Jesus was raised from the dead. The disciples were filled with emotion. The ladies who first went to the open tomb were both "afraid yet filled with joy." Peter was "wondering to himself what had happened." From Sunday morning awe to Pentecostal amazement must have been an exciting time.

What made the time between the resurrection and Pentecost so thrilling was that Jesus was the center of it all. From the announcement to Mary of her eventual conception to the Pentecostal filling of the Holy Spirit the hearts of people were stirred. Words such as Awe, Amazed, Wondered, Astonished, Feared, or Angered could describe the feelings.

Yet, as we look specifically at the time period from the resurrection to Pentecost there are fifty days of purpose, within which the Risen Lord will teach the disciples. Christ's purpose is to teach them concerning the "Kingdom of God." Actually, Jesus appeared to them over a period of forty days to teach, but Pentecost was fifty days from Passover, the feast that Jesus instituted the "Last Supper," and later was led to trial.

The fifty day period began with the silence of a Sabbath. Then the events moved rapidly from the ladies finding the empty tomb and Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus in the Tomb garden. Apparently, Peter saw Jesus at some point (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). The two walking to Emmaus had their meeting with Jesus, and then those who had been designated Apostles, except for Thomas, were startled by Christ's appearance in the upper room. After eight days Jesus appeared to all eleven disciples, Thomas believed after he saw the nail prints in Jesus' hand. And of course, Jesus prepared a fish breakfast at the Sea of Tiberias for Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples.

After this Jesus appeared periodically to instruct the Eleven concerning the Kingdom of God.

First Jesus instilled faith by appearing to them in various ways to reveal Himself as the risen Savior, proving to the disciples that He was really alive and could be trusted. Then came the training.

We as Christians can learn from this experience. It may be wise to appear before people before teaching them. Show them the influence your faith has had on your life. It is said, "seeing is believing." As people see you they recognize you as having a code of character, with integrity, and a goodwill toward others. This causes the one watching you to wonder what makes you to be so self-composed without being arrogantly confident. In effect, those around you begin to notice you live life with purpose.

Jesus then taught the disciples. Forty days Jesus taught under the theme of "The Kingdom of God." It wasn't a different theme from His earthly ministry, but it was substantiated by the events of His death, burial and resurrection.

After you and I reveal the changes in our life, which have come by knowing the resurrected Jesus, we should begin teaching the "Kingdom of God" to those observing us. This message is simple, yet powerful, convicting, and transforming. This message reveals mankind's need for Kingdom Citizenship. Outside the kingdom is hopelessness. Matter of fact, those in eternity, being outside, are spoken of this way, "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood" (Rev. 22:15 & 21:8). Seems like prison to me. To be in the Kingdom is opposed to being in an eternal prison. To live in an environment completely void of God's blessing is Hell, or also called "the second death."