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The Church of God In Relations to The Marriage Union
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.
Look if you will at Jonah. This episode was principally used by God to
indicate the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (John
5:39; Matt. 12:39).
Even the Book of Job is used to show what Christ would be and how he would
suffer. God uses the
occasions of men, their laws, and nature itself to declare much of His own
actions and attributes (Psa.
19:1; Matt. 12:39; Rom. 1:19-20). If
we would look beyond ourselves and our own situations, we could see God
speaking plainly and openly about Himself.
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. []
