Saturday, October 27, 2007
Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, language and people.
FORERUNNERS OF THE REFORMATION: PETER WALDO (d. 1218)
Lutheranism has traditionally seen Martin Luther as a fulfillment of this angel. Of course, Martin is not the only fulfillment of this image. The vision of God's messenger hovering out of harm's way and continually proclaiming the Good News is fulfilled whenever the gospel is spoken by God's people.
Peter Waldo and his followers remind us that the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ will prevail, being preached and proclaimed in every age until we see our Savior's face on the day of judgment and salvation.
Peter Waldo was a merchant who worked in Lyon (France). He learned of the gospel and cherished its message greatly. He had the New Testament translated into the language of the people and began to distribute copies of the New Testament. He also began preaching the pure gospel of Christ to his fellow men. He organized a society to further the gospel and broaden the distribution of God's word.
Waldo's mistake came when he asked the Pope to confirm the Bible society that he had established. In 1179, Pope Alexander III confirmed Waldo's vow of poverty, but forbade him to preach. Needless to say, Waldo continued to proclaim the eternal gospel of Christ.
Eventually Waldo and his followers were excommunicated from the church for their "heresy" and persecuted greatly. The blood of the Waldensians fell heavily on the ground as many thousands were burned or slaughtered for preaching salvation through Christ. But this only caused these "angels" of God to be scattered throughout Europe, bearing the eternal light of the gospel.
My fellow "angels," by the grace of God, we bear that same light of salvation through Christ. Let us cherish it as Waldo did, and gift its light to our neighbors also.
