Polygamy:

June 2003 I'm confused about something. If my wife agrees to it, is it really adultery? Specifically my wife and I are considering a threesome with her sister. We all love each other and we'd consider making it a permanent relationship. Lots of bible men had more than one wife, didn't they? I don't think the bible says polygamy is wrong does it? And if they are both my wife, is it wrong for them to be together while I am there with them?So is it OK for us to do this or only if I marry her sister too, or what The Bible records instances of polygamy but does not condone it. In the case of Solomon, it was actually his downfall. Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Notice in the above verse it says two not three. It really doesn't matter if your wife consents to this or not. It would be a sin against God. When King David had sex with Bathsheba he recognized that he had not sinned against his wife, Bathsheba, or her husband. Look at what David said under inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. I hope this answers your question.

Marital Relations:

June 2003 Hi there i am a stydent at the university of leicester and am doing my disseration on he marital rights of husband and wife in terms of sex, i was wondering if u knew what the bible said what the rights of a man and woman were once they were married Regards There is a page on this web site entitled: ...Marriage/Divorce. If you go to that section, you will find Bible verses pertaining to marriage. Also, on the page ...Sex you will find verses about sex within the confines of marriage. In the following verse, we are told not to refuse our spouse in the area of sexual relations unless it's because of time spent in prayer and fasting. However, I can find no place where the bible talks about sex between a husband and wife as a "right." I hope this answers your question. 1 Cor 7:3-5 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Divorce:

I have questions regarding divorce. I am separated from my husband of 5 yrs. We dated for 5yrs before we were married. We also had a child together before marriage and one after we were married. My husband was and still is a verbally abusive person who caused so much mental anguish upon me.He is very hateful and uncappable of showing love. We never got along as husband and wife and I often felt as if we were room mates. I took our problems to the Lord as well as to a marriage counselor (alone) becuase he was unwilling to go. Our 1 year of separation is up and we can now file for a divorce. I am uncertain as to which way to go. He has met someone else and so have I and not much has changed in our relationship as working out for the better. There are so many people even christians who have divorced for whatever reason and remarried. Is it a sin to get divorced and is it a sin to remarry? If so does the Lord prefer that one be unhappy than to be happy? Please help. Thank you In answer to your question: "Is it a sin to get divorced and is it a sin to remarry?" I would refer you to 1 Cor 7:10-11; 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. Then Jesus said these words in Mat 19:7-9: Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 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. I think it's clear that the Lord does not want you to be divorced. Now, as to your last question; "If so does the Lord prefer that one be unhappy than to be happy?" Here are some verses I found that talk about happiness: Prov 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. Prov 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: Psa 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Psa 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Prov 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. So, I would ask you this question, do you honestly think you could be happy living outside the will of God for your life? I know this was probably not the answer you were looking for. I don't mean to seem cold and uncaring, but the title of this web site is "What Does the Bible Say About...Divorce?" so, that's the only answer I can give you. I hope this answers your question, and I'll be praying for you and your family.

Marital Relations:

May 2003 If my wife refuses me often in the area of marital relations, is that a sin?This has really become a problem in our marriage and it is affecting how I relate to her. Thanks In 1 Cor. 7:5 we are told not to refuse your husband or wife. So, I guess from that you could say that it might be a sin for your wife to refuse sex. But I think the question you should be asking yourself instead, is WHY doesn't your wife want to have sex with you? If you could answer that question, you'd be well on your way to solving the problem. 1 Cor 7:3-5 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

King James Bible:

From Thomas - May 2003 May God use your website to reach out to many. I use the KJB but I have some question about the accuracy of the KJB translation, for example: Is there an error in 2 Chron 22:2 and 2 Kgs 8:26 as regards to the age of King Ahaziah? Hope you may help me to clarify the above. Thanks for your help. In Christ Thomas Thomas, Thank you for viewing my web site. Your question is beyond my expertise, but I have wondered about the same question. When studying the kings of Israel and Judah, there are places in the two accounts that have caused some puzzlement on my part. I have found, with some investigation, that the trouble is usually in the way the verse is worded. Sentence structure in the English language is different than the original languages of the manuscripts and therefore, when we read it in the English, we take away a meaning that was not the original intent of the writer. I'm not sure if that is the case here or not. But, I did a little research and Matthew Henry provided a clue to understanding what went on in these two particular verses. Matthew Henry is a Bible commentator that lived in the late 1600s (so he's not just some spark in the pan ... he's been around awhile). Here is what he says about the two verses in question: He (Ahaziah) is here said to be forty-two years old when he began to reign, which could not be, for his father, his immediate predecessor, was forty when he died, and it is said (2 Kgs 8:26) that he was twenty-two years old when he began to reign. Some make this forty-two to be the age of his mother Athaliah, for in the original it is he was the son of forty-two years, that is, the son of a mother that was of that age; and justly is her age put for his, in reproach to him, because she managed him and did what she would - she in effect, reigned, and he had little more than the title of king. Taken from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1991, Vol. 2, page 752. I hope this helps with your question.

