The Word of Truth Ministries
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I
Speak Concerning |
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Marriage is the
first and oldest institution ordained by God for man (Gen.
2:24). This was done
for a specific purpose that is greater than man. The marriage is a union
that symbolizes the eternal role of the church in relations to God. The
New Testament writer indicated that the Law (inclusive of the book of
Genesis) was a foreshadowing of that which would come (Hebrew
10: 1). In
Ephesians 5, Paul spoke of roles in marriage between the two
parties; he concluded by
quoting Genesis 2:24 and stated that this mystery he was speaking was
about the church and
Christ. The conversation
is of marriage. Paul used an analogy--one entity common to all is used
instead of another entity that would be uncommon to most. The reason for
its use is to clarify the entity that might be misunderstood. The analogy
is true in its details, but its truth or falsity is not of central
importance. Its primary purpose is to explain the other entity. This is
what the Apostle is doing in this Scripture. The primary meaning is
true, but the secondary meaning is the thrust of what he is saying.
Therefore, from Ephesians 5, we realize that the church is symbolized in
the marriage. Indeed, Paul says this in verse 32, "I speak concerning
Christ and the church". The Scriptures say that God was in
Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and since the church will become
one with Christ, through marriage, it will then function as Christ, the
Lamb of God, i.e., we will be the temple of God, (the tabernacle of God)
in which He dwells and moves and speaks. This is the mystery of this
vision! It should be remembered that no man has seen God at anytime, only
the Son, who has revealed Him. Therefore, we (the church) as the bride of
Christ will, and must now, bridge the gap between the invisible God and
mankind that needs to see a visible form. According
to the Scriptures, the Eternal Holy Spirit, God, was in the flesh of
Jesus bringing the world to Himself (John
4:24, 2 Cor. 5:19, Heb. 10:20). This body that
housed the Spirit was the Sonship of God, or more Biblically, the Son of
God. Note, this purpose was to bring men to God. This body of Christ
was/is the temple of God and for that reason Paul said the fullness of the
Godhead bodily dwelt in Him (Col.
2:9). Yet, Paul also
said that we are the temple of God, for we are the body of Christ
(1 Cor.
16; 1 Cor. 12:27; 1 Cor. 6:15). Therefore, our
function must be as His function was. As the bride of Christ, the Lamb of
God, we will become one flesh with Him. Therefore, we will then be
as He is. Since the marriage
union symbolizes the church's present and particularly its future role
with God, it is interesting to analyze the scriptural causes for divorce
between two married people. I am more than well aware that there are those
who honestly contend that the Bible affords no such grounds. However, I
simply beg to differ with them on this matter. The subject becomes
extremely emotional because it deals with one or two of the basic human
drives: sex and the need for companionship. I am not concerned about these
drives now. For those who
vehemently argue that there are no grounds for divorce delineated in
Scripture, I say that they must argue as vehemently that once one has been
saved he can never backslide; the two arguments are the same. Yet, most
students of Scriptures know that one can backslide although he has become
a Christian or saint, etc. According to
scriptures, there are two causes for divorce: 1.) Adultery and 2.) an
unbeliever divorces a believer without the believer prompting the
unbeliever to do so (Matt.
5 :32, 1 Cor 7: 15 ). Now these are
literal causes for termination of the marriage union. Yet these causes go
beyond their primary meaning to God's spiritual meaning. Remember, Paul
said he spoke of the church when talking of the marriage (Eph.
5:32). God's word
usually transcends a single meaning (2
Peter 1:20). If one has been
saved from his sin and goes back to that sin, the sin becomes a barrier
between God and that person (Isa,
59:2; 2 Peter 2:22). This may be
equated to having married, then committing adultery. It brings a wedge
between the two parties. The third person acts as that wedge. Likewise,
sin acts as the third party in this case. It severs the God-saint
relationship and cements a sinner-Satan relationship. It drives God out of
this temple, and it invites that third party Satan into it. Remember, we
determine the actions that go on in the temple. Likewise, if a
believer is married to an unbeliever, i.e., married to her before he was
saved by grace, and she decides to divorce him for no reason that he has
caused, other than his moral conversation or for some reason of her own,
he is not bound to her by law, as Paul describes in Romans 7, because she
left him. Notice that she departed and he was faithful to her as long as
she remained. So it is with Christ. As long as one remains in the church,
God is faithful to him. But if he consciously goes out and severs his
church ties, God may give him up to a reprobated mind to do those
things that are unspeakable because when he had the knowledge of God, he
decided against serving Him as God.
(Rom 1:28-30; John 14:14;
15:7). However, as long
as the husband and wife do not violate the codes of behavior which govern
their marriage, they are bound to each other so long as the two live
(Romans 7:2). Not only that, but both of them are one (Genesis
2: 24; Rom 7: 2). This speak I,
said Paul, of the church (Eph. 5: 32). Marvelous assurances we have in the
power and love of God! As long as we remain faithful to Him, He will be
faithful to us in the supplying of all of our needs (Lev. 26:21,23; Eph.
3: 20). The
marriage was instituted to symbolize God's relationship to the church.
Because that relationship is so important, God has developed the most
stringent rules for determining if and/or when a marriage relationship can
be ended. And those rules relate directly to the church (Eph.
5: 32). The
marriage is to be a permanent union, symbolizing the permanency of the
church to God. The Scriptures
say, so shall we ever be with the Lord and that we shall rule with
Him (Dan.
7: 28 and I Thes. 4: 17). Jesus said that the Scriptures
testified of Him (John 5:39). Yet many of the Scriptures have meanings,
which we do not readily see as relating to Him. However, if we can get beyond the
narrowness of the Scriptures' immediate application, we can see the
broader meaning. Now that we understand some of the symbolism involved in the marriage union, let us explore a little deeper into this relationship. When the bride and groom unite, they become one flesh (Gen. 2:24). This union will occur at the marriage of the Lamb after the rapture of the church. Presently, the church is engaged to marry the Lamb and is preparing herself for that wedding day (Rev. 19: 7; I John 3: 3). When this union occurs--marriage of the Lamb to the church--the church will become one flesh with the Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ! This is a crucial truth for understanding the rest of this text and some scriptures that are very difficult to understand. Once this union has occurred, it will continue throughout the ages. The church will not be unequally yoked with Christ (1 Thes. 4:17; II Cor. 6:14). This is an important truth in understanding Daniel 7: 9--12; Rev. 21; and I Cor. 15:24. [] Continue for more | |
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