Chapter 9: Luther's False Doctrine of Eschatology
Chapter Nine Luther's False Doctrine of Eschatology
There are four major areas of doctrine concerning the "end times" that Luther refused to believe. These four important doctrines include: The "Rapture" and the 7-Year Tribulation Period. The 7-Year Tribulation Period begins immediately following the Rapture of the Church, and is prophesied in Daniel 9:24-27. It is also known as the "70th Week of Daniel." The events described between Revelation, Chapters 4 and 19, take place during this 7 years of God's judgment upon the earth. This is all denied by Luther. The Rapture Explained: "The Rapture of the Church refers to the event which is prophesied in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17,
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" (V.16).
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (V.17). This Scripture reveals that living Christians at the time of the Rapture "will be caught up," or raptured, with those resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. This event we know has not yet occurred, but it will be fulfilled in the near future. This same event is also described in 1 Corinthians 15:49-54, as well as many other places. The Restoration of the Jewish Nation. The fulfillment of God's Promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the literal rule and reign of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom on earth for 1,000 years. In order to deny the literal fulfillment of the hundreds and hundreds of prophecies concerning these major doctrines, Luther fell into another trap door of Satan. He, therefore, spiritualized them; instead of believing that God would literally fulfill what He had predicted. The Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (ELCA); the Missouri Synod, and the Wisconsin Synod have, all three, followed their god, Martin Luther, in propagating the same false teaching. The Missouri Synod. In their booklet entitled "THE DOCTRINAL POSITION of the MISSOURI SYNOD," they state precisely what they reject concerning the Millennium (i.e., the 1,000-Year Kingdom Reign of Christ on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords).
"With the Augsburg Confession (Art. XVII). We reject every type of Millennialism." (P.19, Par. 42).
"Or Chiliasm," the opinion that Christ will return visibly to this earth a thousand years before the end of the world." (Ibid).
"Or that before the general resurrection on judgment day a number of departed Christians or Martyrs are to be raised again to reign in glory in this world." (Ibid). This is referring to their denial of the Rapture, as spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, and many other places in the Bible.
Luther also did not believe: "That before the end of the world a universal conversion of the Jewish Nation (of Israel according the flesh) will take place." (P.20, 1st Par.).
Luther's hatred towards the Jews was so intense that it totally blinded him from believing God's promises concerning the Nation of Israel. He did not believe all the hundreds of Scriptures prophesying that Israel would be an established nation on earth and inherit all the land that God had promised to Abraham and his seed. (Genesis 13:1-17; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:7-8; Jeremiah 31:31-34). Ezekiel, Chapters 40-48, for example, describe in minute detail what transpires concerning Israel during the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, in His Kingdom on earth. This was the same philosophy of the Roman Catholic church, which inherited it from Origen and Augustine (354-430 A.D.). This school of philosophy has been identified by different names; such as, "Amillennialism," "Replacement Theology," and "Covenant Theology," etc.
In other words, they spiritualize all the prophecies referring to Israel and the earthly Kingdom (the Millennium) and deny any literal fulfillment, as God has promised in the future.
Therefore, they take all the future promised blessings of God for Israel and "spiritually" transfer them to the church. They deny any literal fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. This same corrupt philosophy is alive and well today, thanks to Satan and his "...false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Christ describes all false teachers in the same category with these in Matthew 23:27.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." To those I have talked with who advocate denying the Millennial Kingdom, I have proposed the following question to them: "Since you take it upon yourself to take all the prophetic blessings promised to Israel and spiritually apply them to the church; then, why do you not do the same with all other prophetic Scriptures, including the judgments?" For example, God prophesied that Israel would be taken captive by Assyria. Judah and Benjamin (the Southern Tribes) would be taken captive by Babylon. Then, Babylon would be taken by the Medo-Persians who, in turn, would fall to the Grecians, who would fall to the Roman Empire. These were prophesies of judgment against Israel and Judah and Benjamin. Why do you not spiritualize all the prophesies of judgment and apply them to the Church, just as you spiritualize all the future blessings and transfer them to the Church? In reality, those following Martin Luther's philosophy, only spiritualize the Scriptures they want to, in order to make them fit their own preconceived ideas. The reason they didn't spiritualize the judgments on Israel is because they were already LITERALLY FULFILLED! Therefore, since God literally fulfilled His previous judgments as pronounced on Israel, why would God deviate from literally fulfilling His promised blessings of the Millennium upon Israel, which have never been fulfilled as yet?
