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Question # 6 out of the: Ten Standing Questions with Answers
By Julia Lee
Do You Forbid Marriage?
Why don’t the Sons and daughters of Ephraim marry and settle down like other preachers?
We permit all to exercise their freedom in acting according to their belief and conscience. When Jesus sent His apostles out on the harvest field with “the Gospel of God concerning the kingdom,” He did not say “Go and marry, settle down, build churches,” and so forth, but “Go! Behold, I send you forth as Sheep in the midst of wolves.” “Go!” They should riot sit.
“Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Freely ye have received, freely give. . .But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
(Matt. 10:5-8, 23-24.)
“But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost (Spirit) is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the utmost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8.)
We believe that some of Christ’s apostles were married before Christ called them to fill the office of apostleship, for Paul says:
“Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” (1 Cor. 9:5.)
Several of us messengers were also married before we even became disciples of Christ, far less received the calling to serve God’s Holy Son.
What we are opposed to is that a person preaches the message of the soon coming of Christ, showing the danger of standing bound by family ties during the impending time of terrible distress, saying, “Others may marry; I shall never marry,” and then gets married, afterwards coming and boasting the name, “Ephraim’s Messenger”, thereby dishonoring the movement and the office of apostleship. This does not occur with our consent. All such persons then seek their own gain by virtue of this their position--”not the things that are Jesus Christ’s”. (Phil. 2:21.) Paul agrees with us, for he says concerning this delicate subject, that he who is called to become an apostle must remain in the same position that he or she is in when the call is received.
He reasons thus:
“For I would that all men were even as I myself... But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, let no wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy (that is, if the mother or father can keep them in the fear of God). But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, 0 wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, 0 man whether thou savest thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, arid uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none.” (1 Cor. 7:7-29.)
This requires a large measure of the righteousness of faith and the fear of God. To (behave towards) one’s wife as (towards) a beloved sister is more difficult than to refrain from marrying. But it leaves both free to serve in all things the self-sacrificing Son of God. If later on, the disciple is called to apostleship, both of the mates are ready to go—go forth as preachers of faith. These words of wisdom are applicable now, if ever. The apostle continues to give his valuable advice:
“And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”
(1 Cor. 7:30-34.)
Ephraim’s Messengers, both men and women, concern themselves with those things pertaining to Christ, break their worldly connections (engagements and other ties) and separate themselves in order to serve God in truth like the first apostles. The person believing and loving the covenant of truth prepares himself in obedience for entering “the church of God” as soon as an opportunity presents itself. The position of this pure virgin, betrothed to Christ, is described in Acts 4:32-35.
Disciples who are called to fill the office of apostleship take the lead as examples. If one calling himself or herself a son or daughter of Ephraim marries after he or she has preached the gospel of the covenant, it thereby becomes evident that such an individual has turned aside from the calling of Christ. If they still continue to preach, they cause confusion. “The name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations.” (Rom. 2:24, Emphatic biaglott.) “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Luke 9:62; compare Luke 14:7-35.)
In Matt. 22:2-8 and Luke 14:17-27 the Lord shows what relation those persons assume, with respect to the King, who make themselves unworthy of the high calling, God in His grace, has permitted to come to their lot.
An accusation has been directed against us messengers that we break the commandment of God which says, “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth.” Our answer is: The earth is already overfilled with those who are “born without purpose.” We deplore the offspring of unrestrained lusts and the parents of such offspring. We have no desire to see our children die of hunger, eaten by wild animals, seduced by idolaters, and become lost. This is our defense, which is confirmed by God and His Son in the following words:
“For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall riot be cut off. Also the Sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon my altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” (Isa. 56:4-7; compare Matt. 19:12. BELOW)
Unfortunately there are but very few who receive power to journey this road to self-denial. But the pillars are raised up in the temple of God by these blessed of the Lord. Thanks be to God for the glorious goal of the calling’ May He greatly increase our number with those who are like the Master!
Mat 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
Mat 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Mat 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Isa 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
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