“Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him’…. For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:18, 24 NAS

Today, sad statistics are telling us that about half the marriages in the USA end in divorce. For better or worse, the rates in other countries around the world are usually lower—the highest being in Sweden, and the lowest in India.

On the other hand, the divorce rate in the States has stabilized—ironically because fewer couples are committing to marriage. Between 1960 and 2000, the number of unmarried cohabiting couples increased one thousand percent. Today, four out of every ten American children are born outside of marriage, up from one child in twenty in the 1950s. The rates are highest among low-income Americans. But despite the rise in cohabitation and its growing acceptability in our society, studies show that living together before marriage holds greater risks to the longevity and stability of the relationship. The Rutgers University Marriage Project found that cohabitation without a marriage contract actually brings a greater risk for divorce when those couples later marry. It also lowers the quality of life for both partners.

Often adversity can bring people closer together. But in the recent recession, economic pressures have driven wedges between many unhappy couples and a “new adultery” seems to be emerging as a coping strategy. Many herald this trend as one of the most troubling of our time. Same-sex “marriage” and “civil unions” are being written into State laws. The family—which is the core of society—seems to be fragmenting. But where did this idea of marriage and family come from?

God Instituted Marriage in Eden

Shortly after creating the first man, our Creator God provided a wife for his companionship. “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18-23). Briefly, they enjoyed a perfect marriage under perfect conditions—when God “brought her to the man.”

But swiftly sin entered when Adam failing to obey God’s simple test of obedience—instead followed his wife. However, God had anticipated this first couple sinning. He actually provided a glimmer of hope when He condemned Satan who used the “serpent” to tempt Eve. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you [Satan] on the head [fatally], and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Gen. 3:15). How would the “seed” of this marriage some day destroy Satan?

This promise was narrowed down to the line of Noah’s son Shem (Gen. 5:32; 11:10-27). Finally, it was Abraham, who was called to leave Ur and enter the Promised Land. Because of his faith, he was given the clear Gospel promise, “In thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:14). Not only would mankind’s adversary be destroyed by his Seed—but all the families of earth would some day be blessed!

Promised Seed of Blessing

Abraham and Sarah hoped their long awaited son Isaac might be the Seed of promise. But no, Isaac was only a picture of the promised Seed. And Abraham represented God who is the Father of the promised Seed, Jesus. God depicted the great cost to Himself in providing His Son to die for man’s sins by what He asked Abraham to do. “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest…and offer him there for a burnt offering” (Gen. 22:2). God accepted Abraham’s obedience, but interrupted the actual killing of Isaac.

Abraham’s faith was rewarded by an even grander description of the promised Seed. “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore (Gen 22:17). The Seed would be both heavenly and earthly!

Choosing a Bride for the Seed

When it came to finding a bride for Isaac, a beautiful picture unfolds of how God is choosing a bride for His Son (Gen. 24). As Abraham sent his servant to find a bride, so Jehovah sends His holy Spirit to find a bride for His son (John 6:44). Instead of looking among the godless Canaanites, the servant was sent to go to “my country” (vss. 2-4). Similarly, God looks among believers for those who would be willing to leave all and follow Christ (Rom. 12:1,2). (See The New Creation, Study III, “The Call of the New Creation.”)

The servant found a beautiful virgin Rebekah at a well. In a generous spirit she offered water to him—and also his camels. Those called have a humble, but generous and strong heart. As the servant gave her gifts, so drawing close to God in His providences is rewarding to those called to be the Bride of Christ. Finally, Rebekah is asked if she will leave her family to go with Abraham’s servant. And her answer? “I will go” (vs. 58).

After a long journey, Rebekah finds Isaac who has come out to meet his bride. Even so, at the end of the Age, Jesus comes to meet his bride who has sojourned with the holy Spirit through the Gospel Age (1 Thes. 4:16,17). When he comes, some of the Church are still on earth. When Rebekah gets off her camel and puts a veil over her face, Isaac takes her to wife. Thus the benediction given to Rebekah as she left home, “Be thou the mother of thousands of millions” (vs. 60), will soon become a reality for the Bride of Christ!

