The Spirit of Elijah

 

The Spirit of Elias 

Luke 1:16-17:

¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Elijah means – Yahweh is my God

So, what is the spirit and power of Elias?  From where does this spirit and power arise?  What is the effect of releasing this spirit and power of Elias on the children of Israel?  How does one obtain this spirit and power of Elias?  When will this spirit and power of Elias be released?  Who will receive this spirit and power of Elias? Why will this power be released?  Here we ask all the necessary questions to create a story, who, what, when, why, where and how. 

To understand the spirit and power of Elias, we must understand the story and meaning of Elias.  The bible identifies Elijah as “the Tishbite of the inhabitants of Gilead”.  What is a Tishbite?  Well, it could mean that Elijah was born or resided in the land of Tishbite, or it could mean that he was a resident alien among the inhabitants of Gilead.  Strong’s Concordance states that the word Tishbite could actually mean dweller, not a native of Gilead, but rather a resident alien of it.  We cannot know for sure.  Although interesting, it is not the focus of the verse.

1 Kings 17:1 - And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said

unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

What is important is that this “resident alien” from Gilead, goes before the King of Israel, to give him a message from the God of Heaven, that there would be no rain or dew for three years.  Remember, if Strong’s Concordance has the correct definition of Tishbite, then Elijah has no rights of citizenship in Israel, no due process of law, no protection by the law.  He is going before the King of Israel, without the protection of citizenship.  Do not forget, Ahab is the same King whose wife murdered a citizen, to steal his vineyard.  This was a corrupt monarch, who cared nothing for his people.  This act was no small task, and required faith.  

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Mathew 10:18-20 -

¹⁸ And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Luke 21:12

¹² But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Does this mean that the spirit and power of Elijah might mean that we have to go before the corrupt leaders of this fallen word and testify of the “Will of God”? I think it might.  Does this mean that the spirit and power of Elias will enable God’s remnant to have “the spirit of prophesy”?

Next, we find that God commands Elijah to go and hide at the brook of Cherrith, where the ravens fed him every morning and evening.  Cherrith, is referred in Hebrew as nahal, which means, a seasonal stream, one which dries up when there are no heavy rains.  You see, it was not meant for Elijah to remain hiding from Ahab in Cherrith for the three years. 

Luke 21:20-22

²⁰ And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

²¹ Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

²² For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

So, does this mean that the spirit and power of Elias will cause God’s people to flee from so called civilization?  Does this mean that God’s people will have to completely depend upon God for their substance?  I believe so.

Next, we find Elijah is ordered to leave Cherrith and go to Zaraphath, where a specific woman, designated by God would sustain him.  So, Elijah obeys.  He finds this woman, collecting wood for the fire, for her and her son’s last meal.  Elijah asks the woman for a cake, but she explains the situation, she has nothing to offer him, she only has enough flour and oil to make herself, and her son their last meal before

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they both starve.  Elijah says to her, give me a cake first, and your flour, nor your oil shall fail you.  She obeys.  For the remainder of the three-year drought, the barrel of meal, and the cruse of oil, never run out. 

1 King 17:12-14

¹² And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

¹³ And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

¹⁴ For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. 

So, does this mean, that the spirit and power of Elijah will require God’s people to be a blessing to those who are yet to become children of God, and the world?  I believe so. 

John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Does the spirit and power of Elisha give God’s believing people, the ability to cause spiritual supernatural signs and wonders?  I believe so.  God has bestowed upon every one of His children, special talents in order to help His church, leading up to, and thru the time of trouble. 

Next, we find Elijah, ordered of God to return and shew himself to Ahab, and he obeys.  Remember, by now Ahab hated Elijah and had attempted to hunt him down for three years, in every country.  Ahab then calls Obadiah, the governor of Ahab’s house, so that they could search for grass for the animals.  They divide the land and each searched in a different direction.  Now just who is Obadiah? 

1 Kings 18:4

(Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: 

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⁴ For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 

Who is Obadiah?  The Bible says that he feared the Lord greatly.  Therefore, Obadiah was a man of tremendous faith.  He loved the Lord so much, that he was willing to commit treason against his mortal king, in order to serve his Heavenly King.  The bible goes on to say that Obadiah refused to let the true religion of God pass away, in that he hides the last hundred prophets of God.  He then goes on to feed them bread, and water, exactly what Elijah had eaten in hiding.  So, Obadiah is God’s human raven. 

