Divorce - The Biblical Perspective

In my last blog The Sanctity of Marriage we learned that ‘Monogamy is God’s order; one man with one wife, until death breaks the marriage bond.’  Divorce also breaks the marriage bond between a man and a woman. It is legally binding.

Collins concise dictionary defines divorce as:

1.       The legal dissolution of marriage.

2.       A judicial decree declaring a marriage to be dissolved.

3.       A separation, esp. One that is total or complete.

Matthew 19:5, 6 tell us, (5) “...’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ (6) So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Divorce, the legal dissolution of a marriage is not God’s will.

The Pharisees in Matthew 19:3 asked the Lord Jesus Christ this question.

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason? We already have the answer in verses 5 and 6 above.

The Pharisees then asked Him another question. Matthew 19:7, “...Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”

The Lord Jesus’ answer is found in verses 8 and 9. “(8)...Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. (9) And I say to you whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

What is adultery? Collins concise Dictionary states that it is, ‘Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man or woman and partner other than the legal spouse’

1.       The act of adultery breaks the marriage bond. It is illicit sexual intercourse. The person creating a sexual union with someone who is not their spouse has in effect dissolved their marriage. This illicit act is in violation of God’s “one flesh” union of the married couple. It is a breakdown of the family unit.

2.       The Lord Jesus informed the Pharisees that if they divorced their wife for any other reason than adultery; and they married another woman – they were committing adultery! If the divorced wife married again – her new husband was guilty of adultery!

3.       So even if the married couple were not unfaithful to each other; if they were divorced and subsequently married new partners – they would commit adultery!

This is a solemn and serious warning! “...what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In Deuteronomy chapter 24 more instructions are given about divorce. If a man divorced his wife, he gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. If she then marries another man; her original husband was not allowed to remarry his former wife if her new husband died or divorced her.

Deuteronomy 24:4, “Then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord...”

Divorce is a breakdown of the family unit. This is not God’s will, nor is it in the best interests of any society, or nation. It is always the children of divorced parents who suffer! Look at the mess we have in our so called Western democracies. High divorce rates everywhere. People don’t even bother to get married, and just live together out of wedlock. Governments, in attempts to find quick fixes often make the situation worse. Sexual morals sink lower and lower.

Don’t think that God has turned a blind eye to all of this. Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Hebrews 9:27, “...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.”

Are you caught up in any of this morass? Are you involved with sexual immorality? Such things as pre-marital sex, casual sex, one night stands, adultery, same sex liaisons, or other even more debasing and degrading acts; God will judge every single defiling occurrence! 

God is willing to forgive you and save you from your wicked ways. If you are willing to take God at His word; if you are willing to turn your back on your way of life – you can be saved! The very fact that you are a sinner qualifies you for God’s offer of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:14, 15 states, “(14) And as Moses lifted up the servant in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  The Lord Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross at Calvary on your behalf to pay the price of your sins.

He is willing to save you just as you are, just where you are – right now!

Jon Peasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version]

The Sanctity of Marriage

Collins Concise Dictionary defines marriage as:

1.       The state or relationship of being husband and wife.

2.       The legal union or contract made by a man and woman to live as husband and wife.

3.       The ceremony formalising this union; wedding.

Collins Concise Dictionary defines sanctity as:

1.       The condition of being sanctified; holiness.

2.       Anything regarded as being sanctified or holy.

3.       The condition of being inviolable: the sanctity of marriage.

Where do we find the origin of marriage? Where else, but in the Bible!

Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:21-24 tell us, (21) “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. (22) Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. (23) And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.’ (24) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

The very first marriage union was between Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:20, “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” God instituted marriage at the commencement of the human race! Adam and Eve were husband and wife before they sinned in the Garden of Eden.

Let’s consider verse 24 again. If a man desires a wife we are told he “...shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife...” In other words he is to start his own family unit. “...and they shall become one flesh.” God no longer sees a man and his wife just as individuals, but as “one flesh”. In God’s sight the married couple are inseparable. They are one; two parts of one whole.

Monogamy is God’s order; one man with one wife, until death breaks the marriage bond.

Polygamy, a man with more than one wife, is not God’s order.

Polyandry, a woman with more than one husband, is not God’s order.

Many instances of polygamy, a man with more than one wife, can be found in the Old Testament. These are all instances of man doing his own thing with no regard to the will of God.

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mark chapter 19 answers a question on divorce. (4) “And he answered them and said to them, ‘Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning, “made them male and female,” (5) and said “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”.’ (6) So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

When a man and a woman legally become husband and wife they become “one flesh” in God’s eyes. He blesses that marriage union; it is now inviolable in God’s sight.

Any children of this marriage are recognised as legitimate heirs of the parents.

Next blog we will look at the Biblical perspective on divorce.

