Heb. 13:4

4 Marriage [gamos] is honourable [timios] in [en] all [pas], and [kai] the bed [koite] undefiled [amiantos]: but [de] whoremongers [pornos] and [kai] adulterers [moichos] God [theos] will judge [krino]. KJV-Interlinear

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. NASB

Recall the shadow principle which we studied recently from this book of Hebrews. Though the concept dealt with the Temple, or the tabernacle which were shadows of the real Temple in heaven. And, likewise the Levitical Priesthood and related offerings, sacrifices, and feasts which were also shadows of the real and true work of Christ.

In all that exists on this earth, all that is authorized by God, that is, these are but shadows of the true original, whether conceptual or real, in heaven.

Marriage is one of the divine institutions which God placed within the human race in order to provide stability between man and woman, and to provide the basis of the family unit. Marriage should be revered and honored and never dishonored. However in our current day, marriage is treated with virtually no respect, either by those who are actually married, or by those who avoid formal marriage, or by those who prefer to define their own version of a marriage in alternate life styles.

Anything less than the formal marriage as recognized by society, is a dishonor to the institution of marriage and a slap in Gods face, for His invention of the relationship.

One of the sure signs of the end times will be the almost total dismantling of the concept of marriage.

1 Tim. 4:1-3

1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. NASB

Among other things, marriage as an institution will fall by the wayside in the end times (whenever that might be). Though we might not like that idea, it is going to become a reality. And in recent times (decades), the world has seen tremendous failures in this regard. In Europe and Africa, marriage has declined as an institution for some time now.

In our own USA, marriage is under attack, so much so that states are beginning to define marriage as being between on man and one woman. While that may take hold for the moment, sooner or later, even here in our country, marriage will go the way of the dinosaur. That is the trend of future history. Marriage is ridiculed or disrespected by people, by Hollywood, portrayed as something less than honorable in television shows, and so forth.

In our recent study of Revelation, which we are going back to when we complete this study of Hebrews, we have already seen that our dispensation is an era of trends. Those trends are many and one thing that is common to them all, is that they are all on the increase.

I offered speculation once that when the Rapture finally occurs, the numbers of believers in the world will likely be a small number. As all other things increase, spirituality will be on the decrease. I have a chart on the web site which portrays the rise and fall of sin, along with the rise and fall of spirituality in the world, each acting inversely from the other.

As an example, recall Noah s time when the flood occurred. The spiritual measure of the world was low, sin was high, and judgment was great. Taking this same trend pattern, I believe that when the Rapture occurs the spiritual foundation of the world will be small, sin will be great, and instead of sinners being judged this time, believers will be removed, so as to open the way for even more people to come to Christ by means of the Rapture.

At the flood there were not going to be any more believers, so that generation ended. But at the Rapture, there will be more believers (following it). They just will not believe until something dramatic occurs. The Rapture will be a catalyst of sorts to kick start spirituality once again in the world. A spirituality which will have stalled.

Luke 17:26-27

26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it shall be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking , they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

NASB

Luke 17:28-29

28 It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking , they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

NASB

Luke 17:30

30 It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

NASB

Just as times have been set in a pattern, so too in the end times, people will be having their good old time when Gods actions for history will commence. In our time, the Rapture will be the next big event. In the Tribulation, the Second Advent will be the big event.

Maximum judgment only comes when there is maximum rejection of God, Christ, His doctrine, and the various principles of doctrine which God has given us.

In view here is the institution of marriage. If you are rejecting marriage in any way, then you are bordering on blasphemy against God, and you might not even know it. Or, perhaps you do but you just refuse to acknowledge it.

God set out guidelines for marriage. It has four basic purposes. First, for the propagation of children. Second, to provide an environment or a safe haven which protects people from sexual sins and desires. Third, marriage provides for companionship. Fourth, marriage provides for the basis of the family unit and the raising of children.

Marriage is an institution which means that it also has a structure. The husband is the head, the wife is his companion, and the children are a pain in the rear. Hummm. Just checking to see if you were paying attention. Kids aren t really royal pains. At least I don t recall that I was a problem of any kind !!! But as for my kids? Well, lets just say that I think we are getting close to the end times really close. Really, really close!

Ok, enough of the humor. Dad is the boss of the family, mom is the boss of the home and kids, and kids are supposed to clean up their rooms.

Eph. 5:23

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. NASB

1 Cor. 11:3

3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. NASB

1 Peter 3:1-2

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. NASB

1 Peter 3:6

6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. NASB

Sarah started out being a very stubborn, bossy, and hot headed woman. She changed miraculously into a Princess of a Lady.

Gods Word was responsible for that change.

When marriage is honored, then Gods design for marriage is followed. When married folks do not get along, there is definitely a breakdown in their spiritual lives, somewhere. Husbands might abuse their wives. Husbands are ordered by God, to love their wives. Love places controls over the husbands actions with regard to his wife. Wives might not respect their husbands. Wives are ordered by God, to obey and respect their husbands. Through respect comes humility and genuine love.

Of all of the characteristics of a marriage, the love from the husband, and the respect from the wife are the two principle ingredients of a successful marriage.

The concern of both husband and wife should center on the welfare and happiness of the other, on what can be given rather than on what can be obtained. This is another application of the golden rule, but with regard to the marriage.

Eph. 5:3

3 But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; NASB

1 Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; NASB

Phil. 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. NASB

We who are believers in Christ have been given a huge commission, a tremendous opportunity, for which we have an obligation to God. God defined marriage for humanity in order to protect humanity. God provided marriage as an illustration of the relationship between God and mankind in the spiritual life.

If we are faithful to God, then we are faithful in our relationship with Him through our pursuit of our spiritual life. When we cheat on God in our spiritual life, we cheat on the marriage relationship.

God provides us with Bible doctrine. God is the male part of the marriage. We, believers in Christ, are the female part. God has loved us, and it is for us to submit to His will. Our relationship is consummated and perpetuated when we open up our souls to His doctrine. Phenomenal blessings result from this union

Marriage on this earth is but a shadow of the reality in heaven. Remember that a shadow does no reveal all of the characteristics that make up the reality which casts the shadow. So if we have marriage and it is fantastic in all of its attributes which we have, then imagine what the real relationship in heaven will be like when we get there. Infinitely better.

Cheat in your marriage (and that is not just limited to fooling around with others but includes any form of dishonoring or resisting of the marriage concept), and God will judge (discipline) you. Likewise in your spiritual life, cheat on that and you ll get hammered.

Now is the time to post a prayer.