Guide to God, part 41/41: Appendix: Marriage
- From: "Beelzebull" <beelzebull@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2005 04:41:03 -0400
Guide to God, part 41/41: Appendix: Marriage
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Appendix: Marriage
Freedom And Covenant: God has given men the freedom to do
as they please. There is only one circumstance under which
the freedoms of a man are restricted: When he chooses to
obtain life eternal as prescribed by the LORD God, he is
obligated to live the remainder of his life in accordance
with the Law of God. One of God's laws is the law of
marriage.
Confusion: What is marriage? Man's definitions of words
tend to change from time to time and from place to place.
Man is free to define "marriage" as he pleases, but is his
definition valid? If a human government grants its citizens
licence to do a thing, is the licence valid? The licence is
certainly valid in the courts of said government. But will
the licence be valid in God's appointed Day of Judgement?
God has appointed a Day of Judgement in which all will be
judged according to His Standard. If you are a follower of
the LORD God and wish to ensure the validity of your union
in the Day of Judgement, it is imperative that you
understand and keep God's requirements for marriage, lest
you receive the judgement due an adulterer.
Marriage Defined: God has given His definition of marriage:
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
[Genesis 2:24] According to God, marriage is the lifelong
union of one man and one woman. However, man is free to
define "marriage" as he pleases; nevertheless, no one will
be judged by the word of man, but all will be judged and
sentenced in accordance with the word of God. Every union
not made in accordance with the law of God will be deemed
null and void in the Day of Judgement, and the participants
will be charged accordingly. If you wish to ensure the
validity of your marriage, marry in the name of the LORD God
the sole creator and only giver of absolute eternal law by
which all will be judged.
Separation Of State And Religion: Marriage has
traditionally been a religious institution of the union of
one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, but
the State is currently seeking to redefine marriage to
include homosexual unions. Should a secular State possess
the right and/or authority to redefine a religious ordinance
which existed prior to the foundation of said State? And if
the State should do such a thing, will the State then become
a de facto religious institution? For its own purposes, why
does the State not simply define a new relationship? Why
should the State feel it necessary to redefine an existing
religious ordinance? The objective of the State is to fund
itself through the extraction of resources from a productive
citizenry. By compromising the integrity of marriage
through the inclusion of unproductive unions, does the
State wish to destroy itself by undermining its own
foundation -- marriage and family?
Blessings And Success: All blessings come from the LORD
God. The blessings of God produce peace, success, and
happiness. God blesses all unions made in His name in
accordance with His law: "He who finds a wife finds a good
thing, and obtains favour from the LORD." [Proverbs 18:22]
However, God condemns homosexual unions as an abomination in
His sight; and God cannot bless that which He condemns: "If
a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them
have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to
death. Their blood shall be upon them." [Leviticus 20:13]
The primary purpose of marriage is to produce healthy
progeny within a stable environment of self-sacrifice
(love). The homosexual union is based on lust and self-
centredness, as is evident by its passion to pursue its
own desire rather than do the will of God: "Be fruitful
and multiply." [Genesis 1:28] The homosexual union is
fruitless, unhealthy, and leads to desolation. If left
unchecked, homosexuality will spread, corrupt, envelope,
and destroy any society which tolerates it.
Cloaked In The Law: While it is possible for homosexuals
to live unhindered lives, they instead choose to seek
special protection under the law, so that when people
finally realize just how destructive homosexuality is, the
homosexuals will be protected under the law, sanctioned by
the previously-ignorant State. Thus, the homosexual
agenda includes the coercion of the government into the
sanctioning, protection, and defence of their perverted,
unhealthy, desolate, destructive, and deadly lifestyle.
Guaranteeing Social Benefits: Although socialism is a great
evil, many governments practice it. Part of the homosexual
agenda is the guarantee of social support via the govern-
ment. This support is necessary because homosexuals cannot
support themselves; they cannot support themselves because
they do not receive blessings from God, since God cannot
bless that which He condemns as an abomination in His sight.
Nothing can prosper without God's blessing: "Unless the
LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it."
[Psalm 127:1]
Who Can Marry: From God's definition of marriage given in
Genesis 2:24, we can see that marriage is the lifelong union
between one man and one woman. Every union which is not
ordained and sanctified of God will be invalid in the Day of
Judgement, and those involved will be charged with sexual
immorality: "You shall not commit adultery."
[Exodus 20:14] Adultery is any sexual relation outside of
marriage; and marriage is between one man and one woman.
Penalty For Adultery: Adultery is sexual immorality. The
penalty for sexual immorality is death eternal: "But the
cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have
their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death." [Revelation 21:8] The "lake
of fire" is sometimes referred to as "hell". Contrary to
popular imagery, hell is not a place of everlasting fire and
torment; hell is absolute and permanent death, which is the
second death. The first death is the death of the flesh;
the second death is the death of the spirit. Everyone is
resurrected from the first death in order that they may be
judged; after judgement comes life eternal or death eternal
-- the second death, from which there is no resurrection.