Husbands and Wives—Jesus and His Church

The Apostle Paul compares the God-ordained relationship of husbands and wives—with Jesus and his Church. He explains how although wives are to be “subject…to their husbands in everything,” husbands are to love their wives “just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:22-32 nas). Husbands are “to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife, loves himself, for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.” Paul concludes by calling the significance of this special relationship a “mystery.” Why? Few people fully understand God’s Plan and destiny for Jesus and his Church.

But first, on a practical level, do Christians have perfect marriages? Paul, who was single, laid out very good practical advice on the subject. Although he presented the ideal of living a celibate life to provide more time for service, he clearly suggested that advice is not for everyone (1 Cor. 7:5-9). Institutions which have required celibacy have reaped ugly consequences. But then the Apostle tells us that if we are marrying, it should be “only in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39).

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? As a most important principle, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14).

Serving God Together

But even imperfectly, what a wonderful opportunity to serve the LORD together and encourage each other in the Narrow Way! Praying together continually is the bonding that holds a marriage together.

The Apostle himself appreciated the help of one married couple—Aquila and Priscilla—“who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks” (Rom. 16:3,4). This couple also was jointly able to offer together the hospitality of their home. “Aquila and Prisca [nickname] greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house” (1 Cor 16:19).

But often, the Gospel reaches the heart of a person and they decide to commit their life to Jesus Christ—when they are already married to an “unbeliever.” Paul explains how God looks at this marriage circumstance:

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy”
(1 Cor. 7:14 NAS).”

Even though a Christian must “seek ye first the Kingdom of God” in his daily life—taking responsibility for providing reasonable needs and attention to a family is essential. “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim 5:8). Parents should continually implore their Heavenly Father for wisdom and strength to provide the best for their children’s eternal good.

The New Creature should remember that his/her marriage contract is similar to that between the Lord Jesus and the Church—it’s perpetual. It cannot be cancelled by any earthly court to permit marriage to another—except because of the one cause Jesus gave (Matt. 19:9). (See Studies XII & XIII, “Marital Privileges and Obligations,” and “Parental Obligations.”)

Espoused Virgin Church Waits for Jesus to Return

In Jesus’ day marriage laws were in effect which provided first for a betrothal with a signed and witnessed contract—then an actual marriage usually a year later (Kiddushin and Nisuin, jewish virtual library). Kiddushin sets aside the woman to be the wife of a particular man and no other. Although the woman is legally the wife of the man, the spouses do not live together until the Nisuin is complete.

Similarly, the espoused virgin Church of Jesus for centuries has been making “herself ready” for the “marriage of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-9). She has been invited to leave her father Adam’s house because the King desires her beauty of character. The needlework of embroidery—though tedious (and painful)—is finally beautiful. Her fathers of faith that preceded her—Abraham, Moses, David, etc,—will become sons of this Bride of Christ.

“Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear; Forget your people and your father's house; then the King will desire your beauty… The King's daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work; The virgins, her companions who follow her, will be brought to Thee. They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; they will enter into the King's palace. In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth….Therefore the peoples will give Thee thanks forever and ever.” Psalm 45:10-17 NAS

Apostle Paul Warns Church to Wait

Paul asked the Church at Corinth to bear with him in warning them not to accept another gospel—having already having espoused (promised) them to Christ.

“I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted….” (2 Cor. 11:1-4 NIV).

Alas, after the Apostles died many in the early church got weary of persecution and waiting—so they unfaithfully and gradually united with the kings of earth. “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her” (Rev 18:3). She actually persecuted the minority—Jesus’ true followers! “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Rev. 17:6).

At the End of the Age, God’s true people are called to leave the confusion of Babylon, the harlot. (Rev. 17:5; 18:1-5). This false Church is then destroyed.

The Marriage of the Bride and the Lamb

But the true Church, “a little flock,” the Bride of Christ—is also described as a government ruling over the earth to bless the world of mankind.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people… And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” Rev. 21:2-4

Then the faithful married Bride of Christ with Jesus will invite the world of mankind to partake of the water of life—and become their blessed children!

“And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

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