So, does this mean that the spirit and power of Elisha mean, that, God’s people will “keep”, protect God’s Law and Word?  Will the remnant, be called upon to protect the original religion?  I believe so.  To keep God’s Law does not mean to do, it means to so much more.  To keep one must first understand its meaning and purpose.  Next, to keep one must develop a loving relationship with what is being kept.  Finally, to keep, one must protect, that which is being kept, even to the death.  Therefore, keeping God’s Law, is not an action (doing), it is a state of mind.

Revelation 3:2

² Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (watchful & strengthen = protect)

Exodus 19:5-6

⁵ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (obey & keep = protect)

1 Kings 18:7-8

⁷ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?

⁸ And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

So, does this mean that in the spirit and power of Elisha, God’s remnant people will have a way of recognizing one another, even though they never met?  Does this mean that God’s people will have a duty to herald the coming of someone very special?  I believe so. 

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Revelation 14:6-11

⁶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

⁷ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

⁸ And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

⁹ And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

¹⁰ The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest (Sabbath) day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Next, we find Elijah, before Ahab, making a religious challenge.  He commands Ahab, the king, to summon all the people of Israel to Carmel, and Ahab, the king obeys.  Why did the king obey a man who was not even a citizen?  He recognized who this man Elijah was, and just who he represented.  Remember, three years earlier, Elijah had come before Ahab, in the name of the true King of Israel, and prophesied that there would be three years of famine, and there was exactly three years of famine.  There must have been some fear in Ahab’s mind after the statement below was made.

1 Kings 18:17-18

¹⁷ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

¹⁸ And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou (Ahab), and thy father's house (Jezebel), in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim (Paganism).

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So, does that mean that spirit and power of Elias means that when protecting God’s truth, we might have to challenge those who would attack or oppose it?  I believe so, that is why, as we read above, we will be brought before rulers and kings, as a testimony against them.  That is why we will be hated of men for God’s sake. 

Now we find Elijah at Mount Carmel, with the King, the four-hundred-fifty priests of Baal, four-hundred priests of Ashtoreth (groove worshipers) and the people of Israel.  Now he makes a challenge to the priests, and the people.  Here we find that paganism rules the land of Israel, and God’s people are in hiding.  Is it possible that the spirit and power of Elias will cause God’s people to be separated from the world, physically and spiritually?  I believe so. 

Revelation 18:4

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (separate spiritually & physically)

Jeremiah 51:45

45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord.  (separate spiritually & physically)

1 Kings 18:21

²¹ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.  (pick a side or get the mark of the beast in the hand)

Revelation 3:15-16

¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (pick a side or get the mark of the beast in the hand) 

So Elijah allows the pagan priest to choose which bullock they desire to sacrifice.  When given a choice, we usually choose the biggest, best, most worthy, so most likely this is the one they chose.  They then cut up the bullock.  They placed the wood on the alter, then the sacrifice.  Then from morning to the time of the evening sacrifice, the pagan priests called upon their god, the storm god, Baal, to send fire

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from heaven.  It did not happen, so the priest start jumping on the alter, on top of the sacrifice, screaming and yelling, and still no fire.  Then the priest start cutting themselves as a form of self-sacrifice, in an attempt to appease their gods, but to no avail. 

Elijah starts to mock the priest by teasing them to yell louder, perhaps their god is asleep.  The priests continue their gruesome ritual until the time of the evening sacrifice.  Then Elijah calls the people around him, and they comply.  He then restores the broken down alter of God by placing twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel, one upon the other and says, “Israel shall be thy name.”  Next, he builds a trench around the alter, and lays the wood, followed by the sacrifice on the alter.  Then, he drenches the sacrifice, wood, alter and trench with water three times so that everything is soaked.  Finally, Elijah calls upon God to send the fire from heaven as a sign of acceptance of the sacrifice (resurrection of Israel). 

1 King 18:37-38

³⁷ Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again (restored).

³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench (complete acceptance).

So, does this mean that the spirit and power of Elisha will cause God’s people to worship in a manner different form the world, in a manner of reverence and respect, and not of a manner that is of their own choosing and grotesque?  I believe so.  The manner of worship will be one of the defining characteristics of the remnant church, and the Sabbath will become a principal that separates those who worship God, from those who worship paganism. 

After this confrontation between Jehovah and his man, against Baal and Ashtoreth and their eight-hundred-fifty men, we find that the people realize that they have been duped.  Elijah commands the people to seize the false prophets and take them down to the Kishon River.  Why the Kishon, is there something special about this body of water? 

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1 King 18:40

⁴⁰ And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

The answer to the question is yes.  You see, it was at the Kishon river where the Prophetess Deborah prophesied about the defeat of the Canaan army of Sissera.  It is also where Israel sang the song of celebration for washing away the enemy of Israel, the army of Sissera.

