March 7: THE REFORMATION IS NOT OVER

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24

How are we to make sense of the events recorded for us in the Written Word of God, as they roll over the landscape of history like a series of tidal waves? This is the continuing challenge of a lifetime. Each step in our own life’s journey makes sense only in light of His word (Psalm 119:105). A loving Creator who endowed each of us with a free will simultaneously invites us to examine Him. He has laid bare His actions and motives using human language. It is as if He lays Himself upon the great surgical table of discovery, placing a scalpel in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other.

With the ‘scalpel of discernment,’ it is possible to clearly distinguish between each “Thus sayeth the LORD” and the mixed signals initiated by the archenemy to blur the truth. Jeremiah was keenly aware of the vital need for reformation. Devoted to the LORD and His truth, he pleaded year in and year out with his brethren to get back to the truth of God, which has never changed.

Reformation was still needed in the days of Martin Luther. The spiritual awakening across the world following his protests against the misleading teachings of the established Church was so great that the Church was shaken to its core. Led by the archenemy of souls, the popes and prelates drilled down on teachings that maintained their power over the masses and the royalty of Europe. The firestorm that erupted opened the eyes of millions. Those who were honest agreed upon the necessity of learning based entirely upon the Scriptures — Sola Scriptura! Others, with eyes wide open, adhered to long-held traditions in spite of conflicts with the Word of God.

Another storm is on the horizon that will test every man’s faith. It is essential to be firmly rooted in Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). Your faith and mine must, of necessity, be built upon and wholly substantiated by that Word; otherwise, it will not stand the test (Luke 6:46-49). Fragmentation of Protestant denominations signifies that only a partial exit from Babylonian teachings has occurred.* There are still reforms that must happen if Jesus is to come for a unified bride – a bride fully devoted to Him and His word. The unity and sanctity of the true bride of Christ is essential, as expressed in His prayer:

“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:18-21

*Many Protestant teachers are parroting the Roman church’s mantra which says: “The Reformation is over.” Counteracting the Reformation has been a goal of the Jesuit wing of Catholicism for centuries. It is important to note that the false teachings protested by Martin Luther and the other Reformers have stubbornly been upheld by the false church. Today, many Protestant churches are bowing in submission to the “mother” church, indicating willfulness to elevate man’s tradition above divine revelation. (see Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:8-9,13; Colossians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:18; Revelation 17:5)