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The Truth About Angels
Before the Court of Annas and Caiaphas
Christ was to be tried formally before the Sanhedrin; but before
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Annas He was subjected to a preliminary trial....
When the council had assembled in the judgment hall, Caiaphas
took his seat as presiding officer.... As Caiaphas ... looked upon the
prisoner, he was struck with admiration for His noble and dignified
bearing. A conviction came over him that this Man was akin to God.
The next instant he scornfully banished the thought.—
The Desire of
Ages, 698, 703, 704
.
All heaven saw the cruel work done to Christ. In the dreadful
scenes transacted in the judgment hall, God showed to the heavenly
universe the spirit that would be manifested by those that are unwilling
to yield obedience to His law.—
Manuscript Releases 12:412
.
It was difficult for the angels to endure the sight. They would
have delivered Jesus out ot [the] hands [of His inquisitors]; but the
commanding angels forbade them.... Jesus knew that angels were
witnessing the scene of His humiliation.
There stood Jesus, meek and humble before the infuriated mul-
titude, while they offered Him the meanest abuse. They spit in His
face—that face which they will one day desire to be hid from, which
will give light to the city of God, and shine brighter than the sun—but
not an angry look did He cast upon the offenders. He meekly raised
His hand, and wiped it off. They covered His head with an old gar-
ment; blindfolded Him, and then struck Him in the face, and cried out,
Prophesy unto us who it was that smote thee. There was commotion
among the angels. They would have rescued Him instantly; but their
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commanding angel restrained them.—
Spiritual Gifts 1:50, 51
.
Before Pilate
Men were imbued with a satanic spirit at the time when they de-
cided that they would have Barabbas, a thief and murderer, in prefer-
ence to the Son of God. The demoniac power triumphed over human-
ity; legions of evil angels took entire control of men, and in answer
to Pilate’s question as to whom he should release unto them, they
shrieked out, “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.”
When Pilate spoke again to them concerning Jesus, the hoarse cry