October 31, 1517

October 31, 1517, is probably not a date that you heard in History class. As Christians it is a date we should all remember and it is a date that many in America are looking at.

October 31, 1517, was the day a Monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a document to a church door in Wittenberg. That document contained a list of 95 Theses that started the Reformation that would eventually sweep across his native German Land, over to Europe and to the entire World. What would encompass two centuries and give us the likes of John Bunyan and John Calvin, the Reformation is continuing to play an important role today.

Today, Europe has forgotten who God is and they have turned to everything secular including the worship of Darwin over Jesus Christ.

America, once considered a Christian Nation, is anything but one today. We think that Europe is an Ocean away but the fact is we are seeing more and more of what Europe is today here in America.

In the face of what we are seeing in America, we are also seeing a revival of sorts. No, nothing has been nailed on a door but we are seeing the Gospel preached today in very isolated instances like it was preached 500 years ago. In the face of an America that has legalized Abortion and so called preachers that tell us there is more than one way other than Jesus, we are seeing bold Christians and Pastors standing up for the true Gospel. John MacArthur, Paul Washer, John Piper and many others are standing up for the Gospel.

We are seeing persecution of our Pastors here in America just like what has been happening for years in Europe. A Pastor 50 miles from me was told if he kept preaching the Gospel like he was that "he wouldn't last long." Unfortunately many other pastors have softened their message to comply with the so called Christians among them. If the Pastors are being persecuted who do you think is next?

Christians, it's time to stand for the truth. You may not be called to preach on a box in the park but if you are setting in a Church that is promoting everything other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are part of the problem.

While all of Martin Luther's statements are powerful I believe any writer places great emphasis on the first and the last thing they write. Here is what Martin Luther said first and last:

1) "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."

95) "And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace."

When the persecution and imprisonment comes the Truth of Jesus Christ will stand and the pretenders will run away. Christian, are you ready?