Reformation Day (1883)

Revelation 14:6-12 The memory of the Reformation and Luther's name perhaps has never been celebrated so universally and under such great participation within so-called Protestant Christianity as in this year. On October 31st of this year it is not only 366 years that Luther nailed the memorable 95 Theses at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, but the 400th anniversary of the birth of the reformer falls in this year. As a result, almost all of the so-called Protestant Christianity is presently set in more than ordinary enthusiasm for the person of Luther. But this enthusiasm is not everywhere the right kind of enthusiasm. One indeed does not know the good things that God has given Christianity especially through Luther's ministry. That is why one remains with the knowledge and because of that also adheres with the commemoration of the earthly goods and blessings that have come over the world through Luther and the Reformation. But Luther's teaching, through which he became the reformer of the Church and a blessing for the Church, one partly does not know, one partly has consciously fallen away from as outdated and outmoded. But above all things we want to remain with Luther's teaching and also steadfastly confess it. We certainly have enough reason to do so. Why do we want steadfastly to confess by God's grace the proclaimed teaching of Luther even in our time? The proclaimed teaching of Luther is 1. the eternal Gospel.1 The Gospel that Luther proclaimed had been buried, in those days, under doctrines of men for almost a millennium, but was not a new Gospel, but the Gospel of Christ and the apostles, as it is recorded in Holy Scripture. But as it was, in those days, not a new Gospel, then it has become now not old and will never be old. It is an eternal, i.e., always applicable Gospel not subjugated to changing times. How could it be otherwise? People are now sinners as before. So they also need, if they should otherwise be saved, what is revealed in Scripture, the pure Gospel about the grace of God in Christ proclaimed by Luther; 2. the specific gospel for all men.2 The pure Gospel is his purpose to a general one, as the grace of God is a general one. God made a quick course and a long path for it at the time of the Reformation. The Papacy and sects are against God's gracious will. It is not, as one has supposed in recent times, that, for example, Lutheranism is the best fit for Germans, the Papacy for Italians and others, Sectarianism for Americans. Luther's teaching, i.e., the pure Gospel of Holy Scripture, is suitable for all men, yes, all men need it, God will proclaim it to all men. We who are entrusted by God's grace with the clear, eternal gospel should therefore publicly and particularly confess it and, as Luther, "with great voice", i.e., boldly and clearly confess it;
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Revelation 14:6a. Revelation 14:6b: "Every nation and tribe and tongue and people."

3. the saving Gospel from the pernicious error of Antichrist.3 a. In what the error of the Antichrist consists. By the same thing will take God's honor and introduce a pure idolatry. Not God in his Word, but the Pope with its commandments and regulations shall govern in the hearts and consciences of Christians.4 Salvation should not be a free gift of the grace of God in Christ, but be given for the work of men and reputed merit of men. b. This anti-Christian error is a very seductive one. Babylon, i.e., Rome "made all nations drink the wine of her fornication."5 c. This error is an infallible collapsing into eternal perdition. See the marrow and bone penetrating description and exhortation of verses 9-11. On the other hand, God has now again allowed to proclaim "Fear God" etc., only God's Word should rule in the Church and one only should maintain salvation by God's grace in Christ.6 Thus the Antichrist is revealed and his kingdom has fallen in all who have loved the truth.7 But constant vigilance is needed by everyone, lest he is still stained with the mark of the beast and eventually will partake of its plagues. "Here is the patience of the saints" etc.,8 i.e., here it requires ongoing attention and Christian struggle, in order not to be seduced into error. (Even in this country those who call themselves Lutherans have let themselves be seduced in recent years by the devil's deception into anti-Christian error.) Franz Pieper

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Revelation 12:7-12. 2 Thessalonians 2:4. 5 Revelation 14:8, 13:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. 6 Revelation 14:7. 7 Revelation 14:8. 8 Revelation 14:12.