THE FIRST FRUITS OF REDEMPTION

When Jesus on the cross cried out, "It is finished!" rocks broke into pieces, the earth shook, and some graves opened. When Jesus arose, victorious over death, the earth shook again. The glory of heaven shone around the sacred spot. Many righteous dead whose graves opened when Jesus died, obeyed His call to arise from their graves. These people were to be witnesses that Jesus was alive. They came forth from their graves to everlasting, glorified lives. Those who came to life when Jesus arose were chosen from people who had lived holy lives. These people had lived at various times, from the time of creation to the time of Christ.SRme 1.1030

The Jewish leaders were trying to hide the truth that Jesus had been raised to life. But God brought some of His faithful servants from the grave to report that Jesus had been resurrected. They were to tell about Jesus' glory.SRme 1.1031

The people who were resurrected were not the same in size and form. Some people looked more noble than others. I [Ellen White] was told that people had been losing their strength and beauty. Satan has power over disease and death. With each age the results of the curse and of Satan's power are more clearly seen. The resurrected people who lived in the days of Noah and Abraham appeared more like angels in form and strength. But with the passing of time, people have been growing weaker and getting sick easier. Their lives have been shortened. Satan has been learning how to cause trouble and weaken people.SRme 1.1032

The people who had been resurrected showed themselves to many people. The resurrected people reported that the sacrifice for man was completed. The resurrected people told those they met that Jesus, who had been crucified, had risen from the dead. To prove what they said was true, they said, "We were raised from the dead with Jesus." The resurrected people reported that they rose from the dead by God's power. The lying stories of the soldiers and Jewish leaders had not worked. Satan, his angels, and the chief priests could not hide the fact that Jesus had risen. This holy, resurrected group of people spread the wonderful, joyful news that Jesus was alive. Jesus also showed Himself to His sorrowing, heartbroken disciples. The disciples' fears left, and they were filled with joy and gladness.SRme 1.1033