THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE

For a year and a half we have studied the very first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis—a total of 59 messages. In Genesis, we saw how our God is a God of Creation and Providence. He created all things for Himself and is in control of all that He had created for His own glory.

Now, which book of the Bible should we study next? In light of the global economic, climate, health and moral crises, I am moved to study with you the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.

There is a special blessing to all who study the book of Revelation. The Rev Dr Timothy Tow, our late founding pastor, said, “The purpose of this revelation is ‘to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass’ (Revelation 1:1). ‘Shortly’ is how the coming world events appear to God. ‘But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day’ (II Peter 3:8). Two thousand years are a mere two days to the Omniscient in the divine economy. Now, a blessing is pronounced on him who reads and hears the words of prophecy in this book, and to him who ‘keeps those things that are written therein’ (Revelation 1:3). The blessing of light showing us through a dark and dangerous future till we arrive on the peaceful shores above.” (Coming World Events Unveiled, p12)

IS IT A SIN TO REMARRY?

1 Corinthians 7:39, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”

Is it a sin to remarry and to do so soon after one’s spouse has passed away?

Yes It Is

The answer is yes if one’s spouse is still alive. 1 Corinthians 7:10–11 states, “And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the 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.” Jesus Himself said in Luke 16:18, “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” Why? The reason is given in Romans 7:2–3, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.”

No It Isn’t

The answer is no if one’s spouse has already passed away. 1 Corinthians 7:39 makes this clear, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” A widow or widower is free to remarry if he or she wishes to, but only on condition that he or she marries “in the Lord”. What does this mean? John Wesley commented, “That is, only if Christians marry Christians: a standing direction, and one of the utmost importance.” Calvin said the same but with an additional recommendation, “that they ought not to yoke themselves with the irreligious, or to covet their society. This, I acknowledge, is true, but I am of opinion that more is meant that they should do this in a religious way, and in the fear of the Lord, for it is in this manner that marriages are formed auspiciously.” John Gill explained, “that she enter into this state in the fear of the Lord, calling upon him, and consulting him in such an important affair”.

Thus, if a person wishes to remarry, he or she must ensure that only a believer is contemplated (and may I add, a godly one), and that this wish to remarry ought to be committed to the Lord in prayer, to seek His good providence and guidance.

How Soon?

Should a remarriage be as soon as possible or as late as possible? The Bible appears to be silent concerning this. Despite the silence, Paul’s counsel—“she is at liberty to be married…”—tells us that the timing of the remarriage is not an issue—it does not matter if one chooses to remarry soon or to remarry later. Hence, a person is absolutely free to remarry and to decide when to do so, but on one condition—“only in the Lord”. “Only in the Lord” as explained above not only requires one to marry a believer, it also requires one to seek God’s will on precisely who to marry and when to marry (Prov 3:5–6, Ps 37:4, Matt 6:33, Jas 1:5).

The Westminster Larger Catechism has something to say about time or timing. Q139: What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment? A139: The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections; all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto; wanton looks, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel; prohibiting of lawful, and dispensing with unlawful marriages; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them; entangling vows of single life, undue delay of marriage; having more wives or husbands than one at the same time; unjust divorce, or desertion; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, unchaste company; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.”

The Westminster divines made it clear that “undue delay of marriage” is a violation of the 7^th commandment. 1 Corinthians 7:36 says, “But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.” Note then that there is no sin in marrying as soon as possible or as soon as necessary. But to delay a marriage, when a virgin is of marriageable age or past marriageable age and has found a suitable suitor, is sinful, a breaking of God’s commandment. In light of this, parents, or anyone for that matter, should not “behave uncomely” or unbecomingly by prohibiting or delaying a God-given match or union. Engaged couples should plan to wed, not as late as possible but as early as possible. My pastoral counsel to those already engaged is to tie the knot as soon as possible—preferably within six months. We ought to be marriage makers, not marriage breakers. “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Prov 18:22).

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” (Ps 37:4–9). JK

THANKSGIVING FROM NEW LIFE STUDENT CENTRE

Dear Pastor

By the grace of God and your prayer and cheerful love gift support, we at NLSC are fine and doing well. Praise the Lord.

I would like to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, mercies, protection from many dangers and difficulties: (1) military coup, (2) Covid-19 virus, (3) floods in Myanmar.

Since the military coup began on 1 February 2021, the Lord has kept NLSC safe through the prayers of True Life BPC.

By the grace of God and your prayer and cheerful love gift support, we at NLSC are safe and sound until today. Your love, care and concern, and your cheerful love gifts have supported all the physical needs at NLSC and we have enough of everything we need and we are fine, running well till this day. It is with deepest happiness and thankfulness to the Lord and to True Life BPC. To God be the glory. 

Really God is so good to us especially during this difficult time. During this time, we spent most of our time studying the Bible and the school lessons. I believe that God allows us to stay together and learn the words of God together. By the grace of God, I got to teach God’s words so many times to the students, and now they have grown spiritually. Now they start reading the Bible and pray on their own and spend their daily life usefully. Every student becomes polite and humble.

I thank God for touching their hearts and minds. Most students have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. As proof that they are children of God, they now show a change in their thinking, their ways, and behaviour. Also now, they can understand very well how much God loves us. So they never hesitate to spend their time with the Lord in their free time.

We also take care of ourselves properly because this Covid-19 pandemic is very dangerous. Those who get it die easily. It is my faith that God will protect us with His mighty hand during this bad situation in Myanmar. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” (Prov 1:33).

Please do continue to pray for our good health and safety from this dangerous and difficult time until the end. Thanks. We at NLSC pray for you and True Life BPC and FEBC always.

Yours in Christ

Brother Thangno
New Life Student Centre
Yangon, Myanmar
1 August 2021