Judges 4:6-7

⁶ And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

⁷ And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 

Kishon River is where Israel washed away her enemies.  Here the enemies of Israel, and God, were the pagan priests.  Therefore, the people, realizing this, turn against the priests, and killed them.  Will there be a time in the last days when the world will realize that false ministers have led them astray, and will there be consequences to these men for knowingly doing it?

Revelation 18:9-10

⁹ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

¹⁰ Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Now the followers of Babylon are starting to understand the come out of her my people, lest you suffer of her consequences, but it is too late.  

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After the victory over the false religions, we find Elijah at the top of Mount Carmel.  He is in prostrate position, before Yahweh.  He prays for the rain and waits for it.  He has his servant look to the sea seven times.  On the seventh, his servant sees a small little cloud, like a man’s hand.  This is significant because when Christ comes again, there too will be a small cloud, like a man’s hand, which will eventually fill the skies, and every eye shall witness it.  Eventually this small cloud filled the skies over Israel.  Elijah sends his servant to find Ahab and tell him to go home quick, or the rain will overtake him, so he does.

1 Kings 18:43-44

⁴³ And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

⁴⁴ And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.

So does the spirit and power of Elias mean that God’s people will have to believe and prepare for the latter rain, followed by the second coming of Christ.  Must Christ’s people be Adventist, awaiting the great advent?  I believe so. 

Conclusion:

Therefore, the spirit and power of Elias is many things, causes many things, and leads to many things.  First, it makes God’s remnant witnesses against the worldly.  Second, the gift of prophesy is derived from it.  Third, it will separate the God’s children from the world.  Fourth, it will make Israel completely dependent upon Yahweh.  Fifth, it will give some of Jehovah’s followers, supernatural abilities.  Sixth, it will cause the world to be blessed thru the Almighty’s children.  Seventh, it will cause a desire and duty to protect God’s word.  Eighth, we will be able to recognize on another thru our love for one another.  Nineth, we will have a desire for truth, and we will oppose all that is false.  Tenth, it will cause God’s family to worship with reverence and complete obedience.  Lastly, the hearts of the fathers (God) will return the children, the church. 

 

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Is protecting Marriage important to Christianity? Should we Defend It?

 

 

Is protecting Marriage important to Christianity?  Should we Defend It?

Marriage Definition –

A.     Webster’s Definition –

1.      the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law

2.      the mutual relation of married persons – Wedlock – the state of being married

3.      the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

a.      Institution - a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture

4.      an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected – to cause something to be put into being, or power to bring about a result

5.      an intimate or close union

B.     Marriage as defined by the Common Law – Legally speaking, marriage is a contract made in conjunction with the law, where a free man and a free woman reciprocally engage to live with each other during their joint lives, in the union which ought to exist between husband and wife.  By the terms, freeman and freewoman in this definition are meant, not only that they are free and not slaves, but also that they are clear of all bars to a lawful marriage.

1.      Bars to Lawful Marriage

a.       Consent – a mutual acceptance of the terms of the marriage contract, Force

b.      Capacity to consent

                                                                          i.      Age – Males > 14 Females > 12 or with parental consent

                                                                        ii.      Mental – inability to understand or perform the terms of the contract

                                                                      iii.      Mistake -

                                                                       iv.      Trick - Fraud

c.       Exception to consent

                                                                          i.      Previous Marriage – Polygamy

                                                                       ii.      Consanguinity – no closely related family members

                                                                     iii.      Impotency – must have existed at time of marriage and remain incurable (goes to purpose of marriage)

                                                                      iv.      Adultery – once convicted of adultery, no longer marry  

C.     Common Law Marriage – no particular ceremony to validate a celebration of marriage. The consent of the parties is all that is necessary because marriage is a contract and is all that is needful by natural or public law.

1.      Clergyman not required to be present to give validity to marriage

2.      Declaration of Consent – magistrate, witnesses

3.      Inference of Consent – consent thru customs and actions

D.    Biblical Definition of Marriage –

1.      Genesis 1:26-28 & Genesis 2:18 – Purpose of Marriage

2.      Genesis 2:21-24 – Meaning of Marriage

Purpose of Marriage –

                Genesis 1:26-28 –

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 

Genesis 2:18 – And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Note:  

Above, we find that God refers to himself in both the singular (him & he) and the plural (us & our).  Since we know that God is all knowing, and the Creator of all things, including language, we can assume that there is no mistake in the translation.  Additionally, there exists no difference between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles pertaining to these scriptures.  Therefore, we find evidence that God exists in the singular form and the plural, this is evidence for the notion of the Trinity, separate but equal entities who are indivisible. 

