Are we not all as the centurion, the thief, Simon the Cyrenian, the people who mocked Him, those who doubted Him, the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross, the scribes and the chief priests, Pilate, the one who betrayed Him, those who abandoned Him, and those who beat Him and scourged Him? In our better moments we have been kind and honest and at our worst hateful and liars. We were not there that day but we are here now looking upon this scene separated by time and distance, and in this world. It is ours to step beyond the mystery that we live in today with eyes that see and ears that hear.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;
and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection,
and went into the holy city,
and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus,
saw the earthquake, and those things that were done,
they feared greatly, saying,
Truly this was the Son of God.
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Matthew 27:50-56 KJV
Jesus gave up the Ghost and after His body resurged after the moment of His death, the graves were opened by an earthquake. The rocks were torn into pieces and the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the people in the Temple was torn into two. The physically pure and morally righteous dead from the opened graves walked around in Jerusalem.
The veil that was torn in two was the way into the Heaven where the Father is, where life is, and where Jesus now is. When Jesus began His ministry upon the earth John the Baptist said that the Kingdom of Heaven was in their midst and Jesus said it after John the Baptist was beheaded. This is a very different place than the land of the dead that the Old Testament refers to as sheol. Jesus told the thief that he would be with Him in Paradise that very day. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Him. The earthquake, the opening of the graves, the righteous dead being released from their graves, and the veil in the Temple being torn in two were visible manifestations of the reality of the mystery being revealed. The One Who overcomes Death had been crucified and had died. The fact that we are saved from Death by Him was to be revealed fully over the next 50 days with Jesus being resurrected bodily, appearing to people, and ascending into Heaven in the presence of witnesses.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:44-49
Salvation was fully demonstrated in the Person Jesus Christ. His words, actions, and presence were witnessed by thousands of people. None of this was lost on the dark world system and the dark side of the invisible realm. People now had a clear choice who knew of this. Satan did not score a victory. The Holy Spirit was sent to the disciples and to those who believed to dwell in us. Satan sent a spirit of anti-Christ to offer something similar complete with philosophy, theology, and doctrine. The offer of the kingdoms of the world under the influence of Satan is made to us as well. The Salvation of Jesus offers transcendence into Heaven and eternal life.
to be continued