The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VI. Janow Makes Complete Break With Rome Over Antichrist

Matthias of Janow (d. 1394), the Wyclif of the Bohemian church, was born at Prague of noble parentage. Conspicuously talented and well educated, he was called the “Parisian master” because he continued his studies at the University of Paris, from which he received his doctor’s degree after nine years. In 1381 he became canon in the Cathedral of Prague. Janow was a de voted disciple of Milicz, whose writings filled him with “enthusiastic admiration,” powerfully influencing his life. PFF2 37.2

Janow paved the way for the Hussite movement by his writings, just as Milicz had done by his preaching. In these writings the prophetic concepts of Milicz were further developed by Janow, with their influence extending on to Huss. PFF2 37.3

1. BIBLICAL AND PROPHETICAL BASIS OF TEACHINGS

According to his own testimony Janow was converted from his evil habits through the reading of the Scriptures. ⁷⁵ In 1388 he wrote a treatise on the Lord’s supper, which stirred up severe persecution. He fought for the restoration of the wine at communion, and condemned the worship of images, saints, and relics. He attributed the deplorable conditions of the church to neglect of the study of the Word and the fact that the traditions of men were exalted above the Word of God. He firmly opposed righteousness by works, teaching that justification and sanctification come only’ through faith by the grace of God and the merits of the blood of Christ. ⁷⁶ Thus clear rays of divine light penetrated the surrounding darkness. PFF2 37.4

Picture 2: CATHEDRAL TAPESTRY ATTESTS INTEREST IN PROPHECY
Fourteenth Century Angers Cathedral Tapestry, in France, Portrays the Transfer of Power from the Dragon of Rvelation 12 to the Seven-headed Beast From the Sea, of Revelation 13
Page 38

Janow vigorously opposed the encroachments of the Papacy, denouncing the iniquities of the clergy and charging that the church had changed from a spiritual power to a secular force. Under the Western Schism, Janow’s ideas of reform ripened into opposition to Rome, which he came to regard as the apostate Antichrist, instead of Christ’s vicar.” ⁷⁷ He declared Antichrist had come long ago, and was even then claiming dominion over the church. This he considered imperative to expose, believing “a secularized hierarchy was Antichrist embodied.” ⁷⁸ Janow based these contentions on 2 Thessalonians 2, on Daniel, and on Revelation 13 and 17, and believed Antichrist was to be destroyed at the second advent. His views naturally aroused the ire of the church authorities. He was arraigned before the synod of Prague in 1389, where his views were condemned. But his reformatory ideas paved the way for Huss, ⁷⁹ and later for Luther. PFF2 38.1

Janow went further in practical reform than either Konrad or Milicz. He was indeed the Wyclif of the Bohemian church. His efforts toward reformation of the corrupt Latin system were intended to remove entirely the yoke of that system. Though not suffering punishment as a heretic, he was not long permitted to sow seeds that would undermine some of the foundation principles of the papal hierarchy. Suspended from his ministry, he was obliged to leave Prague for a time, though he continued to teach. ⁸⁰ He especially emphasized that the Scriptures give grand prophetic vistas of the future. PFF2 39.1