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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 earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up。〃 But 〃the Lord will be the hope of His people； and the strength of the children of Israel。〃 Heb。 12：26； Isa。 24：20； 34：4； 2 Peter 3：10； Joel 3：16。
At the death of Jesus the soldiers had beheld the earth wrapped in darkness at midday； but at the resurrection they saw the brightness of the angels illuminate the night； and heard the inhabitants of heaven singing with great joy and triumph： Thou hast vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness； Thou hast swallowed up death in victory！
Christ came forth from the tomb glorified； and the Roman guard beheld Him。 Their eyes were riveted upon the face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and derided。 In this glorified Being they beheld the prisoner whom they had seen in the judgment hall； the one for whom they had plaited a crown of thorns。 This was the One who had stood unresisting before Pilate and Herod； His form lacerated by the cruel scourge。 This was He who had been nailed to the cross； at whom the priests and rulers； full of self…satisfaction； had wagged their heads； saying； 〃He saved others； Himself He cannot save。〃 Matt。 27：42。 This was He who had been laid in Joseph's new tomb。 The decree of heaven had
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loosed the captive。 Mountains piled upon mountains over His sepulcher could not have prevented Him from coming forth。
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 to their feet； and as quickly as their trembling limbs could carry them； made their way to the gate of the garden。 Staggering like drunken men； they hurried on to the city； telling those whom they met the wonderful news。 They were making their way to Pilate； but their report had been carried to the Jewish authorities； and the chief priests and rulers sent for them to be brought first into their presence。 A strange appearance those soldiers presented。 Trembling with fear； their faces colorless； they bore testimony to the resurrection of Christ。 The soldiers told all； just as they had seen it； they had not had time to think or speak anything but the truth。 With painful utterance 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。
The faces of the priests were as those of the dead。 Caiaphas tried to speak。 His lips moved； but they uttered no sound。 The soldiers were about to leave the council room； when a voice stayed them。 Caiaphas had at last found speech。 Wait； wait； he said。 Tell no one the things you have seen。
A lying report was then given to the soldiers。 〃Say ye；〃 said the priests； 〃His disciples came by night； and stole Him away while we
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slept。〃 Here the priests overreached themselves。 How could the soldiers say that the disciples had stolen the body while they slept？ If they were asleep； how could they know？ And if the disciples had been proved guilty of stealing Christ's body； would not the priests have been first to condemn them？ Or if the sentinels had slept at the tomb； would not the priests have been foremost in accusing them to Pilate？
The soldiers were horrified at the thought of bringing upon themselves the charge of sleeping at their post。 This was an offense punishable with death。 Should they bear false witness； deceiving the people； and placing their own lives in peril？ Had they not kept their weary watch with sleepless vigilance？ How could they stand the trial； even for the sake of money； if they perjured themselves？
In order to silence the testimony they feared； the priests promised to secure the safety of the guard； saying that Pilate would not desire to have such a report circulated any more than they did。 The Roman soldiers sold their integrity to the Jews for money。 They came in before the priests burdened with a most startling message of truth； they went out with a burden of money； and on their tongues a lying report which had been framed for them by the priests。
Meanwhile the report of Christ's resurrection had been carried to Pilate。 Though Pilate was responsible for having given Christ up to die； he had been comparatively unconcerned。 While he had condemned the Saviour unwillingly； and with a feeling of pity； he had felt no real compunction until now。 In terror he now shut himself within his house； determined to see no one。 But the priests made their way into his presence； told the story which they had invented； and urged him to overlook the sentinels' neglect of duty。 Before consenting to this； he himself privately questioned the guard。 They； fearing for their own safety； dared not conceal anything； and Pilate drew from them an account of all that had taken place。 He did not prosecute the matter further； but from that time there was no peace for him。
When Jesus was laid in the grave； Satan triumphed。 He dared to hope that the Saviour would not take up His life again。 He claimed the Lord's body； and set his guard