God has some advice for these false teachers who pick and choose, using the Bible as a "Scripture Cafeteria," choosing what they want to believe and denying what they do not want to believe. Here is the Lord's advice as recorded in Isaiah 42:9, "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
God further admonishes these false teachers, who deny any future Millennium, blessings or restoration of the Nation of Israel in Isaiah 48:3, on the basis of His past predictions and fulfillments.
"I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass."
Luther knew from Scripture and confirmation of History, that the judgments God had predicted upon Israel for their idolatry had been literally fulfilled. BUT, his hatred for the Jews blinded his eyes to the truth of God's Word which promised Israel's restoration in their own land when "...all Israel shall be saved...." (Romans 11:26 a).
I would like to draw your attention to just a couple of the hundreds of Scriptures that speak of Israel's restoration in their own promised land. One passage is found in Ezekiel 36:24-28,
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land."(V.24).
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."(V.25).
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."(V.26).
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."(V.27).
"And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."(V.28). The rest of Ezekiel 36:1-38, describes what transpires during the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. Notice God's promise to Israel, and His blessing to them in Ezekiel 37:13-14.
"And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves," (V.13).
"And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."(V.14).
Hear God's promise to Israel in Ezekiel 37:21-23.
"And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: (V.21). And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: (V.22).
"Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God." (V.23).
Luther absolutely refused to believe in the future blessings that God had promised to Israel. God's Word, through the mouth of Isaiah, describes the unbelievers of Isaiah's day as well as those in the future, which includes Martin Luther. In Isaiah 48:6 we have the record.
"Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it?..."
Luther did not believe in Israel's future restoration; because, he never believed God's Word that it would ever take place. God describes Luther, as well as other false teachers who believe only what fits their own philosophy and humanistic reasoning.
"Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;" (Isaiah 48:4).
I have only briefly inserted this information for our readers to acknowledge the origin of this false teaching of Amillennialism, Replacement Theology, and Covenant Theology. This idea of "no Millennium," to the best of my knowledge, first sprang up, as previously stated, in the Third Century and was taught by a man named Origen (185-254 A.D.) and endorsed by Augustine (354-430 A.D.) in the Fourth Century. The Roman Catholic Church practically worships Augustine and holds to his philosophy of "no Millennium." Luther, being raised in the Roman Church, and loving it, adapted the same philosophy.
After 460 some years, Luther's robot preachers are "programmed" or "brainwashed" through his colleges to propagate the same philosophy of denying all the Old Testament verses promising all these blessings on earth to Israel, during the Millennium.
If Martin Luther were living in America today, he would be relentless in trying to persuade our President to withdraw all aid and support for Israel. Luther's hatred of the Jewish people blinded him to the truth of God's words to Abraham in Genesis 12:3,
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:3).
Luther contributed to the curse of God on Germany, and he would do the same to America if he were living today!
I have inserted the following two diagrams, to illustrate how many of the biblical prophecies regarding the future, and their literal fulfillment, that Luther disregards and refuses to believe.
Diagram One, "True Biblical Eschatology;" and Diagram Two, "Martin Luther's Perverted Philosophy," follow on next two pages.
Diagram One
TRUE BIBLICAL ESCHATOLOGY
Explanation: This Diagram shows the Church Age, beginning after Calvary and concluding with the Rapture. Immediately following the Rapture begins seven literal years of God's judgment upon the earth, as described in Revelation 4:1 to Revelation 19:10, and known as the "7-Yr. Tribulation." The Tribulation Period ends at Christ's "2nd Coming. Christ returns to this earth, judges the nations; all Old Testament saved receive their resurrected bodies; and Israel, as a nation, will rule and reign with Christ for one thousand literal years (Revelation 19:11 to Revelation 20:4).
