalm 34:20). And this Scripture was fulfilled. Because Jesus was already dead, not a bone was broken (see also Exodus 12:46).
On the afternoon of that same day, Christ's body was taken from the cross and buried in a tomb provided by a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea. "And the Sabbath was about to begin" (Luke 23:54).
"Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Luke 23:50-56).
Now that Jesus was dead, the concern of the priests did not end as they thought it would. Indeed, they were as worried as when He was alive. They had heard of His promise that He would rise from the dead, and they respected that word of power. Hadn't He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead, and the son of the widow of Nain, and even Lazarus who had been in the tomb for four days? What was to prevent Him from coming forth to life Himself? So they went to Pilate and begged that the tomb be made sure and the stone sealed. As an excuse, they argued that His disciples might come and steal away His body (see Matthew 27:62-66). Therefore the tomb was closed with the Roman seal and guarded by armed legionnaires. But nothing could hold the Lifegiver in that grave, as we will see.


THE RESURRECTION SCENE
The Sabbath that Jesus spent in the grave and the Saturday night that followed it passed slowly indeed for the disciples. The darkest hour just before daybreak had come. Christ was still a prisoner of death in His narrow tomb. The great stone was in its place. The Roman seal was unbroken, and the Roman guards were keeping their watch. There were unseen watchers too. Satan and his angels were there. Like the priests who had followed their prompting, they hoped to seal the tomb of God's Son forever. But the heavenly Father sent angels that excel in strength, and they, too, were guarding the tomb. Then, suddenly . . .
"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men" (Matthew 28:2-4).
The angel of the Lord rolled the stone away as if it had been a pebble. And the Lord of life came forth in His risen form. The hour had come for the fulfillment of Christ's words:
"I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:17, 18).
The guards fell prostrate to the ground while the earth trembled beneath them. An earthquake had marked the hour when Christ died. Now, another earthquake marked the moment when He rose from the dead.
When the dazed soldiers revived, they fled from the scene trembling with fear, and ran straight for the city. "Some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened" (Matthew 28:11).
When the guilty Caiaphas heard this news, his face must have grown pale like a dead man's. For a moment he was speechless. Then he blurted out these foolish words to the soldiers: "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep' " (Matthew 28:13). Caiaphas knew that Roman soldiers caught sleeping on their watch would be executed. So he continued: "If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble" (Matthew 28:14).
Then money was placed in the soldiers' hands. Thus they sold their integrity, bribed to keep silent about the greatest event in human history. How many voices since that day have been stilled by the touch of gold or the crisp rustle of currency!
When Christ arose from the dead, many saints arose with him. He brought forth a multitude who had been held captive by death. These risen saints were a pledge and sample of the great host of the redeemed who will be raised from the dead when Christ comes the second time. When the Savior ascended to heaven forty days after His resurrection (see Acts 1:3), the multitude of risen saints ascended with him (see Ephesians 4:8). During the forty intervening days, these godly men and women appeared to many of the people in Jerusalem, testifying to the power of their Deliverer (see Matthew 27:52, 53).


WHO WERE THE FIRST TO VISIT THE TOMB?
Friday afternoon, after the death of Christ, Mary Magdalene and the other women followed Joseph and Nicodemus to the tomb. Then they returned to their homes and prepared spices and ointments with which to embalm the body of their Lord. It was getting late, and the Sabbath, which begins at sunset, was approaching. Out of respect for its sacred hours, they waited until the day was passed. Then early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, they came to the tomb to embalm Christ's body (see Luke 23:54-56; 24:1-3). Sadness filled their hearts. Like the eleven disciples, they were crushed and broken.
Words cannot describe the consternation in which the friends of Jesus were plunged during the long hours which elapsed between the crucifixion and the resurrection. . . . Nothing was farther from their expectation than the resurrection; they imagined that all was ended for earth, and felt nothing but the vast void created by such a separation. Their hearts remained tenderly attached to Jesus; but their love at such an hour could not but be full of sorrow and dismay. . . . It was as though the great stone of his sepulcher had been rolled upon their feeble faith. They were like men crushed (Pressense, Jesus Christ, page 485).
When the women arrived at the tomb early Sunday morning, Christ had already risen. Mary Magdalene was the first to arrive. When she found the tomb empty, she ran to Peter and John and told them:
"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" (John 20:2).
The two disciples then hurried to the tomb and found it just as Mary had said (see John 20:3-10). Mary followed the disciples to the tomb, and after they had returned to Jerusalem, she looked into the sepulcher and saw two angels who appeared to her as men. "They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?" 'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don't know where they have put him' " (John 20:13). Then she turned away, trying to find someone who could tell her what had been done with Jesus' body. Just then, another voice addressed her. " 'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' " (John 20:15). Thinking he was the gardener, Mary replied:
"Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him" (John 20:15).
If no one else wanted Jesus' body, she did! She would find a place for Him. Now in His familiar voice, Jesus said, "Mary!" Instantly she recognized that voice. Turning, she sprang toward Him and fell at His feet as if to embrace Him. "Rabboni!" she cried. Christ raised His hands, saying, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God' " (John 20:17). Overjoyed, Mary hurried from the tomb to the disciples and told them that she had seen the Lord (see John 20:18).