If you believe in God but have committed adultery, God will
forgive you if you turn to Him in repentance. How do I
repent of adultery? By making this confession to God:
"LORD God, please forgive me for committing the sin of
adultery." Repentance is a free gift of God. The repentant
sinner will enter into life; but the unrepentant sinner will
die. We are all sinners and, were it not for the gift of
repentance, we would all die.
Why Marriage: Marriage is the lifelong union between one
man and one woman for their mutual benefit and for the
benefit of society. Not only does marriage prevent society
from falling into sexual anarchy, but it also preserves
society from the ravages of sexually-transmitted diseases.
Fidelity in marriage also prevents so-called "crimes of
passion"; and a happy marriage provides a suitable
environment for the production of strong, healthy, and wise
children, who are likely to become productive members of
society.
The Undefiled Bed: Not only is sexual intercourse a
physical experience, but it is also a communion of spirits.
Those who engage in sex outside of the sacred covenant of
marriage violate each other's spirit. Consider this: It
is the hope of the follower of God to obtain life eternal
in His presence, which is heaven; there are no strangers
in heaven; in heaven, everyone is known and everyone knows
everyone else. Therefore, can you imagine spending all
eternity in the presence of someone whom you have violated?
Nevertheless, God is willing to forgive all adulterers who
turn to Him in repentance. If you engage in sex outside
of marriage but desire to serve God instead of your flesh,
marry or abstain from sexual relations: "Marriage is
honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators
and adulterers God will judge." [Hebrews 13:4]
Validating Your Marriage: If you wish your marriage to be
valid in the Day of Judgement, your union must be made in
the name of the LORD God. It is my recommendation that
your marriage ceremony be performed by an elder follower of
the LORD God who has kept the Ten Commandments for at least
the previous twenty years of his life. See below for sample
text of a marriage ceremony. If you wish to use the below
ceremony, feel free to do so -- simply replace the titles
"Groom" and "Bride" with proper names.
[Begin: Wedding Ceremony]
[Wedding ceremony. Location: A place of worship dedicated
to the LORD God. Wedding guests are seated. Standing
before the Minister, from left to right, from the Minister's
point of view: Best Man, Groom, Bride, and Father of the
Bride.]
MINISTER: [speaking slowly and clearly] Dearly beloved:
We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in
the face of this company to join together this man and this
woman in holy matrimony, which is an honourable estate
instituted of God Himself; and is commended in holy writ to
be honourable among all men, and therefore is not by any to
be enterprised nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or
wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the
fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony
was ordained: First, it was ordained for the increase of
mankind according to the will of God, and that children
might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and
to the praise of His holy name; secondly, it was ordained
that the natural instincts and affections implanted by God
should be hallowed and directed aright, that those who are
called of God to this holy estate should continue therein in
pureness of living; thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual
society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the
other -- both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy
estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they may
not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else
hereafter forever hold his peace.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: [to Groom and Bride] I require and charge ye
both: As you will answer at the dreadful Day of Judgement,
when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if
either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully
joined together in matrimony ye do now confess it. For be
well assured that so many as are coupled together otherwise
than God's word doth allow are not joined together by God,
neither is their matrimony lawful.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: I beg your indulgence while I recite a few words
on love: Love is the only foundation of any fulfulling and
lasting relationship; and every marriage is an attempt to
find love. But what is love? Love is patient and kind;
love does not envy; love does not parade itself; love is not
arrogant; love does not behave rudely, is not selfish, is
not provoked, thinks no evil; love does not rejoice in
iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things,
hopes all things, endures all things; love never fails.
Love is expressed through the keeping of God's commandments:
He who loves keeps God's commandments; he who does not keep
God's commandments does not love, nor does he know God: for
God is love. Without love, I am nothing.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: Groom: Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded
wife; to live together according to God's law in the holy
estate of matrimony; wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour
and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all
others, keep thee only unto her so long as ye both shall
live?
GROOM: I will.
MINISTER: Bride: Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded
husband; to live together according to God's law in the holy
estate of matrimony; wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour
and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all
others, keep thee only unto him so long as ye both shall
live?
BRIDE: I will.
MINISTER: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
FATHER OF BRIDE: I do.
[Father of Bride takes Bride's right hand and offers it to
Minister, who receives it and gives it to Groom, who takes
it in his right hand, holding it. Note: the father of the
bride remains standing by her side; he does not retreat to
be seated with the guests.]
MINISTER: The groom will now repeat after me: I, Groom,
GROOM: I, Groom,
MINISTER: take thee, Bride,
GROOM: take thee, Bride,
MINISTER: to my wedded wife;
GROOM: to my wedded wife;
MINISTER: to have and to hold
GROOM: to have and to hold
MINISTER: from this day forward;
GROOM: from this day forward;
MINISTER: for better, for worse;
GROOM: for better, for worse;
MINISTER: for richer, for poorer;
GROOM: for richer, for poorer;
MINISTER: in sickness and in health;
GROOM: in sickness and in health;
MINISTER: to love, honour, and cherish
GROOM: to love, honour, and cherish
MINISTER: till death us do part.
