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Chapter 81—“The Lord Is Risen”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 28:2-4
;
11-15
.
The night of the first day of the week had worn slowly away.
Christ was still a prisoner in His tomb. The Roman seal was un-
broken; the Roman guards were keeping their watch. Had it been
possible, the prince of darkness would have kept forever sealed the
tomb that held the Son of God. But heavenly angels that excel in
strength were waiting to welcome the Prince of life.
“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of
the Lord descended from heaven.” The bright beams of God’s glory
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.”
This messenger was he who fills the position from which Satan
fell. As he rolled away the stone, heaven seemed to come down
to earth. The soldiers saw him removing the stone as he would a
pebble, and heard him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls
Thee. They saw Jesus come forth from the grave and heard Him
proclaim over the rent sepulcher, “I am the resurrection, and the life.”
As He came forth in majesty and glory, the angel host welcomed
Him with songs of praise.
At sight of the angels and the glorified Saviour, the Roman guard
had fainted and become as dead men. When the heavenly train was
hidden from their view, they arose and, staggering like drunken men,
hurried to the city, telling those whom they met the wonderful news.
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They were making their way to Pilate, but the priests and rulers sent
for them to be brought first into their presence. Trembling with fear,
their faces colorless, the soldiers told all, just as they had seen it.
They said, It was the Son of God who was crucified; we have heard
an angel proclaiming Him as the Majesty of heaven, the King of
glory.
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