The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 127

The European Union in Prophecy
While his enemies flattered themselves that he was silenced, they were
astonished and confused by tangible proof that he was still active. A host of tracts,
issuing from his pen, circulated throughout Germany. He also performed a most
important service for his countrymen by translating the New Testament into the
German tongue. From his rocky Patmos he continued for nearly a whole year to
proclaim the gospel and rebuke the sins and errors of the times. But it was not merely
to preserve Luther from the wrath of his enemies, nor even to afford him a season of
quiet for these important labors, that God had withdrawn His servant from the stage
of public life. There were results more precious than these to be secured. In the
solitude and obscurity of his mountain retreat, Luther was removed from earthly
supports and shut out from human praise.
He was thus saved from the pride and self-confidence that are so often caused
by success. By suffering and humiliation he was prepared again to walk safely upon
the dizzy heights to which he had been so suddenly exalted. As men rejoice in the
freedom which the truth brings them, they are inclined to extol those whom God has
employed to break the chains of error and superstition. Satan seeks to divert men's
thoughts and affections from God, and to fix them upon human agencies; he leads
them to honour the mere instrument and to ignore the Hand that directs all the events
of providence. Too often religious leaders who are thus praised and reverenced lose
sight of their dependence upon God and are led to trust in themselves. As a result
they seek to control the minds and consciences of the people, who are disposed to look
to them for guidance instead of looking to the word of God. The work of reform is often
retarded because of this spirit indulged by its supporters. From this danger, God
would guard the cause of the Reformation. He desired that work to receive, not the
impress of man, but that of God. The eyes of men had been turned to Luther as the
expounder of the truth; he was removed that all eyes might be directed to the eternal
Author of truth.
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