Chapter 13—The Resurrection
Every preparation had been made at the sepulcher to prevent any
surprise or fraud being perpetrated by the disciples. The night had
worn slowly away, and the darkest hour before daybreak had come.
The Roman guards were keeping their weary watch, the sentinels
pacing to and fro before the sepulcher, while the remainder of the
detachment of one hundred soldiers were reclining upon the ground in
different positions, taking what rest they could. But angels were also
guarding the sepulcher, one of whom could have stricken down the
whole Roman army by the ting forth of his power.
One of the most exalted order of angels is sent from Heaven; his
countenance is like the lightning, and his garments white as snow. He
parts the darkness from his track, and the whole heavens are lit with
his resplendent glory. The sleeping soldiers start simultaneously to
their feet, and gaze with awe and wonder at the open, lighted heavens,
[192]
and the vision of brightness which approaches. The earth trembles and
heaves; soldiers, officers, and sentinels all fall as dead men prostrate
upon the earth. The evil angels, who have triumphantly claimed the
body of Christ, flee in terror from the place. One of the mighty,
commanding angels who has, with his company, been keeping watch
over the tomb of his Master, joins the powerful angel who comes from
Heaven; and together they advance directly to the sepulcher.
The angelic commander laid hold of the great stone which had
required many strong men to place it in position, rolled it away, and
took his seat upon it, while his companion entered the sepulcher and
unwound the wrappings from the face and head of Jesus. Then the
mighty angel, with a voice that caused the earth to quake, was heard:
Jesus, thou Son of God, thy Father calls thee! Then he who had earned
the power to conquer death and the grave came forth, with the tread
of a conqueror, from the sepulcher, amid the reeling of the earth,
the flashing of lightning, and the roaring of thunder. An earthquake
marked the hour when Christ laid down his life; and another earthquake
signaled the moment when he took it up again in triumph.
134