Giotto di Bondone, 1267-1337 EXPTS FROM "SCENES BEYOND THE GRAVE" 

"Yea, Jesus resteth," answered a voice, and Mercy appeared above the tomb.  "Yea, He resteth, He maketh the tomb His bed.  With His people He slumbereth in the grave.  He sanctified the sepulchre of His saints.  BUT HE SLEEPETH TO AWAKE AGAIN.
 

"HE ALSO SHALL AWAKEN ALL WHO SLEEP IN DEATH"....Then one of the celestial choirs descended and chanted over the tomb where Jesus lay,  "Peace and quiet slumber, holy rest, fold gently in thy gracious arms the body of the Lord...it hath been sanctified through suffering."
 

"Then in a loud acclaim, another company of angels chanted, "It shall rise again.  It shall ascend to the Highest Heaven.  It shall be the attractive centre around which saints shall gather."
 

A soft light gently descended, revealing a solitary tomb, around which were stationed armed guards.  To that tomb was entrusted the body of Jesus.  "Peace and quiet slumber, HOLY REST, fold gently in Thy gracious arms the body of the Lord, which no more endureth pain forever.  Holy angels, guard the sacred tomb."

"Behold and wonder, ye inhabitants of Paradise," said a mighty angel as he descended and stood upon the tomb.  "Yea, behold as the Son of Man cometh from the abode of Desolation.  Lo!  He cometh a conqueror from the Regions of the Dead."

While he yet spake, Jesus, even the Incarnate Spirit, the Spirit of Redemption, appeared walking among the tombs.  The Divine Spirit then approached a lone tomb, even that which angels watched, and in which reposed the body of Jesus:  and with a voice that indicated Supreme Power, said, "Let Life descend upon this inanimate form:  LET THIS BODY ARISE."

THEN LIGHT FROM THE DIVINE SPIRIT  ENCOMPASSED THE BODY, AND A SUDDEN SHAKING SEIZED THE WALLS AND FOUNDATION OF THE TOMB...

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