The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

III. Luther on the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation, although it was translated by Luther earlier than the book of Daniel, did not at first have his full approval. He could draw no satisfaction from its symbols. He even hesitated to accept the Apocalypse as an authentic book, and mentioned his doubts freely in his first introduction to the book. In 1545, however, he prepared a new preface in which he gave a general synopsis of the book and its content, particularly with reference to chapters 13-20. ²⁸ PFF2 273.4

1. OUTLINE OF INTRODUCTION TO BOOK OF REVELATION

Luther understood the seven churches to be the seven churches in Asia Minor in John’s time. The sixth, seventh, and eighth chapters portray, in vivid pictures, the distress and affliction through which the church was to pass. The sixth seal pertained more to physical sufferings through wars, famines, and pestilence, while the seventh and eighth chapters describe the spiritual afflictions of the church. For instance, Luther regards “the great mountain burning with fire, and cast into the sea,” pictured in the second trumpet, as referring to Marcion, Mani, and the Manichaeans, those heretical teachers who had led thousands astray. In the ninth and tenth chapters the misery becomes extreme, as physical and spiritual afflictions are combined. The second woe, for instance, refers to Mohammed and the Saracens. The eleventh and twelfth chapters bring consolation through the two faithful witnesses and the woman clothed with the sun. PFF2 273.5

The thirteenth chapter contains the third woe on the papal imperium and the imperial Papacy. Here the Papacy receives worldly power and rules not only with the book but also with the sword, as the Catholics boastfully proclaim. Two beasts are shown, the one representing the imperial Roman power, the other with the two horns, the Papacy, which had become a worldly power and rules with indescribable cruelty. Really, Luther asserted, we find in this picture the devil’s last wrath. There in the East the second woe, Mohammed and his followers, and here in the West, the pope, and as a further addition the Turk, God and Magog, as is clearly shown in the twentieth chapter. Thus the Christian is tormented from all sides by false teachings and wars, by pen and by sword. PFF2 274.1

In the fourteenth chapter Christ stands ready to slay the Antichrist by the Spirit of His mouth and by the angel with the everlasting gospel. Then follows the other angel, who proclaims the downfall of Babylon, the decline of the spiritual Papacy. In the fifteenth and sixteenth chapters the angels with the seven vials appear; the true gospel light increases, and the seat of the Papacy will be attacked from all sides, until utter darkness covers it. Yet it will defend itself and try to urge the kings into battle on its behalf, though even that will not change its doom. PFF2 274.2

In Revelation 17 the imperial Papacy and the papal imperium are again portrayed from beginning to end. The Papacy is presented as an evildoer, who is to be tried publicly in order that men might understand in what manner this beast shall be judged and condemned. The eighteenth chapter shows the utter destruction and desolation o£ the Papacy, though they (the Catholics) nevertheless seek to incite the kings to violence and to warfare. But the One astride the white horse wins the battle. (Revelation 19.) PFF2 275.1

While all these events are in full progress, Gog and Magog, the Turk, whom Satan had bound 1,000 years prior, enters the picture. But soon he also will be hurled into the sea of fire. The exact time of the beginning of the 1,000 years is difficult to determine, but it is not necessary that all the details should be understood. Then follows the last judgment, and finally, in chapter 21, the holy city of God comes down, and Christ will be Lord of lords through all eternity. ²⁹ PFF2 275.2

2. DATES PAPAL PERIOD FROM GREGORY I

The 666 is ex pounded by Luther as years, possibly from the time of Gregory I (590-604): PFF2 275.3

“In the decrees [of the pope] are many and even very good passages taken from the Fathers and inserted, but the pope brings them into disrepute, as he claims the right to himself alone, and in this manner he stalks and rules in the name of God, and his reign shall last 666 years according to the number of the beast as John says (Revelation 13:18). This distress started soon after Gregory the First, and thereafter the bishop of Constantinople and the one of Rome quarreled over the primacy till the time of Charlemagne, in which he, the latter, rose and became a lord over all kings.” ³⁰ PFF2 275.4

3. ANTICHRIST’S KINGDOM PORTRAYED UNDER PERSECUTING BEAST

Papal, not Turkish, tyranny is portrayed in Revelation 13: PFF2 275.5

“The kingdom of Antichrist is also described in the revelation of John, where it is said: ‘And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.’ [Revelation 13:7.] This might seem prophesied of the Turk and not of the pope, but we must, on investigation, understand it of the pope’s abominations and tyranny in temporal respects. It is further said in the Apocalypse: ‘It shall be for a time, and times, and half a time.’ Here is the question: what is a time? If time be understood a year, the passage signifies three years and a half, and hits Antiochus, who for such a period persecuted the people of Israel, but at length died in his own filth’ and corruption. In like manner will the pope also be destroyed; for he began his kingdom, not through power or the divine authority, but through superstition and a forced interpretation of some passages of Scripture. Popedom is built on a foundation which will bring about its fall.” ³¹ PFF2 275.6

Picture 1: GRAPHIC GERMAN REFORMATION ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PROPHECIES
Illustration of Daniel 7 from luther bible of 1530-the beasts plotted Geographically on the mediterranean basin, and the four winds blowing on the sea of nations (upper left); hans lufft portrayal, in 1534, of plague-angels pouring out their vials, one on the seat of the triple-crowned beast (right); dragon pouring Out flood of persecution to destroy the woman also from 1534 luther bible (Center left); scarlet woman of Revelation 17, wearing triple crown, riding the beast and worshiped by notables (center right); contrast between christ and antichrist portrayed in famous passional series (lower)
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4. THREE AND A HALF TIMES BEGIN POSSIBLY WITH PHOCAS

The time feature perplexed Luther. He alludes to the possible beginning in the time of Phocas, the Eastern Roman Emperor (602-610), which is essentially the time of Gregory I. Says Luther, “I cannot well define or comprehend this prophecy: ‘a time, times, and half a time.’ ” (Revelation 13:14.) He concludes, “God knows how it stands, and how He will deliver those that are His.” Then he consoles them with the words: PFF2 277.1

“The pope is the last blaze in the lamp, which will go out, and ere long be extinguished, the last instrument of the devil, ... but when he [the Devil] is struck with God’s Word, then the pope is turned to a poppy and a frothy flower.” ³² PFF2 277.2

5. SPIRITUAL BABYLON IS PROPHESIED ABOMINATION

Com paring literal and spiritual Babylon, Luther says: PFF2 277.3

“The second Babylon is similar to the first, and what the mother has done, that is also practiced by the daughter. The first Babylon defended her faith by fire and burnt the ancestors of Christ. See Genesis 11:9. This Babylon in Rome burns the children of Christ. One Babylon is as pious as the other.” ³³ PFF2 277.4

Luther also identified Babylon as the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Christ: PFF2 277.5

“This is abomination itself, it is a foul odor of which Jesus speaks in
Matthew 24:15, ‘When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth,
let him understand:)’ etc., and Saint Paul: (1 2 Thessalonians 2:4) ‘He sitteth in the temple of God (that means, in the midst of Christendom), showing himself that he is God.’ ” ³⁴ PFF2 277.6