The first page in the book of Revelation is usually where most truth-seekers seem to stop. We’ve all heard the stories about end times, but the idea shutters our desire to understand it. Most people refuse to accept the reality that our existence as we know it, will cease to exist.
Carry The Marriage Banner
But until that time of tribulation, Jesus encourages us to carry on. Of course, He doesn’t want us lounging around gazing up at the sky. We’re expected to practice active patience by serving others as we grow His kingdom.
ReMarriage is an area of ministry where our heart is drawn. We’ve not only been blessed by a second chance at love and family, but Leah and I understand that the marriage model is based on the way God wants to share life with us.
Marriage mirrors God’s relationship model.
God Created Marriage
Marriage is emphasized at the very beginning and end of the bible. It is also emphasized throughout God’s teachings. Adam and Eve are not merely about the creation story, they are about the very first marriage.
It was never just Adam and Eve in the Garden. God was part of the marriage relationship. He walked and talked with them as they did each other. It was only when they turned away from God that their marriage, and thus their relationship with God suffered.
God is the glue that divorce-proofs your marriage.
The first miracle performed by Jesus was at a wedding. This wasn’t a coincidence. This was by design to show the importance of the marriage model as it applies to God’s people and to the way we intimately relate with God.
The book of Revelation, the final book in God’s word, ends with the marriage supper of the Lamb. Read this powerful passage, and allow the heart that God has for marriage to show you how important it is to God.
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:6-9
7 Churches In Revelation | 7 Messages In Marriage
Admittedly, Revelations doesn’t naturally cry out romance, remarriage and restoration of marital relationships. It’s a no nonsense message to the 7 churches of Asia. We the church are His people and He desires a marriage-model relationship with us, the messages to the 7 churches are also messages about marriage.
The church in Ephesus had forsaken its first love:(Revelation 2:1-7)
This church is similar to the married couples who have remained together and weathered the storms, temptation and trials, but have done so on their own accord. God has been removed from their union. They’ve not experienced His blessings, but instead only endured year after year engrossed in self-reliance.
God wants us to place Him at the head of our marriage. He isn’t a statue set in the corner bookshelf or in a guest room. He’s not a magic lamp to be rubbed when times get tough. God wants an active, vibrant role in your marriage. His light is vital to maintaining the promise of joy in two becoming one in all aspects.
This marriage has not violated their covenant with God or each other, and by many accounts would be looked upon as a solid union. But it’s a two-legged table only propped against a wall. God’s inclusion, as it was in the Garden of Eden, creates the spiritual-strength through a true covenant-based marriage.
The church in Smyrna that suffered persecution:(Revelation 2:8-11)
Couples who remain faithful to God and each other yet live in difficult circumstances are acknowledged by God. Often times the environment places external stressors on a couple that create opportunities for sin and faithlessness.
But, where these couples fall away from the grace of God is that they still cling to the old ways, before they entered into a marriage covenant with Him. Because the couple’s focus isn’t on God’s will, they promote a spirit of discontent that threatens other couples to stumble as well.
These are the couples who are often broken, but are valuable for mentoring other couples through their examples of faithfulness. Their ability to weather the storm holds favor, but they must return to their walk with Christ. God promises to reward them and bless them greatly for their return and service.
The church in Pergamum that needed to repent:(Revelation 2:12-17)
Couples who are married in name only are an affront to the holy institution of marriage. Willfully allowing sin into their home desecrates the covenant taken with God.
Accepting things such as sexual immorality, pornography, irresponsible stewardship, covetousness, or any act of defiance deemed acceptable by the spouses. Many couples just grow weary and seek stimulation from outside sources.
Their carnal need to spice things up, lead them away from God’s will for the sanctity of marriage. God foresees the trials destined to befall couples who preach one thing, yet practice another. He is merciful and patient.
Once the couples find themselves shackled to the bowels of hell by their own sin, He is gracious to answer their pleas of forgiveness.
If your marriage has fallen off the tracks and you’ve turned to the world for spice, please return to Christ for salt. He will magnify your joy and satisfy your desires within the protective boundaries of matrimony.
