Cloud of Witnesses Radio

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter! Triumph Over Death and Darkness | Harrowing of Hades | STR006 CWP099

• Cloud of Witnesses cast and crew • Episode 99

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Descend with us into the very depths of hell to witness the most dramatic reversal in cosmic history. This haunting narrative takes you behind enemy lines to experience Easter from an unexpected perspective—the demons who believed they had won.

The ancient Christian tradition of the "Harrowing of Hell" comes vividly alive as we hear the voices of darkness celebrating what they believe is their ultimate triumph. "Let the dark heavens ring with our victory," they gleefully proclaim, preparing chains for the crucified Christ who now descends into their realm like countless mortals before him. Their celebration echoes through the "black vaults of Tartarus" as they rejoice that "the so-called light of the world has been extinguished."

But something unprecedented occurs—light begins penetrating the darkness. Confusion gives way to terror as the demons witness a figure "cloaked not in shadow, but in fire" whose "face is as the sun before time." The narrative reaches its climactic revelation as the underworld realizes its catastrophic mistake: "The cross was his weapon. His tomb was a trap for us." What appeared to be Christ's defeat was actually the instrument of his victory and death's undoing. As the ancient Easter proclamation declares: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death."

This powerful retelling invites you to see the Easter story through fresh eyes and contemplate its profound meaning—how light conquers darkness, how apparent defeat transforms into ultimate victory, and how death itself became the doorway to eternal life. Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that even the darkest moments can become gateways to unexpected triumph.


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Speaker 1:

We have him now. Yes, he comes. Let the dark heavens ring with our victory, let Hades rejoice and the black vaults of Tartarus echo with our laughter. The so-called light of the world has been extinguished, drenched in mortal blood, nailed upon the tree conquered by death. Death, our most ancient and faithful servant. Let the gates be fortified and the chains be readied, for the crucified now comes, like all the dead before him, a frail soul, broken and fleshless, descending into our dominion. Yes, let us receive him, not with pity, but with chains. We shall seize him as we seized all Patriarchs, prophets, kings and fools. Another trophy, another skull for the throne of the grave. The archangels above wail, the apostles scatter, the temple curtain is torn and no one remains to guard the bridge. We have done it. We have at last silenced the Logos. We have devoured the life of all.

Speaker 1:

Yes, now the end of the universe begins. Hail death, hail despair, hail the final darkness. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, oh, ho, ho, wait. Hail, despair, hail the final darkness. Wait, uncle, uncle, screwtape, what is it now? Wormwood? Can't you see we are busy jubilating over this wondrous occasion? No, uncle, something is wrong. What? What is it now? No, uncle, something is wrong. What? What is it now? What? It no, Wait, something is terribly wrong. What? What is that light? It burns us to see, it is blinding.

Speaker 1:

A figure comes, cloaked, not in shadow, but in fire. His face is as the sun before time, before all the ages of creation. The darkness bends to him but does not consume him. Ah, the chains unravel at his presence. Ah, impossible, the dead do not shine. The dead do not even command. He does not descend. He marches with the strength of a thousand armies and the righteous rise in his wake. Who is this king of glory? Who is this king of glory? No, no. Who is this king of glory? What is that light, that accursed light, that unquenchable radiance of celestial eternity? No, radiance of celestial eternity. No, ah, ah. We never should have touched him, we never should have crowned him with death, for we have enthroned him in our dominion. The cross was his weapon. His tomb was a trap for us. It is he, the firstborn from the dead, the light of light, the son of the living God, christ, who is arisen from the dead. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death in the tombs, bestowing life.