Next, Luther explores the promise to David: "When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you." Luther points out that this does not refer to immediate descendants but is in fact a Messianic promise. For it is after David's death that this seed would be raised up.
Luther also explores the two houses mentioned: David's eternal house, built by God, and the temple build by Solomon, which would be destroyed by Babylon's Nebuchadnezzar. One reflects Gospel; the other reflects Law. Which do you suppose stands the test of time and which no longer exists?
Luther gets into some more name-calling. Specifically, these words are to be considered:
Anyone who would venture to contradict such clear and convincing statements of Scripture regarding the eternal house of David, which are borne out by the histories, showing that there were always kings or princes down to the Messiah, must be either the devil himself or whoever is his follower. For I can readily believe that the devil, or whoever it may be, would be unwilling to acknowledge a Messiah, but still he would have to acknowledge David's eternal house and throne.
It was Luther himself who stated we are at the same time saints and sinners. It was Luther who wrote that "The Law is a constant inhabitant in a man's heart, the Gospel a seldom guest." Luther should recognize that because of our sinful nature we resist the teaching of the Messiah, the Messiah who pays for our sin by dying on a cross. The Jews of Jesus' day sought a Messiah that would lead Israel back to political glory. But here again Christians generalize. Many Jews in Jesus day did await a Messiah who would save them from sin. The New Testament is full of Jewish people accepting that Jesus was the fulfillment of Scriptural prophecy.
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Luther's Tragic Mistake: Commentary on Parts 18-23
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