Risen
From 4/24/21 message:
Ran across a Drama titled “Risen” made in 2016 that was free on Tubi TV this past week. Just had to check it out because of the title and found it more than interesting. It was inspirational! It also aroused my historical curiosity. It was about a Roman Centurion whose name was Claudius Lysias during the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixtion and resurrection. The second name Lysias is what got me researching some history about who this Claudius was and may have become.
There are a number of times the word “centurion(s)” is mentioned in the New Testament. There are three by name:
(1) Claudius and/or Claudius Lysias – Acts 18:2, 23:26, 24:7-22 This was a chief captain that rescued Paul from the High Priest, elders and an orator named Tertullus. (Acts 24:1-7) The second name “Lysias” was more than likely from being from “Lycia”, a province in Asia Minor. (Acts 27:5) This same Claudius would have been at the crucifixtion. (Matt. 27:54, Mark:39-45)
(2) Cornelius was a Roman Centurion who believed and had much faith. (Acts 10:1-22) and most likely (Matt. 8:5-13)
(3) Julius was a guard that the Centurion Captain (Claudius) turned Paul over to after he claimed Roman citizenship. (Acts 22:22-29)
In the film, Claudius Lysias was a Chief Captain in Jerusalem during the latter days of Jesus Christ and his last Passover celebration as the sacrificial Lamb of God. This would have been prior to Paul’s conversion. (Acts 9) The issue of the body of Christ came to question, and that is the basis of the film. It begins and concludes just after the ascension of Christ following the catch of many fishes. (Matt. 28, Mark 16:14-20, Luke 24:45-53, John 21) The Sea of Galilee was also called The Sea of Tiberias (Tiberius as in Caesar, Luke 3:1). I believe the film is truly inspired. I also believe that this Claudius Lysias later became Emperor of Rome and reigned 41 – 54 AD, the years Paul made his missionary journeys freely. Claudius died suspiciously in early 54 AD and his nephew Nero (suspected in Claudius’ suspicious death) became Emperor and began the Roman persecution of the followers of Christ with the imprisonment and beheading of the Apostle Paul in 68 AD. (2Tim. 4)
Daniel 12:1-4
(KJV) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Tubi TV has taken the movie off since 2021, but it is soon to come back. I did find the full movie on Vimeo via bing.com. Just click embed and watch movie in a new tab.
I believe this movie to be truly inspired.
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Four other sites with some historical information:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claudius-Roman-emperor#ref1344
From the article:
…According to the biographer Suetonius in Claudius, during a period of troubles Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome for a short time; Christians may have been involved. Elsewhere he confirmed existing Jewish rights and privileges, and in Alexandria he tried to protect the Jews without provoking Egyptian nationalism. In a surviving letter addressed to the city of Alexandria, he asked Jews and non-Jews “to stop this destructive and obstinate mutual enmity.” Although personally disinclined to accept divine honours, he did not seriously oppose the current trend and had a temple erected to himself in Camulodunum….
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https://rome.us/roman-emperors/#Vespasian
https://ourdailybread.org/article/the-centurion-at-the-cross/
From the article:
…“Truly this was the Son of God!” What a declaration! These were not quavering words from a frightened pup of a recruit or an easily manipulated conscript. This was the reasoned conclusion of a seasoned veteran who had been watching men die horrible deaths—and had been putting them to death—for years.
Some have speculated about what he meant. Was this a confession of faith, or was he just trying to define something outside the scope of his experience? I believe that the answer is in the context. Obviously the centurion was deeply moved by the events he had witnessed, and the declaration of deity is what followed his observation.
We need to consider two things in order to fully and carefully consider the magnitude of the centurion’s words: the evidence against this declaration and the evidence in support of this declaration.
The evidence against such a declaration was strong indeed. This centurion was well aware of the strong condemnation of the Jewish religious leaders that had put Jesus on the cross for making the claim to be the Son of God. His commander-in-chief, Pontius Pilate, had upheld the conviction for Jesus’ making that claim. But the centurion rejects the condemnation and affirms Jesus’ claim. Why? Because the arguments in favor of Christ’s claim were overwhelming.
