The forms of opposition to the truth may change, the enmity may be less open because it is more subtle; but the same antagonism still exists & will be manifested to the end of time. GC 144.1
The spirit of the world is no more in harmony with the spirit of Christ today than in earlier times,& those who preach the word of God in its purity will be received with no greater favor now than then...GC 144.1
And on the other hand our Lord declared plainly: “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26.
The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:19, 20.
Said Jesus to His disciples: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you......John 15:19, 20.
Already I feel greater liberty in my heart,Dr Martin Luther wrote; for at last I know that the pope is antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan himself.”—D’Aubigne, b. 6, ch. 9. GC 141.3
When the papal bull reached Luther, he said: “I despise and attack it, as impious, false.... It is Christ Himself who is condemned therein.... I rejoice in having to bear such ills for the best of causes. D’Aubigne, b. 6, ch. 9. GC 141.3
Is this being like the poor Jesus, or the humble Peter? He is, say they, the lord of the world! But Christ, whose vicar he boasts of being, has said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ Can the dominions of a vicar extend beyond those of his superior?”—D’Aubigne GC 140.4
In an appeal to the emperor and nobility of Germany in behalf of the reformation of Christianity, Luther wrote concerning the pope: “It is a horrible thing to behold the man who styles himself Christ’s vicegerent, displaying a magnificence that no emperor can equal. —. GC 140.4
Rome was bent upon the destruction of Luther; but God was his defense. His doctrines were heard everywhere—“in cottages & convents, ... in the castles of the nobles, in the universities & in the palaces of kings;” & noble men were rising on every hand to sustain his efforts. GC
One day a stranger, with a pistol hidden under his cloak, approached the Reformer & inquired why he went thus alone. “I am in God’s hands,” answered Luther. “He is my strength & my shield. What can man do unto me?”GC 140.1
Rome became more & more exasperated by the attacks of Luther & it was declared by some of his fanatical opponents, even by doctors in Catholic universities, that he who should kill the rebellious monk would be without sin. GC139
The complicated & expensive arrangements to restrain & punish crime would be unnecessary if men but acknowledged & obeyed the requirements of God & the dictates of an enlightened conscience. GC138
The "Elector" of Saxony in Luther’s time ,Frederick, saw that there was a general breaking down of the moral restraints of society. A great work of reform was needed......GC138
A living faith was taking the place of the dead formalism in which the church had so long been held. The people were daily losing confidence in the superstitions of Romanism.GC133
When enemies appealed to custom & tradition, or to the assertions & authority of the pope, Luther met them with the Bible & the Bible only. Here were arguments which they could not answer; therefore the slaves of formalism & superstition clamored for his blood........GC132
“He is a heretic,“ cried the Roman zealots. “It is high treason against the church to allow so horrible a heretic to live one hour longer. Let the scaffold be instantly erected for him!”—Ibid., b. 3, ch. 9. But Luther did not fall a prey to their fury....GC133
Dr Martin Luther’s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds throughout all Germany. From his sermons & writings issued beams of light which awakened & illuminated thousands....GC133
Everywhere was such a hungering & thirsting after righteousness as had not been known for ages. The eyes of the people, so long directed to human rites & earthly mediators, were now turning in penitence & faith to Christ & Him crucified. GC 133.1