The True Dwelling of God
“On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
MATTHEW 16:18
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The True Dwelling of God
We must learn this and be informed as to who and what constitutes Christendom and what we have in Christ. Then our hope of eternal life will be ever more solidly based, especially in our last hour; then we shall remain cheerful and undaunted by the world and by the devil, with his evil suggestions; then we are confident that Christ will remain our Guest, and we His inn and dwelling…Since we have Him, we certainly have everything and will be able to cope with the devil, death, and hell. Hence even though we die now, we shall still live; and even though we go to hell, we are still in heaven. Even though the devil consumes and devours us, his belly will burst with his eternal mockery and mischief, and will disgorge us alive. For he will surely be compelled to leave undevoured this Lord who dwells in us, and to leave His church and dwelling undestroyed. For this Lord also wants to have a tabernacle and castle. He has erected it on a solid rock and mountain, and no power of hell will prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). This is the true dwelling of God that is typified in the Old Testament by the Ark of the Covenant and the temple, namely, the little group of Christians, who believe and confess the Word of Christ.
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16 (Luther's Works 24:159-60)
MATTHEW 16:18
+
The True Dwelling of God
We must learn this and be informed as to who and what constitutes Christendom and what we have in Christ. Then our hope of eternal life will be ever more solidly based, especially in our last hour; then we shall remain cheerful and undaunted by the world and by the devil, with his evil suggestions; then we are confident that Christ will remain our Guest, and we His inn and dwelling…Since we have Him, we certainly have everything and will be able to cope with the devil, death, and hell. Hence even though we die now, we shall still live; and even though we go to hell, we are still in heaven. Even though the devil consumes and devours us, his belly will burst with his eternal mockery and mischief, and will disgorge us alive. For he will surely be compelled to leave undevoured this Lord who dwells in us, and to leave His church and dwelling undestroyed. For this Lord also wants to have a tabernacle and castle. He has erected it on a solid rock and mountain, and no power of hell will prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). This is the true dwelling of God that is typified in the Old Testament by the Ark of the Covenant and the temple, namely, the little group of Christians, who believe and confess the Word of Christ.
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16 (Luther's Works 24:159-60)
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