We find that God is the actual Creator of all.  This idea of Creator infers to God ownership and authority over that which He has created.  As the Creator, God has a unique perspective, understanding and appreciation (love) over all that He creates.

Man is also defined in the singular (him) and plural (them), this agrees with the statement that we were created in the image of God, to exist as both singular and plural.  This union made “Man” unique over all the creatures, for it created equality between man and woman, and inferred a dominion for them over all earthly creation.  Later sin would change the status that God intended for them.

Therefore, we can see that the purpose of this union, between man and woman, was companionship, procreation, dominion, and to portray the image of God (Trinity).  Replenish – to fill with persons or stock.

            Definition of Marriage –

            Genesis 2:21-24 –

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto 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 shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  

Note:

Here we find that God created woman, Eve, from the rib of man, Adam.  It is not clear why God chose the rib, perhaps it is the function of the rib, to protect or keep the heart. 

Adam recognizes that Eve is of himself, and this influences the name bestowed upon her, woman (of man).  It is this same knowledge as parents, first seeing their children, which causes a special attraction to them.  It instills in the parents a need to keep these children, and to love them.  The children are the image of the parents, and this creates a special bond between them.  Just as “Man” is the image of God, and this creates a special bond for the Almighty toward his children.  We see ourselves in our children.   Therefore, procreation leads to the formation of an image, and this creates a unique bond.

Comparison of Marriage Definitions:

1.      Webster’s Definition

a.       State of being that is recognized by law, with consent and willingness to be bound, able to enter into marriage, capacity.  This requires an authority figure to recognize the marriage, and a means to enforce it.

                                                              i.      Deity – God is the authority and enforcement

                                                            ii.      Mankind – as authority and enforcement

1.      Church

2.      Civil

b.      A relationship between people who are already married – already have consent, willingness to be bound, and capacity.

c.       Practice, relationship, customs that determine the means of consent, acceptance and capacity.  “Common Law Marriage” not Marriage as defined in the Common Law.

                                                              i.      Varies based on the authority that dictates it, and the means of enforcement.

d.      The act of marriage, based upon the right to do so,

                                                              i.      Right is based upon the authority and enforcement (established principals)  

1.      Deity

2.      Mankind

a.       Church

b.      Civil

e.       Union that is intimate or close relationship

                                                              i.      Requires no authority

                                                            ii.      Vague definition of enforcement

Who or What establishes marriage? 

Note:  As we have established, the definition of marriage is dependent upon who or what decides the parameters of marriage, and how such established principals are enforced.  As bible-based Christians (Protestants) we only recognize God as both the Authority behind marriage, and the Enforcer to protect it.  Mark 10:6-9 - ⁶ But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. ⁷ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; ⁸ And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  Here only God establishes who (one man with one woman) can be married, and the means to create and maintain marriage (love).  As the Creator of both mankind and marriage itself, the Creator holds the only authority to dictate who and how marriage may actually occur.  Here he clearly states that marriage is between one man and one woman, and he establishes in His bible the manner that those united in marriage must act, and the only manner of dissolution.  Mathew 19:7-9 - ⁷ They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? ⁸ He (Jesus) saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. ⁹ And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.   Under God’s precepts, marriage was eternal, special, and existed only between husband and wife.  It was the evil in man’s heart, sin, that caused the changes to marriage.

Why is marriage no longer as it was established?  What are the consequences of changing the doctrines of marriage?  When was the last time in history when marriage reflected what the world recognizes marriage to be today?

Marriage Law – Genesis 3:16 -  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.     

Note:  Before sin, marriage existed as husband and wife living as equals.  Because of sin, so that humanity would remember the costs of sin (separation), God placed the woman under the man.  In doing so, Christ created distinct responsibilities of the man to his family.  Over the years, great abuse, that God never intended was created by false interpretation of this law.  As a consequence, this Marriage Law has been under attack from its inception.  In America, we saw suppression of women, by men without scruples, even to the extent of the Salem Witch Trials.  As a result of this abuse, women became disenfranchised with marriage, and began movements against the traditional views and marriage itself.  Marriage was under attack by the women’s movement.

