Easter or Passover â€“ right around the corner

For Christians and Jews, the holiest time of the year is approaching – the inter-related holidays of Passover and Easter.

If you're looking to share some inspiration with your family members and friends this holiday season, the WND Superstore special Easter-Passover store has some excitement in store.

First, there are some great DVDs that can and should be watched every year at this time:

"The Case for Christ's Resurrection": Did Jesus really rise from the dead? This documentary investigates the historical record, draws upon medical knowledge, searches for evidence in the lives of the Apostles, explores ancient Jewish burial customs, and – with new scientific technologies – examines the 2,000-year-old burial cloth of Christ. For the first time through physics and space-age imaging, scientists are able to view the crucified body of Christ in a three-dimensional, holographic image. Learn what scientists have discovered. Your faith will be strengthened! Some people believe the basics of Christianity will be nullified by the recent upsurge in scientific discoveries. However, recent scientific advances are actually confirming them! Dr. Gary Habermans, research professor and chair of the department of theology at Liberty University, states that "Science, combined with written descriptions by non-Christians, of the events of Jesus' life and death, make it clear that Christian beliefs are grounded in fact." Did you know there were at least 500 eyewitnesses in and around Jerusalem who actually saw or talked with Jesus after his resurrection? In addition, you'll learn of more than 20 non-Christian sources written between 30 and 130 A.D. that refer to Jesus of Nazareth as a historical figure. Twelve mention His death and provide details on how He died. Ten of these refer to his resurrection. This production raises questions such as whether Christ left behind clues to prove his resurrection. Since the resurrection, skeptics have argued that the body was stolen, not resurrected. Is there finally evidence that proves He was resurrected? This documentary even comes with 3-D viewing glasses so you can personally evaluate the new evidence.

"The Miraculous Mission": There is no other story like it on earth. Twelve ordinary men … one extraordinary journey that changed the course of human history – forever! This exciting docudrama presents the story of the 12 Apostles as you've never seen it. Using 21st-century technology, faith and science collide in an investigation so compelling it dares to offer answers to questions that have lingered for thousands of years. Was the success of their mission a miracle or a fluke? Can modern science shed light on the ancient biblical story of Jesus' resurrection and reveal the truth or fiction behind it? And …with the world's greatest superpower wielding its full force against them, how did 12 ordinary men with a simple message of hope change the entire world? "The Miraculous Mission" features interviews with leading scholars, exciting recreations, and authentic footage that brings viewers closer than ever before to the amazing lives of the men who knew Jesus best. Based on the best-selling books "Twelve Ordinary Men" and perennial favorite "The Search for the Twelve Apostles."

"The Feasts of the Lord": You might be surprised to learn that Jesus' disciples didn't celebrate Easter. They continued to observe "The Feasts of the Lord," according to Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries. In a series of two DVD teachings produced by WND Videos you will learn about the relevance of these feasts to you – the modern believer in Yeshua, as Jesus was known by His Hebrew brethren. The spring feasts – or appointed times – were fulfilled by the first coming of Yeshua, which means "Salvation." The fall feasts will be fulfilled by His Second Coming – in the very near future, explains Biltz in an engaging, informative and entertaining series of teachings you will want to watch again and again and share with your friends, relatives and fellow believers. Biltz emphasizes that these feasts, described in Leviticus, were not intended for the Jewish people alone. They are repeatedly referred to in the Bible as "the Lord's feasts" – meaning they are for all people. They are meant to be observed as well as to serve as signs of the times in which we live – reminders of the greatest events of the past and foreshadowings of the future to come. Biltz says much of the church is asleep – unaware of the significance of the feasts in God's holy time clock. The feasts were not intended to be abandoned by believers after the coming of Jesus. His followers observed them in the First Century. It's time to rediscover them again as the hour of His return approaches.

Explore the new Easter-Passover store at the WND Superstore.

"The Passion of the Christ": Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson presents this profound story of courage and sacrifice. "The Passion of the Christ" is a film about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The film opens in Gethsemane where Jesus has gone to pray after the last supper. The events that follow are adapted from the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. From the scene where Jesus is questioned by Caiaphas whether He is the son of God, and replies "I AM," which to Caiaphas justifies the charge of blasphemy, to Peter's denial of knowing Jesus, to the remorseful Judas who, tormented by demons, flees the city and hangs himself, this film is filled with emotion, inspiration, and a gut-wrenching reality. The film reaches its climax as Jesus carries the cross along the Via Dolorosa to Calvary. Simon of Cyrene is unwillingly pressed into carrying the cross for Jesus. Jesus is crucified, and after His death, a single drop of rain falls from the sky. Jesus is lowered from the cross to his mother Mary, who looks directly at the audience in this Pietà. The movie ends with Jesus' resurrection and exit from the tomb, with the holes in his hands from the nails visible as he walks. This seamless combination of stunning cinematography and inspirational acting makes "The Passion of the Christ" a masterpiece in filmmaking.

