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This is the only 'eyewitness' account I found, other than those Marian apparitions which only the 'seer's can function as witness. Zeitun is an exception in this regard, yes?
CHAPTER XLVI. The Earthquake. Apparitions of the Dead in Jerusalem.
I saw the soul of Jesus, at the moment He expired, appear under form of a bright orb, accompanied by angels, I distinguished angel Gabriel penetrate earth at foot of the Cross. I saw these angels cast a number of evil spirits into the great abyss, I heard Jesus order several souls in Limbo to re-enter the body they once dwelt in, the sight might fill sinners with a salutary terror, that these souls might render a solemn testimony to His divinity.
The earthquake produced a deep chasm at Calvary did much damage in different parts of Palestine, its effects were more fatal in Jerusalem. Its inhabitants just begin to be a little reassured by return of light, their terror was reawakened with double force by shock of the earthquake, the terrible noise and confusion caused by downfall of houses and walls on all sides, panic farther increased by sudden appearance of dead persons, confronting the trembling miscreants trying to hide themselves, address them in most severe reproachful language.
High Priests recommence sacrifice of Paschal lamb (which stop by the unexpected darkness), triumphing at the return of light, when suddenly the ground beneath them trembled, neighboring buildings fell down, veil of the Temple rent in two from top to bottom. Excess of terror at first rendered those on the outside speechless, but after a time burst forth into cries and lamentations. Confusion in interior of Temple was not as great as would naturally have been expected, the strictest order and decorum always enforced there, particularly with regard to the regulation to be followed by those who enter to make their sacrifice, those who left after having offered it. The crowd was great, but ceremonies solemnly carried out by priests, totally engross the minds of assistants. First came the immolation of a lamb, sprinkling of its blood, accompanied by chanting of canticles sounding of trumpets. Priests try to continue the sacrifices, when suddenly an unexpected appalling pause ensued; terror and astonishment depicted on each countenance; all was thrown into confusion; not a sound heard; sacrifices cease; there was a general rush to gates of the Temple; everyone tried to fly quickly as possible. And well might they fly, well might they fear and tremble; in the midst of the multitude there suddenly appeared persons dead and buried for many years! These persons look at them sternly, reprove them most severely for the crime they committed that day, in bringing about death of 'the just man,' calling down His blood upon their heads. Even in midst of this confusion, some attempts made by priests to preserve order; they prevent those in the inner part of Temple from rushing forward, push their way thru the crowd in advance of them, descend steps which led out of Temple: they continue sacrifices in some parts, try to calm fears of the people.
The appearance of the Temple at this moment be described by comparing it to an ant-hill persons have thrown stones, o disturbed by a stick being driven into its centre. The ants in those parts the stones have fallen, the stick disturb, are filled with confusion and terror; they run to and fro and do nothing; while ants in those parts not disturbed continue to labor quietly, and begin to repair the damaged parts.
High Priest Caiphas and retinue did not lose their presence of mind, by outward tranquillity their diabolic hardness of heart enable them to preserve, they calmed the confusion in a great degree, did their utmost to prevent folk from looking upon these stupendous events as testimonies of the innocence of Jesus. The Roman garrison belonging to fortress of Antonia made great efforts to maintain order; the disturbance of the festival was not followed by an insurrection, although every heart was fixed with fear and anxiety, the Pharisees tried (and in some instances with success) to calm.
I remember a few other striking incidents: in the first place, 2 columns placed at entrance of Holy of Holies, to which a magnificent curtain was appended, shaken to the very foundations; column on left side fell down in a southerly, that on right side in a northerly direction, rend the veil in two from top to bottom with a fearful sound, expose Holy of Holies uncovered to public gaze. A large stone loosened and fell from the wall at the entrance of sanctuary, near where aged Simeon used to kneel, the arch was broken. The ground heaved up, many other columns thrown down in other parts of the Temple.
An apparition of High Priest Zacharias, slain between porch and altar, seen in the sanctuary. He uttered fearful menaces, spoke of death of second Zacharias, of St. John Baptist, of violent deaths of other prophets.12 The 2 sons of High Priest Simon, surnamed the Just (ancestors of aged Simeon who prophesied when Jesus was presented in Temple), made their appearance in the part usually occupied by doctors of the law; they spoke in terrific terms of deaths of prophets, of sacrifice of the old law now about to cease, they exhort all present to be converted, to embrace the doctrine preached by Him whom they crucified. Prophet Jeremiah appeared; he stood near the altar, proclaimed, in a menacing tone, the ancient sacrifice was at an end, a new one had commenced. As these apparitions took place in parts where none but priests were allowed to enter, Caiphas, a few others were alone cognisant of them, try to deny their reality, or conceal them. These prodigies were followed by others still more extraordinary. Doors of sanctuary flew open of themselves, a voice heard to utter these words: 'Let us leave this place;' I saw all the angels of the Lord instantly leave the Temple. 32 Pharisees who went to Calvary a short time before Our Lord expired were almost all converted at foot of the Cross, return to Temple in midst of the confusion, thunderstruck at all which took place there. They spoke most sternly, to Annas and Caiphas, and left the Temple. Annas always been most bitter of enemies of Jesus, headed every proceeding against Him; but supernatural events which took place completely unnerved him, he knew not where to hide himself. Caiphas was, in realty excessively alarmed, filled with anxiety, his pride was so great he concealed his feelings as far as possible, try to reassure Annas. He succeeded for a time; but sudden appearance of a person dead many years marred the effect of his words, Annas became a prey to the most fearful terror and remorse.
Whilst these things go on in Temple, confusion and panic were not less in Jerusalem. Dead persons walk about, many walls and buildings be shaken by the earthquake, parts of them fell down. Superstition of Pilate rendered him even more accessible to fear; he was perfectly paralysed and speechless with terror; his palace shaken to the very foundation, the earth quaked beneath his feet. He ran wildly from room to room, the dead constantly stood before him, reproach him with the unjust sentence he passed upon Jesus. He thought they were gods of the Galilean, took refuge in an inner room, where he offered incense, made vows to his idols to invoke their assistance in his distress. Herod was usually alarmed; he shut himself up in his palace, out of sight of everyone.
More than 100 persons who died at different epochs re-enter bodies they occupied when on earth, made their
appearance in different parts of Jerusalem, fill folk with inexpressible consternation. Those souls released by Jesus from Limbo uncover their face, wander to and fro in the streets, although their bodies were the same as those they animated when on earth, these bodies did not appear to touch ground as they walked. They enter houses of their descendants, proclaim innocence of Jesus, reprove those who took part in His death most severely. I saw them pass thru principal streets; generally in couples, appear to me to glide thru the air without moving their feet. Countenances of some were pale; others of a yellow tint; their beards long, their voice sound strange and sepulchral. Their grave-clothes were such as it was customary to use at the period of their decease. When they reached the place where sentence of death was proclaimed on Jesus before the procession started for Calvary, they pause for a moment, exclaim in a loud voice: 'Glory be to Jesus for ever and ever, destruction to his enemies!' Toward 4 o'clock all the dead returned to their grave. Sacrifices in Temple be so interrupted, confusion caused by different prodigies so great, very few persons ate Paschal lamb on that evening.
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..." I may not always be right... BUT, I am never wrong..." sez the Queen of Hearts
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