Resurrection of Christ
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light of the heavenly angels. They bitterly complained to their king,
that their prey had been taken violently from them, and that he whom
they so much hated had risen from the dead.
Satan and his angels had enjoyed a little moment of triumph 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 and power,
Jesus had not been overcome, but had laid open a way of salvation for
man, and whosoever would, might walk in it and be saved.
For a little, Satan seemed sad and showed distress. He held a
council with his angels to consider what they should engage in next
to work against the government of God. Said Satan, You must hasten
to the chief priests and elders. We succeeded in deceiving them and
blinding their eyes, and hardening their hearts against Jesus. We made
them believe he was an impostor. That Roman guard will carry the
hateful news that Christ is risen. We led the priests and elders on to
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hate Jesus, and to murder him. Now hold it before them in a bright
light, that as they were his murderers, if it becomes known that Jesus
is risen, they will be stoned to death by the people, in that they killed
an innocent man.
I saw the Roman guard, as the angelic host passed back to heaven,
and the light and glory passed away, raise themselves to see if it were
safe for them to look around. They were filled with amazement as they
saw that the great stone was rolled from the door of the sepulchre, and
Jesus was risen. They hastened to the chief priests and elders with the
wonderful story of what they had seen; and as those murderers heard
the marvelous report, paleness sat upon every face. Horror seized them
at what they had done. They then realized that if the report was correct,
they were lost. For a little they were stupefied, and looked one to the
other in silence, not knowing what to do or say. They were placed
where they could not believe unless it be to their own condemnation.
They went aside by themselves to consult what should be done. They
decided that if it should be spread abroad that Jesus had risen, and the
report of such amazing glory, which caused the guard to fall like dead
men, should come to the people, they would surely be enraged, and
would slay them. They decided to hire the soldiers to keep the matter