Christ predicted beforehand that the world would become so savage, coarse, greedy, and so on. Well then! That’s the way it is, and it is even going to get worse. that’s the way it was with Sodom in Lot’s day and worldwide at Noah’s time. All these things are told us for our comfort, warning, and learning, that we understand what it all means. The ill-bred masses do not know what it is all about; but we are to know and be on guard so that we do not fall in with them! Eat and drink we must, but in such a way that we do not encumber the heart, for all is contingent on the Lord’s coming and knowing that the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting lie in the future. If I am aware of that, then I can peacefully fall asleep, awaken, study, eat, or drink; and let Judgment Day come when it will, it cannot come too soon for me.
– Luther’s First House Postil for Advent 2