GROOM: till death us do part.
MINISTER: According to God's holy law,
GROOM: According to God's holy law,
MINISTER: and thereto,
GROOM: and thereto,
MINISTER: I give thee my troth.
GROOM: I give thee my troth.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: The bride will now repeat after me: I, Bride,
BRIDE: I, Bride,
MINISTER: take thee, Groom,
BRIDE: take thee, Groom,
MINISTER: to my wedded husband;
BRIDE: to my wedded husband;
MINISTER: to have and to hold
BRIDE: to have and to hold
MINISTER: from this day forward;
BRIDE: from this day forward;
MINISTER: for better, for worse;
BRIDE: for better, for worse;
MINISTER: for richer, for poorer;
BRIDE: for richer, for poorer;
MINISTER: in sickness and in health;
BRIDE: in sickness and in health;
MINISTER: to love, honour, and obey
BRIDE: to love, honour, and obey
MINISTER: till death us do part.
BRIDE: till death us do part.
MINISTER: According to God's holy law,
BRIDE: According to God's holy law,
MINISTER: and thereto,
BRIDE: and thereto,
MINISTER: I give thee my troth.
BRIDE: I give thee my troth.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: May I have the ring to be given to the bride?
[The ring to be given to the bride is presented by the best
man to the minister, who places it in the palm of his left
hand.]
MINISTER: [holding his right hand over the ring] Bless,
O Lord, this ring which we hallow in thy name, that he who
gives it and she who wears it may abide in thy peace,
continue in thy favour, go on and grow old in thy love
through the Spirit of God our Eternal Father. [offering the
ring to the groom] The groom will now take this ring [the
groom takes the ring] and place it on the third finger of
the bride's left hand and, holding it there, [the groom
places the ring on the bride's finger, holding it there]
repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed;
GROOM: With this ring I thee wed;
MINISTER: with my body I thee honour;
GROOM: with my body I thee honour;
MINISTER: and all my wordly goods
GROOM: and all my wordly goods
MINISTER: with thee I share
GROOM: with thee I share
MINISTER: in the name of the LORD God.
GROOM: in the name of the LORD God.
MINISTER: Amen.
GROOM: Amen.
MINISTER: May I have the ring to be given to the groom?
[The ring to be given to the groom is presented to the
minister by the best man.]
MINISTER: [offering the ring to the bride] The bride will
now take this ring [the bride takes the ring] and place it
on the third finger of the groom's left hand and, holding
it there, [the bride places the ring on the groom's finger,
holding it there] repeat after me: This ring I give thee,
BRIDE: This ring I give thee,
MINISTER: in token and pledge,
BRIDE: in token and pledge,
MINISTER: of my constant faith
BRIDE: of my constant faith
MINISTER: and abiding love
BRIDE: and abiding love
MINISTER: in the name of the LORD God.
BRIDE: in the name of the LORD God.
MINISTER: Amen.
BRIDE: Amen.
MINISTER: [to the groom and bride] Please kneel in the
presence of God. [The groom and bride kneel.] O Eternal
Father, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all
spiritual grace; the author of everlasting life: Send thy
blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman,
whom we bless in thy name, that living faithfully together
they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant
betwixt them made, whereof the ring given and received is
a token and pledge. May they ever remain in perfect love
and peace together and live according to thy law through
the Spirit of God our Lord. Amen.
[Slight pause.]
MINISTER: [to the groom and bride] Please join your right
hands. [The groom and bride join their right hands; the
minister wraps the ceremonial scarf around their joined
hands.] Those whom God hath joined together let no man put
asunder. [The minister removes the scarf.] Forasmuch as
Groom and Bride have consented together in holy wedlock and
have witnessed the same before God and this company, and
thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other,
and have declared the same by giving and receiving of the
ring and by joining of hands, I pronounce that they be man
and wife together in the name of the LORD God. Amen.
[holding his right hand over their heads] The LORD God
our Eternal Father bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord
mercifully with His favour look upon you; and so fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace that ye may so
live together in this life that in the world to come ye
may receive life everlasting. Amen.
[Groom and Bride rise to their feet. Optional: Groom and
Bride may lawfully kiss.]
[Wedding Ceremony: End]
Portions copyright 2000 Arrant Knave.
Portions borrowed from traditional wedding ceremonies.
-----
The above is an excerpt from a currently-available book
which can be purchased at:
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.ca
Search "Books" for:
TITLE: "The Teenager's Guide to the Awesome God"
AUTHOR: "Arrant Knave"
ISBN: "1413755003"
-----
Excerpt from "The Teenager's Guide To The Awesome God"
Copyright 2000 Arrant Knave. All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are
taken from the New King James Version (R). Copyright (C)
1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
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