Martin Luther proved, by the revelations of Daniel and St. John, by the epistles of St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Jude, that the reign of Antichrist, predicted and described in the Bible was the Papacy.
Luther’s thought of the pope as the Antichrist was absolutely vital to the Reformation. And what is happening today to the Protestant churches as they turn away embarrassed from this stance? Certainly much of evangelicalism and fundamentalism can no longer consider itself Protestant in the original shape of its identity.
Luther was forcibly ejected from the Romish Church, because he had confessed the pure doctrine of God’s word. He therefore desired to show the whole world what he thought of such an excommunication. On the 10th of December, 1520, at 9 o’clock in the morning, a fire was kindled at the Elster gate of Wittenberg, and, in the presence of a large assembly of doctors, masters and students, Dr. Luther cast the bull which had been sent him, together with the papal Canon Law, into the flames, saying: “Since thou hast vexed the Holy One of God, may the everlasting fire vex and consume thee!”
