The Marriage Bed

[jasd]

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Phil 3:13 ...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

[Woody]

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Truly of all the things I have not understood about the SDA belief system this one tops it all!

EC - take this with a grain of salt. Many in the church do not agree with me on this issue. I tend to be one of the more conservative members in the church. You might want to check out what the liberals think on this issue.

[hch]

What does EGW mean by the "violation of the marriage bed"? Is it the obvious or something more?

"The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from him, and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the violation of the marriage vow. The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure; and the wonderful love of God which they thus despised is touchingly portrayed. “I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.” “And thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty; for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee. . . . But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.” “As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord;” “as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband.” [Ezekiel 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20.]" {GC88 381.2}

"January 11, 1888. I had a long talk with Sister C, showing her that the marriage vow is binding and could not release its claims upon any of the parties who entered into it, save from the cause of adultery, the violation of the marriage bed. We had much profitable talk upon this subject.-- Ms 22, 1888." {TSB 54.2}

"Your ideas in regard to the marriage relation have been erroneous. Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed can either break or annul the marriage vow. We are living in perilous times, when there is no assurance in anything, save in firm, unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. There is no heart that may not be estranged from God through the devices of Satan, if he does not watch unto prayer. {1MR 159.5}

[M. T. Cross]

Originally Posted By: EmptyCross

Truly of all the things I have not understood about the SDA belief system this one tops it all!

This is not a unique SDA belief but rather is found in most Christian denominations.

So all Christian denominations are out of their mind?

[Gerr]

Is it possible that God is taking our vows which are made with Him as witness far more seriously than we think? BTW, divorce is NOT the only option when things are not working between a couple. When two people can't work out their problems, they will just carry the same bagage to their next stop.

[olger]

True, namesake.

[epaminondas]

Why is it that the term "marriage bed" always conjures up images of rumpy pumpy, to use Black Adder's words? Is that what marriage is mainly about? Now the wife can wake up her sleeping husband at three in the morning and say, "wake up and do your husbandly duty" and she's still a good woman. Pity us poor husbands. A husband's work is never done.

[John317]

Did Ellen White know about our current times when she said -

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Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed can either break or annul the marriage vow. AH 341

Or - is our prophet just old fashioned and outdated?

Might as well ask the same question about Jesus Christ because Ellen White was saying exactly what Christ taught.

[Woody]

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Might as well ask the same question about Jesus Christ because Ellen White was saying exactly what Christ taught.

most true John. Most true.

[Woody]

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A husband's work is never done.