Well, we turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for the answer. That’s the only place we’ll find a satisfactory answer. Jesus Christ is called “the firstborn from the dead.” [Colossians 1:18: “And He is the Head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”] He is the first one to be resurrected from the dead, to be raised from the dead to die no more!

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1 through 8: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures….” That’s Good News! “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures….” “And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures….”

Then, Paul begins, at that point, to give a list of witnesses, numerous witnessesand NAMES of witnesses!—men who were currently living at that time! These witnesses could bear testimony to the resurrected Lord! They had seen Christ after He was raised from the dead! There was ample proof! He was seen by James! He was seen of all the apostles! He was seen by Cephas [Peter]! And Paul says, “And last of all He was seen of me also….” Paul is saying, I saw Him; I had a conversation with Him after He was raised from the dead.

Then Paul says, “Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen…,” [1 Corinthians 15:12-13]. And that’s reasonable. Then, he goes on a bit later in this same chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, and he says, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept…,” (verse 20). “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive,” (verse 22).

One of the beautiful passages that we have from Jesus Christ our Lord, one of the most beautiful and reassuring statements that we have from our Lord Himself, is found in the Gospel of John, the 14^th chapter. Jesus had spoken to the apostles about His immediate departure—it’s going to happen real soon. They were saddened, and He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me,” (verse 1). And then, down here a little bit later in the same chapter, He says, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also,” (verse 19).

So, when it comes time for us to die, and that time will come for all of us, we know, then of course, we have this promise, if we’re Christians, that, because He’s alive, we’re going to see Him. We’re going to live on, and we’re going to see Him. A little while, He’s not going to be seen, and then, soon we’re going to see Him and be with Him. That’s what He promised in John, chapter 14. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also,” 'font-size: 12.0pt;color:black'>[verses 1-3].

Well, He died; and He went to heaven, Acts, chapter 1, verses 9 through 11 [“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, Which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” ]. This Scripture says that He ascended into heaven, and the people saw Him; the apostles saw Him ascend into heaven. As He is in heaven, He’s gone to heaven to prepare a place for you and me so that, where He IS in heaven, you and I can go there, too.

Say! I’m saying that the Gospel, the Message of Jesus Christ, really IS Gospel, isn’t it.

There are some other reasons that I’d like to discuss with you, but our time is up. These reasons embrace ALL that Jesus has said. There are things we’d like to talk about in detail, but there is not enough time. We’ll list these three reasons, again, why the Message of Christ is really Good News:

Number One: Jesus Christ is our Savior. That’s Good News! We are not going to remain lost if we come to Christ. We’ll be reconciled to God IN Christ. That’s Good News—we have a Savior!

Number Two: The Way that Jesus taught us to live here on this earth, just among ourselves, here, day by day, is the best Way that we’ve ever found anywhere.

Number Three: When this life is over, we have a hope. And it isn’t a vain hope. Oh, there is assurance and assurance—that empty tomb shouts loudly around the WORLD tonight, Christ arose! And since He arose from the dead, you and I can also be raised and live with Him.