When humankind establishes the its authority and its enforcement of marriage, marriage becomes as variable as the number of stars in the heavens.  There can even exist a state where no authority and no means of enforcement, negating the marriage itself.  No longer must it be one man married to one woman, it can be essentially anything:

1.      Polygamy – multiple partners

2.      Homosexuality – partners of the same sex (Paganism)

3.      Bestiality – marriage to animal, assumes that humans are also animals, Animalism.

4.      Married to Objects or Nature (Paganism)

5.      Direct marriage to a deity – Human married to a Deity yielding a demi-god (Paganism)

6.      No marriage at all – Hedonism

It becomes apparent that the authority behind the law, and manner of enforcement to maintain the principals of marriage are paramount in preserving its manner and function.  With marriage is inferred the right of sex.  As mankind’s hearts become evil continually, his search for self-pleasure grows.  He begins to dismantle any barriers, regardless of cost to self of others, that keep him from reaching his desired goal.  Genesis 6:5-6 - ⁵ And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  ⁶ And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.   Mathew 24:37-39 - ³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  ³⁸ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, ³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.   Marriage is under attack by society or humanism.  The act of changing the God’s Marriage Law, either in practice or principal is to create one’s own laws.  These laws are never consistent, never fair, and they cause confusion and insecurity.

The last time in recorded history, where marriage was defined in such loose terms as today, was not Sodom and Gomorrah, it was the days of Noah.  Therefore, Mathew 24 is telling us that we are in the last days of this Earth.

Is protecting Marriage important to Christianity?

As children of God, we are called upon to be a peculiar people.  We are not to be followers of humanity, but followers of Christ.  Christ, on many occasions taught that true love of God is reflected in our willingness to be obedient to Him.  Anyone who attempts to change God’s word, even by a microscopic deviation, is no longer a follower, but a creator of something new.  As a creator, he or she becomes their own god.  Revelations warn of the consequences of placing oneself in this position.  Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: ¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

As stated above, with marriage is inferred the right of natural sex.  As defined by God, Natural Sex is sex between a married husband (male) and wife (female).  Any form outside these established parameters are defined as unnatural sex, or an Abomination.  Unnatural sex is an abomination because it does not fulfill the reasons why God created marriage, union between a man and a woman, companionship, procreation, dominion, and to portray the image of God.

1.      Unmarried man or woman unnatural sex– although this relationship may create companionship, and may lead to procreation, it definitely does not create a union between a specific man and a specific woman, it does not portray the image of God (it is against His Sex Laws), and therefore it does not create the God given dominion.  Read Leviticus 20

2.      Homosexuality unnatural sex – although this relationship may create companionship, it can never lead to procreation, it cannot create a union between a specific man and a specific woman, it does not portray the image of God (it is against His Sex Laws), it cannot create dominion.

Additionally, the modern view of evolution, does not support the notion of Homosexuality, since it does not add to the variety of the gene pool.  Homosexuality serves no function in the realm of God, nor nature.   Leviticus 20:13 - If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

3.      Bestiality unnatural sex - this relationship can never create human companionship, it can never lead to procreation, it can never create a union between a specific man and a specific woman, it can never portray the image of God (it is against His Sex Laws), humans were intended to have dominion over animal.  Leviticus 18:23 - Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

4.      Married to objects or Nature – this relationship cannot create any form of companionship, it will never lead to procreation, it cannot create a union between one specific man and one specific woman, it will never portray the image of God,

5.      Married to an idol of gods – God states that idols and false gods are incapable of relationships of any type.  Deuteronomy 4:28 - And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.   

It was the wickedness of man’s hearts that lead to the attack of God’s Marriage Law, in the time of Moses, that created the institution of divorce.  It was the wickedness of man’s and woman’s hearts that lead to the Feminist movement and attack of God’s Marriage Law.  It was the hedonistic search for pleasure that lead mankind to search for unnatural sex, and attack God’s Marriage Law.  It is all this that has lead us to a line in the sand, who will you follow?  Joshua 24:14-15 - Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.  ¹⁵ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.    

We have seen the consequences to marriage and society when mankind becomes the authority and enforcer.  As a result, most marriages end in dissolution, 40 to 50 % of all first marriages, and the percentage increases as people remarry.  Today there are no restraints upon who should be married, as a result, the purpose for marriage has been disregarded.  Since sex is no longer limited to a husband and wife, we have seen an increase in teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, over population, degradation of the family by single parenting, and an overall decay of society. 

Therefore, as Christians and as His watchman, it is our duty, not only to keep his Marriage Law Principles ourselves, it is our duty to share them and preserve them.  When one of our brother and sister decide to unite in the covenant of matrimony, it is our duty to help prepare them.  It is our duty to make sure that their marriage will be embedded in God’s word, with Christ at the center of their home.  We must make sure that both parties have capacity to be married.  2 Corinthians 6:14 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  When trials and tribulations cause turmoil to the marriage, it is our job as members of God’s church, to aide our brother and sister in their time of need. 

As Protestant Christians, let us follow all the precepts of Christ.  Let us love one another as Christ has loved us.  Let us watch out for each other to diminish the attacks of Satan.  Let us all rely on the Rock of our Salvation.  Amen.