It's also available in Blu-Ray widescreen format and standard DVD widescreen format.

"The Fabric of Time": Have scientists actually been able to produce a full three-dimensional image of Christ? Has science found a way to reveal the true identity of Jesus Christ? Might a three-dimensional, holographic image – created by scientists with information taken from an ancient fiber – allow us to see what he really looked like? Did Christ leave us physical evidence that only now, with quantum leaps forward in science, are we able to understand? "The Fabric of Time" examines amazing new scientific discoveries to find the answers.

"Yeshua/Jesus": This documentary explores the Hebrew Roots of Jesus. This two-part documentary investigation looks at the intriguing heritage of biblical Israel and the Jewish origins of the Christian faith. This video uncovers some wonderful truths about the character, background and personality of Jesus which have been overlooked by much of the church. Your spiritual understanding and insight into the Bible and the world in which Jesus lived and ministered will be enriched and enlarged. Journalist Peter Darg and film-producer Marc Villiger take you on a fascinating journey of discovery to Israel. In part one, discover the intense Jewish religious atmosphere in which Jesus grew up and began his Messianic mission. In part two, gain new insights into the message Jesus proclaimed to his own people, the Jews, that would soon transform the entire world.

"The Gospel of John":An epic in the spirit of "The Passion of the Christ," this widely acclaimed motion picture is a meticulous recreation of the turbulent era of Jesus and the events that changed the course of history! Narrated by Golden Globe nominee Christopher Plummer (Best Supporting Actor for "American Tragedy"), it's the bold and powerful story of Jesus as told by his disciple John. The best-loved but least understood of the gospels, John presents a uniquely human portrait of courage and passion encompassing Jesus' entire three-year ministry, the final years of his life. Intimate and reflective, "The Gospel of John" offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the incomparable life and times of Jesus Christ.

And then there are the books:

"The Hebrew Yeshua Vs. the Greek Jesus": Can you really learn about your own Lord and Savior from a Jewish scholar? Get ready. An astonishing realization has recently gripped the Christian world: Jesus Christ was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Gentile. Yeshua of Nazareth was raised in an observant Jewish family in a culture where the Torah (five books of Moses) was the National Constitution. Yeshua's teachings, which supposedly form the basis for Western Christianity, are now filtered through 2,000 years of traditions born in ignorance of the land, language, and culture of the Bible. The issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees are simply not understood by modern Christians; nor are his most important instructions followed by those who claim to be his disciples. Former Pharisee, Nehemia Gordon, a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and Semitic language expert, explores the ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew from manuscripts long hidden away in the archives of Jewish scribes. Gordon's research reveals that the more "modern" Greek text of Matthew, from which the Western world's versions were translated, depicts "another Jesus" from the Yeshua portrayed in the ancient Hebrew version of Matthew. Gordon explains the life-and-death conflict Yeshua had with the Pharisees as they schemed to grab the reins of Judaism in the first century, and brings that conflict into perspective for both Jew and Christian alike.

You can also get a DVD teaching video presentation by Gordon, or, better yet, get the combination of the book and DVD bundled for special savings.

"The Joy of Resurrection": This beautiful gift book offers a meditative journey into the meaning of the resurrection through gorgeous black-and-white photos and inspirational essays by well-known authors such as Max Lucado, Ruth Bell Graham, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, C. S. Lewis, Joni Eareckson Tada, and others. Readers will be inspired to see God's mercy every day – in a note from a friend, a phone call from the kids, the scent of freshly mown grass. And they will discover new insights on how Christ loved us when He died on the cross – and rose triumphantly from the grave on Easter morning. A beautiful book that will be enjoyed year after year.

"Time Is the Ally of Deceit":A theologian and historian committed to discovering the original practices of Christianity, Richard Rives wrote the book "Time is the Ally of Deceit." It looks at the roots of Christianity, then traces its blending with paganism up until the present day. Readers will be stunned by the changes that the worship of Jesus Christ has undergone since its beginning. Many aspects of traditional Christianity cannot be found in the Bible. They can however be traced directly to the worship of pagan gods which predate Christianity by centuries. How is it that precepts that have nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with pagan sun worship have found their way into our churches? History reveals that there is one very good answer: "Time is the Ally of Deceit."

"Too Long In The Sun": This book is packed with details which relate to the apostasy of the "Last Days" as prophesied by both the Old and New Testaments. Revealed are the astonishing facts about the ancient "Mysteries", paganism, and its influence upon present day thought. Another book by Richard Rives, it shows how pagan sun worship has been blended with true worship of our Creator. Rives, from a historical/biblical standpoint, studies the influence of pagan sun worship on Christianity. According to Rives, paganism has so influenced Christianity that it is actually a far cry from the original intended worship of Jesus Christ. Discover the origins of Christmas, Sabbath rest, Easter, the influence of the Chaldeans, Babylonians, Greco-Romans, and much more! Rives' book is backed by scripture and historical documentation and illustrated with maps diagrams, photos, and drawings.

