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Life
and Times of Saint Martin Luther |
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October
31st is the 491th anniversary (1517 to 2008) of the greatest event
since the founding of Christianity.
The flying inkwell
In
1521, disguised as a knight, Saint Martin began working on his incomparable
translation of the New Testament from Greek into German. The devil
was furious and full of hellish rage. This is where the famous incident
of throwing ink at the devil took place.
Dreadful noises in his chamber at night would awaken him from sleep.
Howling as of a dog could be heard at his door, and on one occasion
as he sat translating the New Testament, an apparition of the Evil
One, in the form of a lion, seemed to be walking round and round him,
and preparing to spring upon him. Seizing the weapon that came first
to his hand, which happened to be his inkstand, Luther hurled it at
the devil with such force, that he put the fiend to flight, and broke
the plaster on the wall.
Saint
Martin's study about 1850. On the right can be seen the ink
stain and the broken plaster on the wall.
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Recent photo of Saint Martin's study. Much
of the plaster has been removed by souvenir hunters.
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The
4 greatest events of the past 1000 years were:
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The
Reformation of Saint Martin Luther in 1517 |
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Click to
enlarge
Saint
Martin Luther (Nov. 10, 1483- Feb. 18, 1546). |
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Gutenberg
printing Press. God's gift to Saint Martin to enable him to
throw lots of ink at the devil!! |
Just
30 years before the birth of Luther, Johann Gutenberg
invented printing from movable type—the greatest discovery in
the history of the world. It enabled Saint Martin to throw a lot of
ink at the devil!!
St.
Martin defied the devil at Worms!!
In
April 1521, St. Martin journeyed to Worms to appear before Emperor
Charles V. His good friend Georg Spalatin warned him not to go there
because the emperor would have him arrested and burned alive. St.
Martin gave him his fearless reply and said:
"If
there were as many devils in Worms are there are tiles on the rooftops,
I would still go thither!!"
Babylonian
Captivity caused an uproar among the Spaniards at Worms!!
The
Babylonian Captivity of the Congregation by Saint Martin
caused no small stir among the Spanish soldiers of emperor Charles:
"In
the course of that day there was an uproar in Worms. Spaniards quarrelled
with the citizens. Copies of Luther's book on the Babylonish captivity
were found torn to pieces, whereupon the people who sympathized
with the Reformation avenged this insult and attacked the offenders"
(Homes
and Haunts of Luther, p. 114).
The
Reason for the Blessed Reformation!!
Around
60 A.D., the Apostle Paul gave one of the greatest prophecies in the
entire Bible. He predicted a great falling away or apostasy from Christianity
before the end of the world. This was not to be a falling away into
atheism or agnosticism but a corruption of the true Gospel
by the Man of Sin sitting in the Temple of God. This wolf in sheep's
clothing; a Lamb with the mouth of a Dragon; would sit in the Temple
of God and call himself God. In
the New Testament, the Temple of God always refers to Christ's true
Congregation. St. Paul said:
"Now
we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit,
nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ
is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away FIRST,
and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,
or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of
God, shewing himself that he is God.
Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these
things?
And now ye know what withholdeth
(restrains) that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth
(restrains) will let (restrain), until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness
of his coming:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved.
And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"(II
Thess. chapter 2).
No
one can deny the fulfillment of this great prophecy of the Bible.
The Papacy has been around since the time of Pope
Constantine and is STRONG DELUSION indeed!!
The
Word of God and the believers in Christ were hindering the manifestation
of the Man of Sin!!
According
to the Apostle Paul, the believers KNEW perfectly well what was
withholding or restraining the manifestation of the Man of Sin.
It was no mystery to them. Jesus had already told them that they
were the LIGHT of the world and the SALT of the earth (Matt. ch.
5).
By the time
of Saint Martin Luther, the Bible was a RARE book. The only "bible"
available was the corrupt Latin Vulgate version which substituted
corrupt words like priest instead of elder; charity instead of love,
church instead of congregation, idols instead of images, and "do
penance" instead of repent, etc. etc.
By the time
of the Reformation, true Christianity was almost extinct after the
long dark night of the Dark Ages. The Congregations founded by St.
