When He should come forth from the tomb, their sorrow would be turned to joy. After His ascension He was to be absent in person; but through the Comforter He would still be with them, and they were not to spend their time in mourning. This was what Satan wanted. He desired them to give the world the impression that they had been deceived and disappointed; but by faith they were to look to the sanctuary above, where Jesus was ministering for them; they were to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, His representative, and to rejoice in the light of His presence. Yet days of temptation and trial would come, when they would be brought into conflict with the rulers of this world, and the leaders of the kingdom of darkness; when Christ was not personally 278 with them, and they failed to discern the Comforter, then it would be more fitting for them to fast.

Når han stod op fra graven, skulle deres sorg vendes til glæde. Efter sin optagelse til Himmelen ville han i personlig skikkelse være borte fra dem, men gennem Talsmanden ville han stadig være dem nær, og de skulle ikke bruge tiden til at sørge. Det var dette, som var Satans ønske. Han ville, at de skulle give verden indtryk af, at de var blevet narrede og skuffede; men de skulle i tro se frem til den himmelske helligdom, som Jesus beredte til dem; de skulle åbne deres sind for Helligånden, hans stedfortræder, og fryde sig i lyset af hans tilstedeværelse. Dog ville der komme dage med fristelser og prøvelser, hvor de ville komme i strid med denne verdens herskere og lederne af mørkets rige. Når Kristus ikke mere personlig var sammen med dem og de ikke var i stand til at skimte Talsmanden, så ville det sømme sig bedre for dem at faste.