The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 97

The European Union in Prophecy
church and in the schools, would gladly unite with him in efforts for reform. Words of
encouragement from those in high position had inspired him with joy and hope.
Already in anticipation he had seen a brighter day dawning for the church. But
encouragement had changed to reproach and condemnation. Many dignitaries, of both
church and state, were convicted of the truthfulness of his theses; but they soon saw
that the acceptance of these truths would involve great changes. To enlighten and
reform the people would be virtually to undermine the authority of Rome, to stop
thousands of streams now flowing into her treasury, and thus greatly to curtail the
extravagance and luxury of the papal leaders.
Furthermore, to teach the people to think and act as responsible beings, looking
to Christ alone for salvation, would overthrow the pontiff's throne and eventually
destroy their own authority. For this reason they refused the knowledge tendered
them of God and arrayed themselves against Christ and the truth by their opposition
to the man whom He had sent to enlighten them. Luther trembled as he looked upon
himself--one man opposed to the mightiest powers of earth. He sometimes doubted
whether he had indeed been led of God to set himself against the authority of the
church. "Who was I," he writes, "to oppose the majesty of the pope, before whom ... the
kings of the earth and the whole world trembled? ... No one can know what my heart
suffered during these first two years, and into what despondency, I may say into what
despair, I was sunk."-- Ibid., b. 3, ch. 6. But he was not left to become utterly
disheartened. When human support failed, he looked to God alone and learned that
he could lean in perfect safety upon that all-powerful arm.
To a friend of the Reformation Luther wrote: "We cannot attain to the
understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to
begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true
understanding of His word. There is no other interpreter of the word of God than the
Author of this word, as He Himself has said, 'They shall be all taught of God.' Hope
for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God,
and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has had
experience."-- Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7. Here is a lesson of vital importance to those who feel
that God has called them to present to others the solemn truths for this time. These
truths will stir the enmity of Satan and of men who love the fables that he has devised.
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