Patrick and St. Columba were virtually non existent along with the
Waldensians; Albigensians; Wycliffites, Hussites and Nestorians
etc. etc.
Age long Inquisitions
had virtually destroyed the Temple of God and the Papacy had her
foot firmly planted on the Old World . . . and was about to corrupt
the entire New World . . . when the Son of God rescued His Congregation
by raising up a humble miner's son to rebuild the ruined edifice.
Birth
of Saint Martin Luther at Eisleben, Germany
Birth-place
of Saint Martin Luther - (the third house on right-hand side).
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The
great Dr. Luther was born in the town of Eisleben, Germany,
on November 10, 1483. His parents were John and Margaret Luther.
Inside the house is this inscription:
In
this house Dr. Martin Luther was born, the 10th of November
1483. God's Word is Luther's lore; which abides for evermore.
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Boyhood
of Saint Martin Luther
The
Luther's were very poor and young Martin (like St. Columba), was gifted
with a great voice. Many times he literally had to sing for his supper!!
An angel of mercy Frau Ursula Cotta often shared the family meal with
him.
Luther
grew up in this house in Eisenach, Germany.
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Luther
as a boy by professor Lindenschmidt.
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Less
than 10 years after the birth of Luther, a New World was discovered
by John Cabot. God knew that Luther's Reformation would be mightily
assailed by Satan in Europe so He had a new continent prepared for
the Reformed Christians.
Saint
Martin Luther discovered the Bible!!
Luther's
discovery of the Bible.
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Luther
had a near miss with lightening and almost got killed. That
is why he decided to become a monk. By forsaking the world and
hiding himself in a monastery, the monk believed that he was
serving God. He soon learned that the thick walls do not keep
out the lusts which burn within.
He was deeply
troubled that all his fasts, whippings, vigils, penances etc.,
etc. were unavailing in giving him peace within.
One day
he accidentally discovered the Bible in an old dusty
attic in the monastery.
The corrupt
Jerome version of the Bible was locked up in the Latin tongue
which only scholars could understand. Fortunately, Martin excelled
in the study of Latin . . . and Greek.
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Saint
Martin Luther was appointed Professor of Theology in 1508
Saint
Martin was such a brilliant student that he soon surpassed all the
others in zeal and learning. He was appointed professor of theology
in 1508.
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Augustinian
Monastery. |
Luther
was appointed professor of theology at this Augustinian Monastery
at Wittenberg, in the fall of 1508. |
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Saint
Martin Luther visited Rome!!
The young
and naive monk visited the city of Rome 1510. Imagine his shock when
he found out that holy Rome was actually unholy Rome:
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The
Pantheon at Rome. |
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Luther
made a visit to the unholy city in 1510. While climbing
Pilate's staircase on his knees to do penance for his sins he
heard a voice like thunder say:
"The
just shall live by faith"
At that
time the new Cathedral of St. Peter's was under construction
and money was desperately needed. This is what started the indulgences
scandal. Luther said later about his visit to Rome:
"I myself"
he declares, "have heard people say openly in the streets
of Rome, "If there be a hell, Rome is built on it."
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"Salvation
for sale" sparked the blessed Reformation!!
That
the free gift of God should be bought and sold like a commodity in
the marketplace aroused the ire of Saint Martin Luther. Indulgence
seller Tetzel would approach a town and beat loudly on a DRUM to summons
the people. Then he would proceed to offer his license to sin
for money. When Luther heard of his approach to Wittenberg he said:
:
"I'll
put a hole in his drum."
Big business!
A typical market day scene in Germany before the
Reformation.
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License
to sin. Copy of the infamous Indulgence by Tetzel.
The
sale of indulgences was started by Pope Alexander Borgia in
the year 1500.
The
keys are actually the keys of the SAFE or the STRONG BOX.
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This is what
sparked the Reformation. The Pope desperately needed money to build
St. Peter's in Rome. Forgiveness of sins like murder, adultery,
lying, theft, swearing etc., etc. was offered for a price.
