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e priests and rulers were called upon to explain the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah； and while trying to frame some falsehood in reply； they became like men insane。 The prophecies that pointed to Christ's sufferings and death they could not explain； and many inquirers were convinced that the Scriptures had been fulfilled。
The revenge which the priests had thought would be so sweet was already bitterness to them。 They knew that they were meeting the severe censure of the people； they knew that the very ones whom they had influenced against Jesus were now horrified by their own shameful work。 These priests had tried to believe Jesus a deceiver； but it was in vain。 Some of them had stood by the grave of Lazarus； and had seen the dead brought back to life。 They trembled for fear that Christ would Himself rise from the dead； and again appear before them。 They had heard Him declare that He had power to lay down His life and to take it again。 They remembered that He had said； 〃Destroy this temple； and in three days I will raise it up。〃 John 2：19。 Judas had told them the words spoken by Jesus to the disciples while on the last journey to Jerusalem： 〃Behold； we go up to Jerusalem； and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes； and they shall condemn Him to death； and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock； and to scourge； and to crucify Him： and the third day He shall rise again。〃 Matt。 20：18； 19。 When they heard these words； they had mocked and ridiculed。 But now they remembered that Christ's predictions had so far been fulfilled。 He had said that He would rise again the third day； and who could say that this also would not come to pass？ They longed to shut out these thoughts； but they could not。 Like their father； the devil； they believed and trembled。
Now that the frenzy of excitement was past； the image of Christ would intrude upon their minds。 They beheld Him as He stood serene and uncomplaining before His enemies； suffering without a murmur their taunts and abuse。 All the events of His trial and crucifixion came back to them with an overpowering conviction that He was the Son of God。 They felt that He might at any time stand before them； the accused to become the accuser； the condemned to condemn； the slain to demand justice in the death of His murderers。
They could rest little upon the Sabbath。 Though they would not step
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over a Gentile's threshold for fear of defilement； yet they held a council concerning the body of Christ。 Death and the grave must hold Him whom they had crucified。 〃The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate； saying； Sir； we remember that that deceiver said； while He was yet alive； After three days I will rise again。 Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day； lest His disciples come by night； and steal Him away； and say unto the people； He is risen from the dead： so the last error shall be worse than the first。 Pilate said unto them； Ye have a watch： go your way； make it as sure as ye can。〃 Matt。 27：62…65。
The priests gave directions for securing the sepulcher。 A great stone had been placed before the opening。 Across this stone they placed cords； securing the ends to the solid rock； and sealing them with the Roman seal。 The stone could not be moved without breaking the seal。 A guard of one hundred soldiers was then stationed around the sepulcher to prevent it from being tampered with。 The priests did all they could to keep Christ's body where it had been laid。 He was sealed as securely in His tomb as if He were to remain there through all time。
So weak men counseled and planned。 Little did these murderers realize the uselessness of their efforts。 But by their action God was glorified。 The very efforts made to prevent Christ's resurrection are the most convincing arguments in its proof。 The greater the number of soldiers placed around the tomb； the stronger would be the testimony that He had risen。 Hundreds of years before the death of Christ； the Holy Spirit had declared through the psalmist； 〃Why do the heathen rage； and the people imagine a vain thing？ The kings of the earth set themselves； and the rulers take counsel together； against the Lord； and against His anointed。 。 。 。 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh： the Lord shall have them in derision。〃 Ps。 2：1…4。 Roman guards and Roman arms were powerless to confine the Lord of life within the tomb。 The hour of His release was near。
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Chapter 81
〃The Lord Is Risen〃
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 captives taken without sword or spear。 The face they look upon is not the face
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of mortal warrior； it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord's host。 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。
An earthquake marked the hour when Christ laid down His life； and another earthquake witnessed the moment when He took it up in triumph。 He who had vanquished death and the grave came forth from the tomb with the tread of a conqueror； amid the reeling of the earth； the flashing of lightning； and the roaring of thunder。 When He shall come to the earth again； He will shake 〃not the earth only； but also heaven。〃 〃The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard； and shall be removed like a cottage。〃 〃The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll；〃 〃the elements shall melt with fervent heat； the ea