"The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven": In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his 6-year-old son, Alex, suffered a horrific car accident. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex – and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. "I think Alex has gone to be with Jesus," a friend told the stricken dad. But two months later, Alex awoke from a coma with an incredible story to share, of events at the accident scene and in the hospital while he was unconscious. Of the angels that took him through the gates of heaven itself. Of the unearthly music that sounded just terrible to a six-year-old. And, most amazing of all ... Of meeting and talking to Jesus. "The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven" is the true story of an ordinary boy's most extraordinary journey. As you see heaven and earth through Alex’s eyes, you’ll come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father’s love.

"Heaven Is for Real": This book is riveting the entire nation right now – a No. 1 best-seller. "Heaven Is for Real" is the true story of the 4-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

Explore the new Easter-Passover store at the WND Superstore.

"The Shroud Codex": Ready for some inspirational holiday fiction? Don't miss Jerome Corsi's "The Shroud Codex." As Father Bartholomew – newly returned to his parish, the venerable St. Joseph's Church in upper Manhattan – celebrates Mass, blood starts running down his arm. The horrified congregation watches him collapse to the ground, his vestments soaked with the blood pouring from wounds on his wrists. The phenomenon is known as stigmata, when a person appears to manifest the wounds that Christ suffered upon the cross. But in Father Bartholomew's case there is a mysterious added dimension: He has been transformed to resemble in almost every physical aspect the Christ-like figure represented on the Shroud of Turin. Worried that Bartholomew's case could be proved a hoax, the Vatican employs Dr. Castle and Professor Gabrielli to investigate. But for the well-known psychiatrist and the experienced man of science both, Father Bartholomew presents the most perplexing challenge either has ever faced. Dr. Castle watches in person while the priest appears to writhe in agony, blood spurting from wounds identical to those portrayed on the famous shroud, and he wonders if he too can have been sucked into some kind of shared hallucination. Meanwhile, Professor Gabrielli – confident that he can reproduce the shroud by using materials and methods available in the Middle Ages – works frantically to prove that the shroud is a medieval forgery. But when the priest's uncanny resemblance to the crucified Christ on the Shroud prompts the two men to investigate the famous artifact itself, each is finally forced to face mysteries that cannot be explained by sheer reason alone. It will be the most unsettling – and eventually soul-wrenching – journey of discovery they have ever undertaken.

"Road to the Resurrection":Greg Laurie has a worldwide ministry as a pastor, evangelist, media contributor and the author of more than 40 books. In "Road to the Resurrection," Laurie has written a book designed to broaden the reader's understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus, deepen the Easter experience, draw the reader closer to the risen Jesus and prompt them to worship. In Mark chapter 14, we see that while others failed to understand the meaning of Christ's words, a woman with an expensive alabaster jar of perfume was listening. She allowed his words to penetrate her mind and to break her heart. That broken heart led to a broken jar, and the fragrance of her worship filled the house. It is apparent that this woman measured the perfume's value against the forthcoming sacrifice of her Savior – a lifetime of love poured out in the space of a few hours, on the cross. That is what Easter is about – the love of God. A love that endured pain, ridicule, anguish and death for the sake of all of us. And what should our response be? Worship; pure unadulterated worship. "Road to the Resurrection" provides a guidebook to the facts and circumstances surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The reader will examine the people, places and timeline of that first Easter. But more than that, the reader will delve into the prophecies of those events, given hundreds of years prior, as well what happened after Christ rose from the dead.

"Shocked By the Bible": What do you think the Bible says is your ultimate destiny? And what will you be doing for all eternity? Is it merely floating around on clouds, playing songs on harps forevermore? The true answers may absolutely floor you. "When people actually crack open the pages of their own Bible and see the words on its pages, the ultimate destiny for believers is far more glorious than what most people have been told for centuries," says Joe Kovacs, author of the No. 1 best-seller, "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told." Many Christians already understand that part of their reward is eternal life, and yes, Scripture indeed confirms that numerous times. But the Bible goes far beyond just saying believers will be alive forever. The specifics are revealed in "Shocked by the Bible," a timeless must-read for those looking for the absolute truth of the Bible. Not only does it clearly explain the ultimate destiny for mankind, the book is a giant news report that informs people on what is actually in the Bible, and what is not. With that in mind, how well do you really know your own Bible? For instance, guess how many doves were aboard Noah's Ark. The answer is not two. And guess on which day the Bible says Jesus died. Believe it or not, the Good Book doesn't mention Friday, and even more surprisingly, while the Bible says Jesus rose from the grave, it does not say it occurred Sunday morning. Remember, Jesus' followers found an empty tomb then. But don't feel bad if you've always assumed otherwise. Like countless millions of people, you've just been misinformed, misled or even (dare we say) lied to about what the Bible actually says. In his stunning investigation, news veteran Joe Kovacs goes on a mission to help both Christians and non-Christians alike find out the amazing truth. "Shocked by the Bible" is an educational juggernaut that relies solely on the Holy Bible to reveal hundreds of Scriptural facts that many people of all persuasions simply don't know. The book instantly skyrocketed to the No. 1 position in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com, and demand from Christians worldwide has led to its translation into Russian and Korean.