Diagram Two
MARTIN LUTHER'S PERVERTED PHILOSOPHY Luther Denies 1,007 Years of Biblical Prophecy
Explanation: This Diagram reveals Luther's philosophy which originated with Origen and Augustine in the Third and Fourth Century. The philosophy of Origen and Augustine was followed by the Roman Catholic organization and then adopted by Martin Luther and his followers. This denial of Scripture results in no Rapture, no 7-Yr. Tribulation, no fulfillment of God's Kingdom promises to Israel, and no Millennium, and no Thousand-Year Reign of Christ. These Doctrines are all clearly taught in Scripture. The result is, I have talked with myriads of Catholics and Lutherans, who have never heard of the Rapture or the Millennial Reign of Christ!
Diagram One illustrates the Church Age, which will conclude with the Rapture. Immediately following the Rapture begins the seven, literal years of God's judgment upon the earth as described in the Book of Revelation from Chapters 4 to 19. In Revelation 19:1-21, Christ returns to this earth, judges the nations; all Old Testament saved receive their resurrected bodies; and Israel, as a nation, will rule and reign with Christ for 1,000 literal years. In Revelation 20:1-15, the length of the 1,000 years is stated 6 different times. This is what Luther denies. He denies the hundreds of Scriptures that describe in minute detail those prophecies which prove the events of Diagram One.
Diagram Two illustrates Luther's philosophy, which originated with Origen and Augustine in the 3rd and 4th Century. Their philosophy was followed by the Roman Catholic organization and adopted by Martin Luther and his followers. I have talked with myriads of Catholics and Lutherans who have never heard of the Rapture or the Millenial Reign of Christ. For example, in Luther's Catechisms, you will find that when he speaks concerning the end of the Church Age, he states the Church Age will continue until Christ comes to judge mankind, and culminate in the creation of new heavens and earth. He, therefore, denies the Rapture, the 7-Year Tribulation Period, the Millennial Reign of Christ, and Israel restored as a nation. Here are a couple of Luther's references to substantiate this:
"Even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith;...and will at the Last Day raise up me and all the dead." (Small Catechism, P.11, under "Sanctification.").
"He (Christ) descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead." (Small Catechism, P. 10, under "Redemption."). By the way, if you haven't noticed, Luther stated that Christ went to Hell. The "great theologian" must have overlooked Luke 23:43, which states that Christ went to Paradise, NOT Hell. Here is the record.
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in PARADISE." The foregoing is meant only to enlighten anyone, including Lutheran worshippers, as to what this man does not believe concerning God's Word. Should one be interested in an excellent, in-depth study concerning the Millenium, Amillenialism and the fallacies of Replacement Theology (also known as Covenant Theology), I would highly recommend the following book:"The Millennial Kingdom" by John F. Walvoord, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530 In Conclusion: Why is it important to believe what the Bible says about Eschatology, defined as "the Doctrine of Last Things;" or, in other words, future prophetic events such as the Rapture of the Church, the Tribulation, Restoration of Israel, and the Millennium?
Because God said it! We should believe it!
"... let God be true, but every man a liar;" (Romans 3:4). The Rapture of the Church is the "Blessed Hope" of the believer with which we are to comfort one another.
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" (Titus 2:13).
"Then we (all saved) which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (V.17).
Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18). The Restoration of the Nation of Israel and the return to their land (All of it!) in the Millennium are precious promises of God to the Jewish people.
Believing that God is never going to fail in the fulfillment of his covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their children, the Nation of Israel, results in a right attitude toward the Jewish people of today. We will then be able to say, as did the Apostle Paul, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." (Romans 10:1).
God will bless us for loving his "chosen people," the Jews.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." (Psalms 122:6).
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:3).
What are you going to do? Starve yourself at Martin Luther's "Scripture Cafeteria;" or feast at God's banquet table of precious promises?
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,..." (Acts 16:31).