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Message
1
Joseph describes what happened after the remains
of his son were put in the tomb
March 16, 1916
I am here, Joseph.
I desire merely to write a few lines to let you know that I really did
exist as a mortal, and that I am the same man who laid the body of my son Jesus
in the tomb where never before had any body been laid.
I was with him at his death, and I was with his body when it was laid in
the tomb and sealed. I know and testify that no man or men or society of
men, as it has been said, stole his body from the tomb (Matthew 28:13).
His body was entombed as was the custom of my time, and he was wrapped
in cerements (John 19:40) fitted for the long sleep, as we supposed it
to be. Because I feared the Jews as well as the Romans, I sought to
conceal my identity from them by taking the name Joseph of Arimathea to
avoid possible arrest.
I did not believe that my son would rise again in the way that he had
made known to some of his disciples. When we buried him, I thought
the tomb would be his sepulcher until nature had destroyed his body as
it had done in the case of all others who had been entombed.
As you may realize, I was interested in the proceedings taken by the
Jewish leaders in their efforts to prove that my son would not arise
from the tomb on the third day. I kept watch along with the soldiers
(Matthew 27:66), and I can testify that no mortal ever removed the
stones from the mouth of the tomb.
I was there when the angel came and the soldiers were put in the sleep
that the Bible speaks of (Matthew 28:4). However I, Joseph, say this knowing
that it may not be believed and the Bible makes no mention of it, but I
was there and saw the stones rolled away and the shining one standing at
the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 28:2-3). I was frightened and left,
and I was so overcome that I did not return there until the early morning,
when I saw Mary and heard her inquiring as to the whereabouts of her
beloved Master (John 20:2).
More wonderfully, I saw the man of whom she inquired, when he suddenly
reveal himself to her. I can testify also that it was the same Jesus who
I had helped lay his body in the tomb. He was not of flesh and blood, as
they say, for he suddenly appeared, and his appearance was not the same
as that of the Jesus whose body had been entombed.
When he revealed himself to Mary, there was the same countenance and the
same wonderful eyes of love that she was familiar with and the same
voice of love and affection. I know this, and I want to tell the world
that it is true.
Before Peter came, I went into the tomb, and it was empty. When Peter
came, I went with him back into the tomb and saw his astonishment and heard
his words of wonder and amazement (Luke 24:12). Notwithstanding what
Jesus had told him prior to the crucifixion, he did not believe or
comprehend and was astonished and bewildered, as were all of us.
Jesus arose from that tomb and his fleshly body was dematerialized. His
disappearance, I could not explain then as could none who saw him after
he had arisen. I now know that because of his great psychic powers he
caused the disintegration of his beaten body into its elements.
Yes, he arose from the tomb but not from the dead, for he never died, as
you will never die, only the physical vestment that enveloped his soul
died.
I am now in the celestial heavens and am with him a great deal, and I
know that he is the greatest and most wonderful of all the spirits in
the celestial spheres and the nearest to the fountainhead of God’s love,
and that he is truly the best beloved son.
I also want to say that he writes you his messages of truth and was with
you tonight for a short time. Listen to him and know that you have in
him a friend who is closer than a brother, or father, or mother.
My brother, I will stop now and in leaving say that you have my love and
blessings.
Your brother in Christ,
Joseph
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