You could even
buy forgiveness for future sins. . . . Salvation was bought
and sold like any common marketplace commodity. That the gift
of God could be treated so contemptuously was the last straw
for Luther.
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Handwriting
on the door. Oct. 31, 1517. |
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Pope Leo
X. (1513 - 1521).
Leo
thundered at Saint Martin and ordered him to appear
at Rome with 60 days!! |
The
Burning of Babylon commences!!
Pope
Leo X., roared at Luther and sent him a Bull of Excommunication
ordering him to appear at Rome within 60 days to recant . . . or face
a fiery death.
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The
burning of Babylon commences. |
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Flames
consume the Papal Bull of Excommunication. Luther ignored this
Papal thunder and on Dec. 10, 1520, outside the gates
of Wittenberg, he burnt the Papal Bull; the Decretals of Clement
VI., the Summa Angelica, the Chrysposus of
Dr. Eck etc., etc.
By this
brave act Luther formally excommunicated the Pope. Since that
fateful day, the fire of God's wrath has never ceased to consume
Babylon the Great. |
Elector
Frederick the "Wise" protected Saint Martin Luther
Frederick the Wise,
Elector of Saxony.
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Frederick
the "Wise", Elector of Saxony, was the founder of the
University of Wittenberg. He protected Saint Martin Luther from
the wrath of the Pope. Read his famous dream on the night before Oct. 31. |
Saint
Martin Luther at Worms
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City
of Worms. |
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Site
of the famous Diet of Worms held in 1521. Here Luther
defended his writings before the Emperor Charles and all the
dignitaries of the empire. Here he made his timeless reply when
asked if he would recant his writings:
I
cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils,
because it is clear as day they have frequently erred and
contradicted each other. Unless therefore, I am convinced
by the testimony of Scripture . . . I can and will not retract
. . . Here I stand . . . I can do no other. So help me God,
Amen!!
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Babylonian
Captivity of the Congregation!!
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Cover of
the book: Babylonian Captivity of the Congregation
by Martin Luther. |
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The
Babylonian Captivity of the Congregation written by Saint
Martin Luther in 1520. In that book he compared the previous
1000 years of Roman domination of the Christian Congregation
to the 70 year Babylonian Captivity of the Jews in Babylon.
Of course
he did recognize that the end of the Captivity was at hand and
that the countdown to the Second Coming of Christ had begun.
Satan knew
the signs of the times however. When Saint Martin was at Worms
defending his writings; the Spanish soldiers went from house
to house confiscating and burning copies of the book.
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Emperor
Charles V fights the Reformation . . . and is defeated!!
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Emperor
Charles V. (1500-1558). |
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Emperor
Charles V, ruler of the first of the 4
world Empires. His scepter swayed over the largest empire
in the history of the world. Luther's sword was sharper than his.
Luther told him that if he fought God's Reformation he would lose
everything. . . . He died a bitter and defeated man. |
Saint
Martin Luther translates the Bible into German
Luther
was put under the Ban of the Empire. His friends, fearing for his
safety, kidnapped him and carried him off to the Wartburg Castle.
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Luther
carried off to the Wartburg. |
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Under
the assumed name of Junker Geoge, Saint Martin began to translate
the New Testament from Greek to German.
This he
accomplished in the remarkable time of only a few weeks.
Trouble
in Wittenberg caused him to leave the castle and return home
where he later finished the translation of the Old Testament.
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German
translation was the best in the world!!
The
German translation of the Holy Scriptures was the best and most accurate
translation since the Latin Italic version of 150 A.D. All
the other version are copies of that masterpiece.
Luther's
study at Wittenberg
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In
1522, Saint Martin returned to Wittenberg. This is where he completed
his extraordinary translation of the Bible. The King James Bible
is 75 per cent the work of English Reformer William Tyndale. Tyndale
visited Luther here and Tyndale copied a lot from Luther. Even
the notes on the margin of Tyndale's Bible are exactly the same
as Luther's translation. He also had a tremendous influence on
the Spanish translation as most educated Spaniards spoke German. |
It's
no fun to be a nun!!
