The Bible Chronicle

HE IS RISEN: The Empty Tomb Shakes The World

Before the sun could break over the Mount of Olives, the earth shook with a violent tremor. An angel of the Lord descended, rolled away the massive stone from the tomb, and sat upon it. The Roman guards, paralyzed with fear, became like dead men. When Mary Magdalene and the other women arrived bearing spices, they found the tomb empty and received the greatest message in history: "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said."

The grave clothes lie neatly folded inside, but the body of Jesus of Nazareth is gone. Throughout the day, reports of His appearances are spreading—first to Mary in the garden, then to Peter, and to two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. The despair of Friday has been entirely swallowed up by the impossible, glorious victory of Sunday. Death has been defeated!