Looking at the evidence in support of this declaration, we must remember that this man had no doubt supervised many crucifixions. Yet there was something extraordinarily different about this particular execution. What did he see? There are several scenes from the events of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus that combine into a compelling mosaic….
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A 2,000-Year-Old Ring That May Have Belonged To The Man Who Crucified Jesus Changes The Whole Story
From the article:
Pontius Pilate was the man who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But while many people may think they know the story of Jesus’ death, a recent discovery will no doubt change their minds. Because when experts found an ancient ring in Bethlehem, they realized it led all the way back to Pilate. It also meant that the researchers had to re-examine the entire Bible story in light of the surprising new evidence. Their findings would cause shockwaves in the biblical community, too.
That’s because the crucifixion of Jesus obviously plays a central role in Christianity. Many people believe that Christ’s death made a relationship with God possible. Followers also believe that it helped grant eternal life for those who believe as well. But does this latest discovery change things?…
…Consequently, it’s held that Jesus was arrested for his alleged crimes and found himself before the fifth prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate. Largely believed to have been a violent and imperious ruler, Pilate was reportedly disdainful of the Jewish people and overly fond of executions. And the decision that he is said to have made during Jesus’ trial would forever place him in the annals of history….
…That decision – and the man who reportedly made it – of course left an indelible mark on history. And what’s more, items that apparently date back to Biblical times are still being found. Which brings us back to why Gideon Foerster was in the modern-day West Bank. Beginning in 1968, the archaeologist – along with a team from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem – had been searching the area for any ancient relics that could be uncovered….
…But it wasn’t until several decades later that one of the items – a copper ring – really piqued interest. Indeed, although the piece of jewelry had been unearthed by Foerster and his team in the 1960s, it only got experts truly excited in 2018. What’s so special about the ring, you might ask? Well, according to researchers in Israel, it could have major historical importance.
After the ring was given a thorough cleaning, you see, it took on a very different aspect – and what appeared on the surface of the piece shocked the researchers working on it. Underneath the grime, and alongside an emblem of a wine vessel known as a krater, were Greek letters spelling out the phrase “of Pilatus.”…
…But while we know that the Greek symbols spell out “Pilatus” – or “Pilate” – how do we know that this refers to the Roman Prefect of Judea? Well, Pilate’s name was an extremely rare one during this period. In fact, researchers believe there is no evidence to suggest that there were any other people with that name in the province at the time. So, given the markings on the ring, it seemed as though Foerster and his team may well have found an artifact belonging to Pontius Pilate. And yet it should be noted that there is evidence to the contrary – not least because the ring itself is relatively plain.
Indeed, according to a 2018 report by the Israel Exploration Society in the Israel Exploration Journal, the ring is of simple construction and “was not prepared by a master smith.” And since the artifact was cast in one piece with a thin, raised edge, it certainly doesn’t have “wealthy governor” written all over it; rich Romans were far more likely to favor gold, silver, gemstones and glass in their jewelry.
In fact, according to the report, “simple, all-metal rings were primarily the property of soldiers, officials and middle-income folk of all occupations.” And in addition, the ring appears to have been made for the stamping of documents. Researchers aren’t sure, then, whether Pilate wore the piece himself or if it was sported by an administrator acting in his name.
Even so, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, this particular type of ring was “a hallmark of the cavalry in Roman times, to which Pilate belonged.” This, then, adds further weight to the argument that the jewelry item is linked to the prefect – although it does not necessarily prove that he owned it personally….
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God is always in control and the Lord chooses whom he pleases to fulfil his desires and maintain the prophetic timeline. Emperor Claudius (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 41-54 AD) pretty much allowed religious freedom of all kinds during his reign. Claudius was murdered and Nero became Emperor in 54 AD and reigned until his death in 68 AD.
Hope yawl enjoy the film.
Have a restful Sabbath.
LOLGB+
The Ezekiel 33 Watchman Report 