In this way: The fulfillment of the promise and of the threat was in
the future. This delay is ordained in order that the wicked may fill
their measure of sin and may not be able to accuse God of having given
them no room for repentance. On the other hand, when the righteous
suffer at the hands of the unrighteous and become the servants of
servants, they undergo such trial and discipline for the purpose of
increasing in faith and in love toward God; so that, trained in
manifold vexations and tribulations, they may attain the promise.

When the time was fulfilled, the might of Ham's posterity was not
great enough to withstand the posterity of Shem. Then, indeed, was
fulfilled that curse which Ham and his posterity had so long despised
and disbelieved.

183. It is much the same with us today. We have the true doctrine and
the true worship. Hence we can boast that we are the true Church,
having the promise of spiritual blessings in Christ. As the pope's
church condemns our doctrine, we know her to be not the Church of
Christ but of Satan, and truly, like Ham, a "servant of servants." And
yet anyone may see that the pope rules, while we are servants and the
off-scouring, as Paul says (1 Cor 4, 12).

184. What, then, shall we poor, oppressed people do? We are to comfort
our souls meanwhile with our spiritual dominion. We know we have
forgiveness of sins and a gracious God, through Christ, until also
temporal freedom shall be vouchsafed on the last day. And we are not
without traces of temporal freedom even in this life; for while
tyrants stubbornly oppose the Gospel, they are cut off from the earth,
root and branch.

185. So was the Roman empire destroyed after all the other
world-powers perished; but God's Word and Church remain forever.
Likewise, Christ weakens the Pope's power, little by little; but that
he may be utterly removed and become a servant of servants with wicked
Ham is a matter for faith to await. Ham is shut out from the kingdom
of God and possesses the kingdoms of the world for a time, just as the
pope is shut out from the Church of God and holds temporal dominion
for a time. But his dominion shall vanish.

186. The divine law and order is that the righteous have dominion, but
by faith, being satisfied with such spiritual blessing as a gracious
God and the certain hope of the heavenly kingdom. Meanwhile, we leave
possession of the kingdoms of the world to the wicked until God shall
scatter also their