BIBLE TEACHING IS CLEAR
In the society by which we are surrounded marriage has been downgraded to the point where more than one marriage in three ends in divorce, and the ratio is still getting worse. Jesus foretold that this would happen, in Matt 24:38 & 39, "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. "And again in Luke 17:26 & 27, "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all." These verses are in the imperfect tense, and as the verbs are ongoing verbs the references to marriage mean that the people of Noah's day were not just marrying once, but continually marrying. It is intended that we should understand Bible teaching on divorce and remarriage, and it can be clarified.And Jesus says that this violation of the marriage covenant will characterize our days! Untold misery is caused to parents and children, simply because of the fickle way in which men and women treat their marriage-vows. And the sickness of divorce and remarriage is now pervading the "body of Christ", and causing misery among brethren and sisters, and schisms within the ecclesias of God. Regarding this subject we are fast approaching the time when "every man does that which is right in his own eyes". Different brethren, and different ecclesias, have different and opposing viewpoints on what the Bible teaches about it. And as the Apostle Paul writes, "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" Or as the prophet Amos says in chapter 3. verse 3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?". A correct understanding of the subject must be possible, for God does not leave His people without guidance on such important matters. "Evil men understand not judgement: but they that seek Yahweh understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5). We are kings and priests in prospect, waiting for the return of our lord, that he might establish that reign which we shall, by grace, share with him. And Proverbs 25:2 tells us, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter". It is intended that we should understand Bible teaching on divorce and remarriage, and it can be clarified.
On all other doctrinal and moral issues we claim that the scripture teaching can be clearly established. And the way we do this is to look first at key verses, which are simple, easily understood, and which cannot be misconstrued. We then interpret less clear, less precise verses in the light of those verses whose meaning is clear, recognizing that the scriptures cannot contradict themselves. For example, when explaining the temptation of Christ, we first establish the doctrine of "sin's flesh" from such passages as James 1:13-15James 1:13-15 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.. Or if we are dealing with the return of Christ to the earth, we turn first to such passages as Acts 1:11Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven., the meaning of which is quite plain. In the same way we should deal with the subject of marriage by going first to passages which are straightforward in their meaning. We can then use our understanding of them to help us with those passages with which some brethren and sisters seem to have difficulty.