The church in Thyatira embraced a false prophetess: (Revelation 2:18-29)
These couples genuinely exhibit five qualities: love, faith, service, patient endurance, and greater works. They might have started off on shaky grounds when first married, but they have grown together through time.
Where this couple falls away from God’s favor is the open invitation to false doctrine. They allow sexual immorality to enter into their marriage. Maybe it’s adultery, pornography, or sexual sin, but because they’ve believed a lie, they accept the presence of false beliefs. Rather than confessing and turning back to Christ for forgiveness, they remain locked into a practice of carnal sin.
God still loves these couples and promises them that remain faithful despite the temptations of easy sexual immorality without consequences (big lie) that they will know Jesus Christ in a very intimate relationship.
The church in Sardis had fallen asleep: (Revelation 3:1-6)
These couples put on a fantastic front-facing facade and present themselves in their community as a good, Christian couple. They may attend church services regularly and dress in their finest to go there, but the reality is, they care nothing about their walk with Christ.
Spiritually dead, they party until it’s time for the pew. Their hypocrisy is an affront to God and He has no tolerance for the charade. These couples must repent and seek God’s heart. They’d fare better by just avoiding church altogether as opposed to mocking faith with a once a week side show.
As is the case with a merciful God, He calls those with a heart for Him to seek His voice. Sometimes the old saying “Fake it until you can make it,” applies here. These couples are in God’s house, they just need to come into God’s grace.
God is very clear in His distaste for those who pretend. He’s also very gracious for those who repent and accept Jesus Christ.
The church in Philadelphia had endured patiently: (Revelation 3:7-13)
God has a heart for these couples. While they are not perfect, they are perfect in their prioritizing the bible-based marriage model. God is the head of their family. The married couple come next and followed in importance by their children, whether biological or blended.
These couples avoid strife and that places them on the outskirts of social circles. Others seek to harm them or their reputations with false allegations or blindsided swipes while the couple is not looking. These couples rest on the blessed assurance that God has them covered.
They are faithful to God, faithful to each other and faithful to their pursuit of the kingdom. These couples don’t have it easy by any means, but because they have endured tough times and persecution for the name of Jesus Christ, they know they are blessed and protected. Full faith defines these couples.
The church in Laodicea had lukewarm faith: (Revelation 3:14-22)
This couple really has no redeeming qualities. They are Godless, wretched and self-absorbed. God would rather them be hot or cold in their pursuit of Him, but the reality that they are lukewarm in their faith causes God to “spit them from His mouth.”
These couples don’t necessarily have to be wealthy, but it’s their materialistic hearts and covetousness spirit that causes the wide expanse between their desire and God’s will. Their non commitment or concern about their relationship with God will bring great rebuke upon the couple, but God does offer a way.
It is the same path we are allowed. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. These couples face the same dilemma as the New Testament’s rich, young ruler in Mark 10:17-27. Because he valued his possessions and riches, he turned from Jesus’s offer to sell them and follow Him.
God does desire to share a relationship with these couples. Jesus Christ is waiting right outside their door to be invited into their lives. He not only wants to come into their lives, but He wants to bless them greatly for their faithful seeking and invitation.
Which Couple Are You?
Married couples evolve throughout the course of their lives. Party pals may surrender to Christ and commit their days and ways to serving Him.
Couples who stood on the rock of solemn vows grow distant and detached as time and trials batter their once solid oath.
The goal isn’t to judge, but to assess. A marriage can only be as healthy as the least healthy person in the marriage. It’s a perfect opportunity to grow stronger as a couple.
Marriage On The Rock
Besides our MarriageToday certification as counselors, we were drawn to this course early on in our marriage. We want to pay forward the chance to help other couples the way we were helped.
We want to offer this to you Free. It’s an online course that is private and can be watched at your own time and pace. Every word is bible-based and sound in scripture and principle.
NOTE: I know most guys are going to refuse to watch this. Please, Please, Please ask them to just try one video. I promise, I had the same “resistance,” but thank God I dropped the macho man, and opted for loving husband.