Martin Luther's Ideal Symbol Of The Reformation

THEN I SAW ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL COMING DOWN FROM HEAVEN, WRAPPED IN A CLOUD, WITH A RAINBOW OVER HIS HEAD, AND HIS FACE WAS LIKE THE SUN, AND HIS LEGS LIKE PILLARS OF FIRE.––The next event after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D. is the reformation begun by Martin Luther in 1517. “Another” angel refers to one other than those blowing the trumpets of Chapter 9. This was a “mighty angel,” so we should expect this to be an event of great significance. “Angel” means messenger, so we should expect this event signified by the mighty angel to relate to God’s message getting out to the world. His “coming down from heaven” means this is an event in the area of religion. “Wrapped in a cloud” is a symbol of God-initiated activity. The dark ages effectively

The dark ages, with its breakdown of culture and learning, left most people unable to read, and very few books were within economic reach of even the wealthy. This “little scroll,” an “open” book for all, was not reserved for just the clergy. Before the discovery of the printing press, hand-copied books were very large and expensive. Gutenberg’s invention changed all that with its first printing, the Bible. The Reformation lifted up this now accessible, more affordable Book as The Book to lead God’s people. It was “open” for all God’s people were able to read it in their own language.––AND HE SET HIS RIGHT FOOT ON THE SEA, AND HIS LEFT FOOT ON THE LAND,––“Right foot,” the powerful foot, was “on the sea, and his left foot on the land.” This could mean the effect of the Reformation begun by Luther in 1517 would have universal influence on both sea and land. It might also refer to the fact that the Reformation took root in the island kingdoms of England and Scotland as well as upon the continent in Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia. England, through its future world-wide empire, was to be the strong spreader of the Reformation to all parts of the world.

10:3 AND CALLED OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, LIKE A LION ROARING; WHEN HE CALLED OUT, THE SEVEN THUNDERS SOUNDED.––The Reformation did not come with quiet scholarly discussion, but with earth-shaking shouting matches

This is what Christians mean by saying that they consider certain books to be “canonical.” Three particular things were to be measured, “temple, altar, and those who worship,” thus implying that this was a work of God. The “temple” being measured means the church, which is the temple of God. It was to be restored or caused to measure up to what the Bible teaches about it. The “altar” is certainly the altar of sacrifice and stands figuratively for the “gospel.” This gospel tells of the once for all sacrifice of Jesus which needs to be brought to the whole world. “Those who worship” refers to the lives of Christians who need to measure up to the teachings of Scripture. Thus the restoration movement of the 19th century was to emphasize a return to the New Testament Church, preaching the original gospel and terms of salvation, and godly living. And all of these were to be according to the clear teachings of scripture, the universally accepted