Holy Wedlock or Unholy Deadlock

By Joe W. Gresham

Marriage is a gift of God handed down from creation and is protected by the seventh commandment, yet it is under severe attack today. This sacred union was instituted in Eden by God Himself. He who made the first holy pair and who created for them a paradise home has put His seal upon the marriage institution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fourth Angel Ministries
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781947451636

Book preview

Holy Wedlock or Unholy Deadlock

Joe W. Gresham

THE FOURTH ANGEL’S PUBLISHING

6425 Welch Ave. - Fort Worth, Texas 76133

Copyright 2021

by Joe W. Gresham

All Rights Reserved

Printed in the USA

Edited by Rena (Niki) Clarke

Printed by Fourth Angel’s Publishing

Fort Worth, Texas

ISBN 978-1-947451-63-6

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 A Gift From God

Chapter 2 A Device of the Devil

Chapter 3 Words of Warning

Chapter 4 It Is What You Make of It

Chapter 5 The Compromised Commandment

Chapter 6 The Bible and Remarriage

Chapter 7 Regulations Regarding Remarriage

Chapter 8 Biblical Counsel on Singleness

Books by the Author

Introduction

This book will deal with a problem that has become paramount within the world, as well as the Christian community. It is a subject that is not touched upon as frequently as it ought to be; especially when we consider the consequences of going contrary to the expressed word and will of God concerning this topic.

Over the last several months I have received several requests to conduct lectures on marriage; not to mention the alarming increase in requests for marriage counseling. It is because of the immense significance and consequences of this topic that has necessitated the writing of this book.

Because of what is happening to the Divine institution of marriage we will not only be looking at the interactions within the marital relationship, but also aspects leading up to the marriage. We will be considering:

What to do and not to do in courtship.

What to expect in the marriage.

What to do when marriage doesn’t work out the way we think it should.

What causes marital dissension and disintegration.

What are the options of having entered into a lifelong relationship that may end up being a hellish home, rather than a heavenly haven.

A Gift From God

Marriage is a gift of God handed down from creation and is protected by the seventh commandment, yet it is under severe attack today. This sacred union was instituted in Eden by God Himself. He who made the first holy pair and who created for them a paradise home has put His seal upon the marriage institution. After the creation of Adam, the Lord said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet (suitable) for him. (Genesis 2:18). When the Lord presented Eve to Adam, angels of God were witnesses to this first wedding ceremony.

In the creation account of Genesis we find Eve was created from a rib taken out of the side of Adam, thus signifying she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand at his side as an equal; to be loved and protected by him. God made from the man a woman, one to be a companion for him, to be one with him; to cheer, encourage, and bless him. He in turn was to be her strong helper.

Ever since that first marriage all who enter into matrimonial relations are expected do so with a holy purpose; the husband is to obtain the pure affections of a woman’s heart, and the wife to soften and improve her husband’s character and give it completeness. Both the husband and the wife should seek to fulfill God’s purpose for them. This is an absolute necessity for any marriage to endure, to be blessed of God and experience His purpose for them.

While upon this Earth, Jesus, who united Adam and Eve in the garden performed His first miracle at a marriage festival. Christ began His public ministry at the wedding in Cana. Thus, He sanctioned marriage, recognizing it as an institution that He Himself had established. He has ever ordained that men and women should be united in holy wedlock, to rear families whose members should be recognized as members of the heavenly family.

Marriage has received Christ’s sanction and blessing and is to be regarded as a sacred institution by all. Those who have entered into this sacred union, as well as those who are planning to do so, should remember to always keep their affections directed toward each others happiness. Each should seek to minister to the happiness and well-being of the other. This is the will of God concerning those entering into marriage. However, both the world and the church have forgotten that marriage is something that will influence and affect one’s life, both in this world and in the world to come. While this is to be expected of the world, sincere Christians will not advance his or her plans in a direction without the knowledge that God approves their course. They will not want to choose for themselves, but will feel that God must choose for them. Therefore, every step toward a marriage alliance should be characterized by modesty, simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose to please and honor God. Very few, however, comprehend these concepts of marriage. Having been instituted by God, marriage is a sacred ordinance and should never be entered upon in a spirit of selfishness, or self-centeredness. Those who contemplate this step should solemnly and prayerfully consider its importance and seek divine counsel that they may know whether they are pursuing a course in harmony with the will of God. The instruction given in God’s word on this point should be carefully considered. Heaven always looks with pleasure upon a marriage formed with an earnest desire to conform to the directions given in the Scripture; and to this union God will add his blessing.

However, we find that by the time of Noah, just prior to the flood, marriage had lost its true significance and seeking the will of God had nearly vanished from upon the face of the Earth; for we read in Matthew: But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37-39).

It was not a sin to marry in the time of Noah and it is not a sin to marry today, if that which is lawful is properly treated and not carried to sinful excess. But in the days of Noah men married without consulting God, or seeking His guidance and counsel. They were so engrossed in their eating and drinking and festivities that they no longer gave any thought about the will of God, or the purpose of the institution of marriage. As a result they found themselves totally unprepared when the judgment of God fell upon them.

There are many who are losing their souls today by becoming absorbed in the thoughts of marriage while giving little, or no thought, about God or His will. Thoughts are centered primarily on dress and decoration, upon music, regalia, and receptions. The marriage relation is holy, but in this degenerate age it covers vileness of every description. It is abused and has become a crime which now constitutes one of the signs of the last days, even as marriages managed as they were previous to the flood were then a