Young girls were
enticed to enter the convent thinking
that they could escape from the corrupt world and become brides
of Christ. Imagine their horror when they discovered that they were
required to become priests' lovers and bear their children. Of course
escape was impossible and many died horrible deaths within the gloomy
walls of the convent.
The blessed Reformation
ended that nightmare in England and Germany.
Luther's
wife ex-nun Saint Katharina von Bora as a bride.
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Saint
Martin was very reluctant to marry because of his precarious
existence as an outlaw under the Ban of the Empire. Any day
he expected to be arrested and burned alive.
He found
husbands for all the rescued nuns except Saint Katharina. Saint
Katharina would have no husband except Saint Martin and so they
were united in holy matrimony.
Luther rescued
this beautiful flower from the gloomy, concealed life of a convent
because he knew that it was no fun to be a nun. She
became his wife in 1525; was a real helper in the work of the
Reformation, and became a joyful mother of 4 children. |
Saint
Martin was an ARMY OF ONE at Wittenberg!!
St.
Martin was a ARMY OF ONE at Wittenberg. He was a Reformer, Bible translator,
writer, publisher, printer, preacher, loving husband and father of
4 children. His collected works number over 100 volumes in the days
when everything was done by hand.
Saint
Martin Luther's last words!!
Luther's
home going was on the morning of February 18, 1546. These are his
last words:
"Standing
over Luther's tomb, you recall the story of his death at Eisleben.
He had arrived there on the 28th of January, 1546, and although
very unwell, he took part in the conferences which ensued up to
the 17th of February. He also preached four times, and revised the
ecclesiastical regulations for the territory of Mansfeld. On the
17th he was so ill that the Counts entreated him not to quit his
house. At supper, on the same day, he spoke a great deal about his
approaching death; and some one having asked him whether we should
recognise one another in the next world, he said he thought we should.
"I feel very weak," he exclaimed, "and my pains are worse than ever.
If I could manage to sleep for half an hour, I think it would do
me good." He did fall asleep, and remained in gentle slumber for
an hour and a half. On awaking about eleven he asked, "What! are
you still there? Will you not go and rest yourselves?" On their
replying that they would remain, he began to
cry with fervour, "‘Into Thy hands I commend my spirit: Thou hast
redeemed me, O Lord God of truth’ Pray, all of you, dear friends,
for the Gospel of our Lord; pray that its reign may extend, for
the Council of Trent and the Pope menace it round about." He then
slumbered about an hour.
When he awoke,
he remarked, "I feel very ill. I think I shall remain here at Eisleben,
here—where I was born." He walked almost the room, and then lay
down, and had a number of clothes and cushions placed over him to
produce perspiration; but they had not the desired effect. "O my
Father!" he went on to pray, "Thou, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Thou, the source of all consolation, I thank Thee for having revealed
unto me Thy well-beloved Son, in whom I believe; whom I have preached
and acknowledged, and made known; whom I have loved and celebrated,
and whom the Pope and the impious persecute. I commend my soul to
Thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ I am about to quit this terrestrial
body, I am about to be removed from this life; but I know that I
shall abide eternally with Thee. ‘Into thy hands I commend my spirit:
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’"His eyes closed, and
he fell back in a swoon. When he revived, Jonas said to him, "Reverend
father, do you die firm in the faith you have taught?" He opened
his eyes, looked fixedly, and replied, "Yes." Soon after, those
nearest saw him grow paler and paler; he became cold; his breathing
seemed more and more faint; at length, heaving one deep sigh, Martin
Luther expired."
Saint
Martin Luther final resting place in Wittenberg, Germany
Town Hall
and Stadt Kirche, Wittenberg.
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This
the final resting place of Saint Martin Luther until that soon
coming great Resurrection Morning.
Will you
be joining him???
Battle Hymn of the Reformation. |
Vital
Link
Elector
Frederick the Wise's famous dream on the night before the handwriting
on the door.
References.
Stoughton,
John, D.D. Homes and Haunts of Luther. London, 1883
Wylie, J.A.
LLD.History of Protestantism. (in
3 volumes.) Thymme & Jervis, London, 1920.
Copyright
© 2007 by Niall Kilkenny
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