Church Attendence:

May 2003 Hello there just need some direction,if you can help please do. I'm very unhappy in my church home. Been there for ten years, I made a decision to worship in another church,and that has made my husband very unhappy.What does the bible say about husband and wife being in different churches? My Pastor I don't trust with my best interest, no kind of relationship,no conversation,nothing for ten years.Since I have been gone from this church it has been such a freedom,but it has thrown a curve in My husband and I relationship. I have been told that I'm rebellious,and that's the last thing I want to be.Help if there is some bible teaching about this. Thanks There is a page on this web site entitled: ...Marriage/Divorce. If you go to that section, you will find Bible verses pertaining to marriage as a symbol of the relationship between believers and the Lord. Over and over in scripture, the Lord is portrayed as the husband, and believers are portrayed as the bride. As the church (individual believers) are to submit to the leadership of the Lord, so too, the wife is called to submit to the leadership of her husband. I know this is not a very popular stance today, none the less, that is what I find in the Bible. I would refer you to Ephesians 5:22-24: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Unless your husband is telling you to attend a church that teaches heresy (Mormon, or Jehovah's Witness, etc.), you should submit to the judgment of your husband. He is the spiritual leader of your home. If you decide you are going to attend another church, you are taking the role of spiritual leader. My suggestion would be (and you may be doing this already), first to pray that the Lord would change your heart, second that the Lord would convict the heart of the pastor to better meet the needs of his church, and third that the Lord would work in the heart of your husband to lead you BOTH into a church that the Lord would want you to be in. I hope this answers your question, even though I think it is not the answer you would have liked. I pray that God leads you both in the direction He would have you to go, and that you and your husband would be able to feel and follow the Lord's leading. God Bless

  Rapture:

May 2003 I came across your website looking for some more information regarding signs of the rapture. My intentions are not to be left behind, however I fear I might be. I don't comprehend why the Lord's return has not happended thus far, what leads us to believe it will happen soon? If the Lord's return will be as soon as any day as everyone makes it out to be, what is the point in continuing life as we do now. I often find my self angry and confused all at the same time. I want nothing more to spend my life in eternity with the Lord but living I don't understand why we have to live in fear of the last days or the coming of Christ. What is the point of living life, if we are not going to be here soon anyway. I feel as if I walk around waiting to hear the trumpet and I find it often affects my daily activities. Ever since I was five I always heard we are living in the end times. The Lord will return soon. I am saved and believe in the Lord but there has been a lot of sin in my life and there still is, but I am trying to do things right. I don't want to be left when that trumpet blows but I am so scared that I don't want the rapture to happen in my lifetime. I know no man knows the time or the hour but is there any idea of approximation? Does soon mean 1 yr or 1,000 more since it has gone this far? Is there one specific or several specific details that will or has happened that will show us? Thank you for taking the time to view my web site. Your email had many questions concerning the Lord's return, and I will do my best to answer as many as possible. First you asked, "I don't comprehend why the Lord's return has not happended thus far, what leads us to believe it will happen soon?" We believe that the Lord's return will be soon because He said that we should watching and ready for his return at any time (Phil 4:5, 2 Thes 2:2, Heb 9:28, Heb 10:37, and finally read James 5:8 "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.") The writers of the New Testament expected Jesus' return any day. Down through history, the leaders of the church have expected His return any day. Even today we have preachers that foolishly make predictions about the specific date the Lord will return. The fact is that no one knows exactly when Jesus will return. Jesus himself said "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Mat 24:36)." So, we are to look for his return everyday. As to why the Lord's return has not happened thus far, the answer is really very simple. It is not yet in the Father's plan. God looks down through time and determines His plan. When the time is right, that is when Jesus will return. I know that the Lord has paid a great price for our salvation and He is giving everyone ample opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Look at this verse: 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God is giving the world time to reach out to others with the Gospel, and to give everyone a chance to respond. He is longsuffering....patient, He's waiting. Your next question is, "If the Lord's return will be as soon as any day as everyone makes it out to be, what is the point in continuing life as we do now." The Lord could return before I finish writing this response to you, or, He could return 1,000 years from now. The point is, we don't know. We are called to live our lives, each moment, in service to the Lord. The fact is, any one of us could die in the next instance and be standing before the Lord. You have no guarantee that you have another day to live on this earth. That is why Jesus told many parables about always being ready. We don't need to live in fear of death, or in fear of the Lord's return. Jesus gave his life so that we could spend eternity with Him. What could be fearful about that. Jesus bought and paid for our salvation. In Psalms 66:9 we read "Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved." God is the one who holds our soul, he is the one that keeps us. It's not our own good works (or lack of it) that keeps us, it's God's. The Bible promises that if we are born again, we are SEALED. When God seals us, it's forever. 2 Cor 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen. Notice in the verses above that it is God that keeps us from falling, not ourselves. If it was left up to us, we'd blow it, because we all sin no matter how hard we work to try to avoid it. But it is God that seals us. Notice also that the verses say that God has sealed until the "last time" as stated in 1 Peter 1:5. The point I'm trying to make here (and probably not doing a very good job of) is that it's the power of God that keeps us in His good graces until the end and therefore, we have no reason for fear. 2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The verses I've quoted above lead me to believe that we don't need to fear the Lord's return, that we will not be left behind. And that brings me great comfort. Finally, you asked " Is there one specific or several specific details that will or has happened that will show us?" From what I read in scripture, there is nothing as far as prophesy that remains to happen before Jesus calls his church (the rapture). Jesus gave some very specific signs to look for in Matthew chapter 24. I will list them in the order that Jesus mentions them, and you can refer back to that chapter and read them for yourself. false Christs wars famines pestilences earthquakes Here Jesus stops and says that the above list is just the beginning of the sorrows persecution of the believers betrayal false prophets evil will increase love will grow cold gospel preached in all the world All these things are happening today, and have been happening since the time of Jesus. But, you will notice that all these things are getting worse and worse as time goes on. And, they will continue to increase until the Lord returns and puts an end to sin. I hope this answers your questions a little. I know that this is a very complex topic and you probably still have many questions.