Jon Peasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version]

The Big Bang - Theory or Not?

First let us consider what a theory is. Collins concise Dictionary gives us the following definitions.

1.       A system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result.

2.       Abstract knowledge or reasoning.

3.       A conjectural view or idea.

4.       An ideal or hypothetical situation.

5.       A set of hypotheses related by logical or mathematical arguments to explain a wide variety of phenomena in general terms.

6.       A non-technical name for hypothesis.

Now looking at these definitions I see a theory (not reality) is based on assumptions, conjecture and hypothetical arguments. So where does reality come into the picture?

Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia tells us, “The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model of the early development of the universe. The major premise of the Big Bang theory is that the universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state that expanded rapidly (a “Big Bang”). This rapid expansion caused the young universe to cool and resulted in its continuously expanding state.”

So according to the scientists that hold this theory as being true; the universe somehow was in a primitive form and suddenly there was a “Big Bang” resulting in a rapidly expanding universe. Sounds a bit far fetched to me!

Let’s get down to the real crux of the matter. This is another attempt of mankind to explain away God as the Creator of the universe. It’s the blind leading the blind into a ditch.

God’s word revealed to us in the holy Bible starts with these words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  (Genesis 1:1). God does not leave us in the dark; the first words in the first book of the Bible clearly state that God is the Creator of the universe! It does not leave room for error; “In the beginning God...” God was there in the beginning of our Space – Matter – Time universe. He created it!

What does the book of Romans in the New Testament reveal about early mankind?

Romans 1:17-25, (17) “...the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four- footed animals and creeping things. (24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Is modern man any better? Of course not! You can believe that you descended from apes if you like. You can believe that you die and come back as a fly or a mosquito if you like. You can believe that when you die you go into oblivion. That’s what Satan wants you to believe!  “Professing to be wise they became fools.” Psalms 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.”

You know the Bible tells us about a Big Bang, but it is not a theory, it is reality.

2 Peter 3:10-13, (10) “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

God sent a universal flood in Noah’s time in judgement. Next time it will be the real “Big Bang”. Noah and his family were safe because Noah obeyed God.

What about you? Are you trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Saviour? Will you be safe for all eternity? Will you be part of the new heavens and the new earth? Or, have you decided to go to hell and the lake of fire?

There is no such thing as ‘sitting on the fence’ waiting to decide. You are either saved, or you are not saved! You have no guarantee that you will see another sunrise!

Jon Peasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version]

The Origin of Hell

What is hell?

Collins Concise Dictionary defines hell as:

       1. (a) [Christianity] The place of or state of eternal punishment of the wicked after death.

     (b) Forces of evil residing there.

2.   [In various religions and cultures] the abode of the spirits of the dead.

The Old Testament uses two words to describe hell, Sheol and Gehenna. Collins Concise Dictionary defines the words as:

Sheol

1.      The abode of the dead.

2.      Hell

.

Gehenna

1.      {Old Testament] The valley below Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed, and later unclean things were burnt

2.      [New Testament] Judaism.

A place where the wicked are punished after death.

3.      A place or state of pain and torment.

(From the Hebrew  Ge Hinnom: The valley of Hinnom – a symbol of hell.)

The Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew gives us a very clear indication of hell.

§  Matthew 10:28 “...fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.”

§  Matthew 13:42 “...the furnace of fire...wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

§  Matthew 18:8 “...cast into the everlasting fire.”

§  Matthew 18:9 “...to be cast into hell fire.” [the hell of fire].

§  Matthew 23:3 “...the condemnation of hell...”

There are references to hell in the gospels of Mark and Luke. For instance in Mark 9:43, “...to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.” [unquenchable fire].

Obviously, hell is the place of eternal punishment. This fact gives us the basis of our quest for the origin of hell. Punishment is usually the result of transgression and disobedience. This leads us to the question. Who was hell first designated for?

In my last blog the Origin of Sin we established that sin was in the universe before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

The Lord Jesus Christ gives us the answer in Matthew 25:41, “Then He will say to those on His left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’.” Hell was originally prepared for Satan and Satan’s angels! God is in control of hell, not Satan or Satan's angels! When Satan is in hell he will be completely stripped of all power!

But be warned! Isaiah 5:14 tells us that, “...Sheol has enlarged itself and opened its mouth beyond measure...” I always picture a snake dislocating its jaws in order to swallow something much larger.

Are hell and the lake of fire really where you want to end up? If your name is not found in the Book of Life; this is where you will spend eternity. Why has God warned us about hell and the lake of fire? Because He doesn’t want us to end up there!

2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord...is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

 Acts 17:30, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

John 3:16-18 tell us, (16) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

You know the origin and purpose of hell. Don’t end up there!

Jon Peasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version]