Chapter 81—“The Lord Is Risen”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15
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The night of the first day of the week had worn slowly away. The
darkest hour, just before daybreak, had come. Christ was still a prisoner
in His narrow tomb. The great stone was in its place; the Roman seal
was unbroken; the Roman guards were keeping their watch. And there
were unseen watchers. Hosts of evil angels were gathered about the
place. Had it been possible, the prince of darkness with his apostate
army would have kept forever sealed the tomb that held the Son of
God. But a heavenly host surrounded the sepulcher. Angels that excel
in strength were guarding the tomb, and waiting to welcome the Prince
of life.
“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the
Lord descended from heaven.” Clothed with the panoply of God, this
angel left the heavenly courts. The bright beams of God’s glory went
before him, and illuminated his pathway. “His countenance was like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the
keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”
Now, priests and rulers, where is the power of your guard? Brave
soldiers that have never been afraid of human power are now as cap-
tives taken without sword or spear. The face they look upon is not the
face of mortal warrior; it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord’s host.
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This messenger is he who fills the position from which Satan fell. It is
he who on the hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ’s birth. The earth
trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls
away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers
see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry,
Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come
forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher,
“I am the resurrection, and the life.” As He comes forth in majesty and
glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and
welcome Him with songs of praise.
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