October 23, 2021

So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  Isaiah 51:11 (also Isaiah 35:10)

Martin’s journey in this life, which began so humbly in Eisleben, Germany, was filled to the brim with challenges. His sincere desire to know God and gain a true understanding of salvation was rewarded with light from heaven that Martin gratefully received, and then directed his every energy toward sharing with others. It was ten years after the famous October 31, 1517 nailing of the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg that he penned the magnificent hymn: A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD!

 In spite of so many among both leadership and laity in the Roman church who wanted to kill him, God’s sovereign protection remained throughout Martin’s natural life. He died at the age of 62 in 1546. Deep awe and heartfelt acknowledgement of the inexhaustible mine of riches that is the Word of God, motivated him to admonish his listeners to stay in the Word and continue learning of the character of our infinitely loving God. Some, however, felt that all there was to know of the light of the Word had been revealed through Luther. They drove a stake in the ground, raised a banner to honor Martin Luther, and said, “We are Lutherans.” This pattern has been repeated in the wake of subsequent Reformers and is the cause of separate denominations among Protestants.

 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

 While the foremost foundation of all the Protestant denominations is stated to be “Sola Scriptura” (the Bible alone) the work of our crafty foe has been to fragment those who have attempted to exit the Roman church. Today, many modern Protestant churches are clasping hands with Catholicism and drifting back to the “mother church.” Isaiah penned a prophetic message to the “mother church” from the LORD: 

Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, who dwell securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children.’ But these two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood… Isaiah 47:8-9a  

In Revelation, the apostle John is also shown her fate. It is a self-inflicted fate which results from the lack of repentance. It is speaking of the counterfeit church as a system, and in no way pronounces any loss of freedom for an individual to come out of that false system of worship. No! This pronouncement is an impetus to come home; to return to the one, true God. 

In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. Revelation 18:7-8a