TO WHOM DID CHRIST APPEAR ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS?
Late in the afternoon of the resurrection day, two of the disciples, one of whom was Cleopas (see Luke 24:18), were making their way to their home in Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. Discouraged and hopeless, they were joined by a stranger who suddenly appeared on the scene.
"He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, 'Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?' " (Luke 24:17, 18).
Then they told him of their Master and of the disappointment that had come with His death. They declared that he "was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19). But "the chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him" (Luke 24:20). And they added:
"We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place" (Luke 24:21).
Then Christ answered them:
"How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:25, 26).
The disciples wondered who this stranger might be who spoke with such earnestness, tenderness, and sympathy, and inspired hope in their hearts. Then Jesus, "beginning with Moses . . . explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). He wanted their faith to be anchored to the Scriptures.
The disciples had looked upon Christ's death as the end of all hope. Now He showed them from the prophets that His crucifixion was the strongest basis for their faith and that the prophets had pointed forward to His death and resurrection as the very center of the plan of salvation.
His cruel trials before Annas and Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod, His beatings in the judgment hall, and His death on Calvary, had all been foretold by the gospel prophet.
"By oppression and judgment he was taken away. . . . For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken" (Isaiah 53:8).
As Jesus died on the cross, the very words that David had written concerning the dying Savior came to His lips:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1).
His death by crucifixion was a subject of prophecy:
"They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me" (Psalm 22:16, 17).
When the soldiers parted His garments and cast lots for them, they were fulfilling prophecy:
"They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing" (Psalm 22:18).
Even Judas' treachery was foretold:
"Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9).
After reasoning thus from the Word of God with the two disciples. Jesus was invited to their humble home. There, the simple evening meal was placed before them. As He stretched out His hands to bless the food, they recognized Him. "It is the Lord Jesus," they exclaimed. "He is risen from the dead." Then the Savior vanished out of their sight.
"They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?' " (Luke 24:32).
In their joy they hurried to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. Though night had fallen, they hurried on until they reached the upper room in the city and announced the glorious news to the disciples.

WHERE DID CHRIST APPEAR NEXT?
Cleopas and his companion pressed into the room and "told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread" (Luke 24:35). There was much excitement in that upper room. "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon," the disciples exclaimed (Luke 24:34). And as they talked Someone else stood before them, and every eye was fastened upon Him. He had not knocked for entrance, nor had He been admitted. No footstep had been heard. So the disciples were startled as He began to speak. Clearly and distinctly the words came from His lips: "Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36). The Scripture says:
"They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it, and ate it in their presence" (Luke 24:37-43).
They had not dared to believe that it was actually their Lord. But now He had eaten before them. Faith and joy took the place of unbelief, and with feelings that no words could express they acknowledged their risen Savior.
The disciples had come to this room in Jerusalem for mutual comfort and protection.
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (John 20:19, 20).
Not until the first day of the week had passed—in the evening—did Christ appear among them as a group to establish their faith in His resurrection. Until then—all through that heartbreaking Sunday—the disciples doubted and were afraid. When it finally dawned upon them that Christ was alive, they "were overjoyed" (John 20:20). That was a time of supreme rejoicing!
On this occasion Jesus opened the minds of these beloved men that they might understand the Scriptures.
"He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things' " (Luke 24:46-48).
The disciples now began to realize the importance and the extent of the great work to which they had been called. They were to be witnesses and to proclaim to the whole world the events of Jesus' life, His death, and resurrection. They were to preach the gospel of salvation through repentance and the power of the Spirit.
"And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit' " (John 20:22).
The Holy Spirit was not fully manifested at this time, for Christ had not yet been glorified in heaven. The more abundant outpouring of the Spirit would not take place until after Jesus' ascension to heaven.