Introduction: Today is the next most celebrated religious day. All kinds of things go on to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. There are sunrise services, special breakfast, another service, and a big Easter Egg hunt. The only thing that really matters is what is in our heart. Has He really risen? Is He really alive? Is He really alive in my heart? This is the "Morning of First Fruits". Jesus had risen from the grave along with about five hundred Saints of old. These were 'waved' before the Father as a wave offering of the First Fruits resurrection.

I. Some events leading up to that glorious morning.

A. Several notable things happened.

1. The triumphal entry Into Jerusalem on Sunday.
2. Cursing the fig tree on Monday.
3. Also cleansing the Temple on Monday.
4. Jesus did much teaching and ministry on Tuesday and Wednesday.
5. Preparation of the Passover Feast and eating the Last Supper on Thursday.
6. Leaving the supper and the agony In the garden.
7. The mockery of a trial before the High Priest and Pilate on Good Friday.
8. The crucifixion.

A. Jesus' seven last words.

1. �Father forgive them . . . .� Luke 23:34.
2. �Woman, behold thy Son�. John 19:2t-27
3. �Today you will be with me . . . � Luke 23:43
4. �My God, My God . . . .� Matthew 27:46
5. �I thirst� John 19:28
6. �Into thy hands. . . . � Luke 23:46
7. �It is finished�. John 19:30
B. The burial. John 19:38-42.

A. He descended first into the lower parts of earth. Vs. 9
B. Jesus there takes the keys of Death and Hell, preached to those in hell and sets the captives free.

1. Adam and Eve, for you was the first blood sacrifice offered.
2. Enoch and Elijah, I took you without seeing death.
3. Noah, you built the ark but I shut you in.
4. Abraham, I called you out, cut covenant with you, I am that Smoking Furnace, a Burning Lamp.
5. Moses, I was that Voice from the burning bush that spoke I Am, that I Am.
6. Joshua, I was with you at Jericho when the wails fell.
7. Rahab, I was that Scarlet Cord of protection that saved you and your household.
8. Gideon, I was the Sword of the Lord for you.
9. Daniel, I was with you and closed the mouth of die lions.
10. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, I was the Fourth Man in the furnace.
11. David, my Psalmist, I am the Rose of Sharon, the Bright and Morning Star. I am your Sword and Shield and Buckler, your High Tower.

A. ARISE! YOU HAVE BEEN REDEEMED! THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID! COME, FATHER WAITS!

A. Matthew 28:2-6 Go and tell.

1. An earthquake announced His death, another heralds His resurrection. Matthew 27:50-54

B. All of hell's demons and Satan rejoiced at His death.

I. They did not know He was in hell setting the captives free.
2. When the stone was rolled away by two Angels, Satan knew then that he was defeated.
3. He was seen, and spoke, and instructed them that He was going to His Father.
4. He was now taking His Blood to the Mercy Seat in heaven, and placing it on the Alter for all of eternity.

D. Colossians 2:15 All heaven was watching as the conqueror met the conquered.

1. Spoiled == means to strip off, disarm.
2. Straight from the Roman articles of war after victory.

E. Picture this scene In your mind.

1. All the old Saints of God with Jesus were proceeding up toward heaven.
2. Michael, the Archangel, is on His right hand as they enter the second Heaven and confront Satan and his forces.
3. Satan now stands before Jesus in full regalia.


F. Jesus begins to speak to Satan.

1. All your victories are now mine.
2. What you were, I now Am.
3. The title you once held, is now Mine.
4. What your name is, I take by victory, and my Name Is greater than yours is.

G. Now Michael steps up as Jesus continues to speak.

1. Michael strips off the right shoulder epaulette from his uniform.
2. Jesus continues to speak: Your name is Lucifer, the morning star.

a. I Am the Bright and Morning Star.
b. I Am the Star of Jacob, a greater Star.

3. Your name was the anointed Cherub that covers.

a. My name is the Anointed of God; I am Alpha and Omega, the Author of eternal salvation.
b. As Jesus spoke Michael continues to strip Satan of all his uniform.

4. Your name Is tempter.

a. My name is Truth.

5. I saw you fall from heaven as lightening.

a. I am the Lightening that shines from east to west.

6. You were God's musical creature.

a. I am the New Song sung In the midst of the Church of the Redeemed.

7. Your name has been a hinder to the church.

a. I am the Helper of the Brethren.

8. Your name is that old serpent.

a. I was that Brazen Serpent lifted up in the wilderness to heal all nations.

9. Your name is adversary to My people.

a. My name Is 'Advocate to My people'. I Am seated on the right hand of God.

10. Your name is angel of light.

a. My name Is the Light of the World.

11. Your name is prince of the world.

a. My name Is Prince of Peace, Prince of Princes, Prince of Life.

12. You were created as one of the Sons of God.

a. I Am the Son of God.

13. You lost all that my Father gave you.

a. Satan now has been stripped of all things. Now the final gesture, Michael takes Satan�s sword and breaks it in two and casts it at his feet as sign of total defeat.
b. All power that you had is now mine! ALL POWER IS GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND EARTH! "I AM KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!"

H. Gabriel, God's messenger of good news, sounds the trumpet

1. Heavens� gates begin to swing open.
2. All Heaven rings out in majestic display.
3. Jesus now turns to those with Him and says, "Let�s go to Father's House."
4. Abraham said, "That's it, that's it! The city I saw whose foundation and maker is God.

I. Then echoing through eternity Jesus shouts: Lift up ye heads, oh ye gates, Be lifted up ye everlasting doors, That the King of Glory may come in! The angels respond, "Who Is the King of Glory?" Jesus answers, "The Lord, strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle, He Is the King of Glory, Lift up your heads oh ye gates. And be lifted up ye everlasting doors. That the King of Glory may come in.

J. The mighty gates or heaven are swung open with a mighty shout


1. Jesus marches in with all the resurrected dead.
2. Walking up those golden streets to the Holy of Holies.
3. There He places His blood on the eternal altar in Heaven for all eternity.
4. The blood of the Everlasting Covenant.
5. The blood that is still fresh for us today.
6. That scarlet thread from the Garden of Eden to the cross has now entered Heaven and opened the gates that made the Throne of God accessible to all mankind. When the church really gets a hold of what Easter is all about, puts away the traditions of men, and begins to walk in that New Life Jesus has provided for us, Restoration has begun!