Lastly, there's a timeless special report you shouldn't be without this Passover/Easter season – or any in the future.

"The Stunning Science of the Shroud": In an increasingly secular, science-worshipping age like ours – marked not only by chaos, immorality and high-level deception, but by a widespread loss of faith – here comes a mystery of cosmic proportions. For centuries, many Christians have believed the Shroud of Turin – a 14-foot piece of linen bearing the haunting image of a crucified man – is the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth. Skeptics maintain it's a fake, a view bolstered by 1988 radiocarbon tests dating the Shroud to the 13th century, thus deeming it a medieval forgery. But recently, all that has changed, as revealed in last May's issue of Whistleblower magazine. First, shroud scientists, including a formerly outspoken skeptic, concede their radiocarbon dating results were fatally flawed since, incredibly, samples taken from the Shroud in 1988 for the testing were contaminated by medieval reweaving which occurred after a fire nearly destroyed the Shroud centuries ago. Many other uncanny facts have emerged:

Even with today's high technology and know-how, skeptics remain unable to reproduce the image they insist was created by a clever faker 700 years ago.
Since the image on the Shroud is essentially a perfect photographic negative that would not be properly "seen" until modern photography was invented centuries later, how could a 14th century artisan accomplish such a feat?
The fabric areas on the Shroud where the image is contained are only one fiber deep, so no paint or stain on earth could remain on the top surface of the first layer of the fibrils.
The Shroud displays the precise medical details of crucifixion – complexities only recently documented – that no medieval artist could possibly have known.

It gets much more amazing.

Assuming the image was actually made by placing the body of a man in the middle of the 14-foot length of fabric – which most everyone who has studied it believes is the case – three-dimensional, holographic images made from photographs of the Shroud suggest the body was weightless or levitating when they produced the likeness.
That's right, 3-D holographic information somehow mysteriously present in the Shroud reveals that the image is one produced not from a body lying on a stone slab, but rather an image of a weightless body, perhaps levitating above its resting place – without the indentations of the calves, buttocks and shoulders one would expect to see of a body lying on a hard surface.

Highlights of "STUNNING SCIENCE OF THE SHROUD," which is packed with extraordinary close-up photographs of the Shroud of Turin, include:

"A mystery story from the eons" by Joseph Farah
"Christ: The first Christian martyr" by Mary Jo Anderson, a gripping examination of how the burial cloths of Jesus shed new light on what it means to suffer for one's faith
"Is the Shroud a medieval forgery?" by Jerome R. Corsi, on new evidence that casts doubt on the 1988 radiocarbon tests
"Shroud wounds meet modern forensic evidence standards" by Jerome R. Corsi, who shows the crucified man's injuries seen in the famed burial cloth are authentic to biblical descriptions
"3-D image of the real Jesus Christ?" by Chelsea Schilling, on how high technology makes the figure of the crucified man on the Shroud of Turin come to life
"Before 'Avatar': Shroud of Turin has 3-D characteristics" by Jerome R. Corsi
"The Shroud and modern science" by John P. Jackson, Ph.D., and Rebecca Jackson, a stunning scientific summary by top researchers who have examined the mind-boggling evidence that a piece of linen cloth may have "witnessed" Christ's resurrection
"Did the Knights Templar bring the Shroud of Turin to Europe?" by Jerome R. Corsi, who shows how history traces the sacred burial cloth back to the first century AD and the time of Christ
"Is Leonardo da Vinci the face of the man in the Shroud of Turin?" – Skeptics claim famous painter, inventor tricked Christians with world's first photograph
"The Shroud Codex" by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D., a sneak peek inside Jerome Corsi's stunning new novel of faith and reason

What does all this mean? Physicist John P. Jackson, Ph.D., one of the world's most prominent Shroud researchers and leader of a major multi-scientist Shroud investigative project, has studied the mysterious cloth for decades. While advising that we must remain "open to whatever outcome future research will give us," he openly concedes evidence exists that the 14-foot piece of linen may indeed be a virtual photograph of Jesus Christ at the moment of his resurrection – or as Jackson put it, "a direct witness to the Resurrection."

Explore the new Easter-Passover store at the WND Superstore.