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Resurrection of Christ
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sepulcher, those shining angels prostrated themselves to the earth in
worship and hailed Him with songs of victory and triumph.
Satan’s angels had been compelled to flee before the bright,
penetrating light of the heavenly angels, and they bitterly complained
to their king that their prey had been violently taken from them, and
that He whom they so much hated had risen from the dead. Satan
and his hosts had exulted that their power over fallen man had caused
the Lord of life to be laid in the grave, but short was their hellish
triumph. For as Jesus walked forth from His prison house a majestic
conqueror, Satan knew that after a season he must die, and his
kingdom pass unto Him whose right it was. He lamented and raged
that, notwithstanding all his efforts, Jesus had not been overcome
but had opened a way of salvation for man, and whosoever would
might walk in it and be saved.
The evil angels and their commander met in council to consider
how they could still work against the government of God. Satan
bade his servants go to the chief priests and elders. Said he, “We
succeeded in deceiving them, blinding their eyes and hardening their
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hearts against Jesus. We made them believe that He was an imposter.
That Roman guard will carry the hateful news that Christ has risen.
We led the priests and elders on to hate Jesus and to murder Him.
Now hold it before them that if it becomes known that Jesus is risen,
they will be stoned by the people for putting to death an innocent
man.”
The Report of the Roman Guard
As the host of heavenly angels departed from the sepulcher and
the light and glory passed away, the Roman guard ventured to raise
their heads and look about them. They were filled with amazement
as they saw that the great stone had been rolled from the door of
the sepulcher and that the body of Jesus was gone. They hastened
to the city to make known to the priests and elders what they had
seen. As those murderers listened to the marvelous report, paleness
sat upon every face. Horror seized them at the thought of what they
had done. If the report was correct, they were lost. For a time they
sat in silence, looking upon one another’s faces, not knowing what
to do or what to say. To accept the report would be to condemn