![]() ![]() Who, after all, could "live by faith" but those who were already righteous? The text was clear on the matter: "the righteous shall live by faith." He was increasingly terrified of the wrath of God: "When it is touched by this passing inundation of the eternal, the soul feels and drinks nothing but eternal punishment."ĭuring his early years, whenever Luther read what would become the famous "Reformation text"-Romans 1:17-his eyes were drawn not to the word faith, but to the word righteous. Though he sought by these means to love God fully, he found no consolation. As he later commented, "If anyone could have earned heaven by the life of a monk, it was I." He plunged into prayer, fasting, and ascetic practices-going without sleep, enduring bone-chilling cold without a blanket, and flagellating himself. Luther was extraordinarily successful as a monk. ![]() The scrupulous Luther fulfilled his vow: he gave away all his possessions and entered the monastic life. As the 21-year-old Luther fought his way through a severe thunderstorm on the road to Erfurt, a bolt of lightning struck the ground near him. Then in 1505 his life took a dramatic turn. He proved so adept at public debates that he earned the nickname "The Philosopher." There Martin earned both his baccalaureate and master's degrees in the shortest time allowed by university statutes. Hans sent Martin to Latin school and then, when Martin was only 13 years old, to the University of Erfurt to study law. He was raised in Mansfeld, where his father worked at the local copper mines. Martin was born at Eisleben (about 120 miles southwest of modern Berlin) to Margaret and Hans Luder (as it was locally pronounced). Both Catholics and Protestants affirm he was not only right about a great deal, but he changed the course of Western history for the better. In our day, nearly 500 years hence, the verdict is nearly unanimous to the good. One Catholic thought Martin Luther was a "demon in the appearance of a man." Another who first questioned Luther's theology later declared, "He alone is right!" In the sixteenth century, the world was divided about Martin Luther. Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open." Jesus having the keys of death means He has the power to release from death those who receive the gift of salvation He offers."At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith. Later, an angel is seen locking things in the bottomless pit (20:1–3).Įternal life through Jesus Christ is the blessed assurance John describes in 1 John 5:6–13. In Revelation 9:1–2, an angel is given a key to, or control over, the bottomless pit, and he uses the key to open that pit. ![]() Later, Eliakim becomes the governor of the palace in Jerusalem. In chapter 22, it was written that Eliakim would be given authority and that God would “place on his shoulder the key to the house of David.” By the “key to the house of David,” it is meant that the Lord would place Eliakim in a position of authority. Isaiah 37:2 speaks of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, an honorable man sent on an important errand. This concept makes sense to possess a master key to a building is to have the authority to open any of its doors and enter any room. The Bible frequently speaks of keys as representing control or authority over something or someone. Someone given “a key to the city” is considered welcome and honored within that city. Think of the concept of giving someone “the key to the city.” This key is sometimes a large, cartoonish key that fits no lock but is symbolic of an honor bestowed. Moreover, He has the authority to release His followers from death in order that they may be with Him forever. Jesus, who has the authority over death, had the unique power to give up His spirit and to rise from the dead. Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead (Mark 15:44). This command I received from my Father.” When Jesus died, He died according to His own timing, when He “gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. In John 10:17–18, Jesus says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says, “I am the Living One I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Possessing the “keys of death” means that the risen Christ has control and authority over death. ![]()
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