WEBVTT
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Is your marriage on the rocks?
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Do you find you and your
spouse constantly arguing
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and bickering?
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Do even the smallest
issues seem to blow up
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into major disputes?
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Many silently suffer in
a marriage fraught with
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conflict and pain.
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You might be one of them.
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You might feel it's hopeless, there's nothing that
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can be done.
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Well, before you give
up, keep listening.
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What if you have
a decent marriage?
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What if you and your
spouse get along,
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but you sense you
could be closer.
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If you'd like a breakthrough, then this program is
00:34.667 --> 00:36.069
for you, too.
00:36.136 --> 00:38.905
What if you describe
your marriage as close
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and fulfilling?
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Could it be better?
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I think we'd all agree
even great marriages,
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between flawed people,
can always improve.
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What if you're not married,
will never marry, or have
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zero interest in marriage?
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Well, if that's the case, don't turn off this program yet.
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Because believe it or not,
what we're going to cover
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still applies to you.
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The issue of marriage
is something that
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concerns all of us.
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No matter what time of life we're in, regardless of our
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age or the state of our marriage, or even if we're
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not married at all.
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Why is that?
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We'll discover that on
today's Tomorrow's World.
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But before we do, be sure
to get a pen and paper,
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because later in the program I'll give you an opportunity
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to order your free copy
of the study guide
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God's Plan for Happy Marriage.
01:30.056 --> 01:32.692
So, join me today on
Tomorrow's World.
01:32.759 --> 01:36.696
As we learn, "How to Build
a Better Marriage."
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I'll be right back.
01:38.364 --> 01:44.671
♪
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Welcome to Tomorrow's World, where we help you make sense
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of your world, through
the pages of the Bible.
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Marriage is in crisis.
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Never it seems has it been
so misunderstood, misapplied,
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and even ridiculed.
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The institution itself is
going through a dramatic
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transformation before our
eyes, in the modern world.
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Consider what the website "ourworldindata.org"
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has to say:
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"Within the last decades the institution of marriage has
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changed more than in the thousands of years before...
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The proportion of people who
are getting married is going
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down in many countries
across the world."
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And truly, when we look at
the drop in marriage rates
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all over the world, it is a shocking and disturbing trend.
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And extremely worrisome,
because marriage is one
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of the basic building
blocks of society.
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But where did
marriage come from?
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Some see marriage as
a man-made construct--
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something that our ancestors millions of years ago
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figured would be a good idea.
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You know, the picture of
marriage beginning when a
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caveman dragged his chosen
female mate back to his
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cave to be his wife.
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And the rest is history.
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But is that how marriage began?
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No, the truth is, marriage
was invented by God Himself.
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We find that in
Genesis 2:20...
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"So Adam gave names to all
cattle, to the birds of
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the air, and to every
beast of the field.
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But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
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And the LORD God caused a
deep sleep to fall on Adam,
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and he slept; and He
took one of his ribs,
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and closed up the
flesh in its place.
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Then the rib which the LORD
God had taken from man
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He made into a woman, and
He brought her to the man."
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These were the first humans,
not some imaginary
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Neanderthals dragging their mates around by the hair.
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And marriage was designed to create a bond of trust and
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loyalty between a man and
a woman who've committed
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their lives to each other.
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It thrives in a state of
godly character, honesty,
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and transparency.
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And it was intended to become the launching pad for children
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who grow up learning respect and decency from their parents.
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Imagine a society where
thousands and even millions
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of family units are built
on this type of stable
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and solid foundation.
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Think about the far-reaching positive benefits for
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society at large.
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Mature, well-adjusted, and
honest adults who function
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dependably in the workplace
and in the community.
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And where did they
learn these traits?
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In a godly Christian home,
from parents who had built
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a strong marriage together.
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You see, everything
starts in the home.
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And the home environment
is built on marriage.
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And marriage was
established by God.
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So, if you want to build a
better marriage yourself,
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you've got to start
at the beginning.
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And that beginning is
our first key today:
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1. Acknowledge that
marriage comes from God.
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This might seem like
a simple point.
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But it actually has
far-reaching consequences.
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If we acknowledge that God
is the author of marriage,
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that means He can
define what it is.
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No, it's not any arrangement of two people who love each other,
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however love is defined.
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It's not a man in a union
with another man, or a
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woman with another woman.
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No, God defines marriage
as a special covenant,
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for life, between a
man and a woman.
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Acknowledging that marriage comes from God also defines
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what constitutes appropriate behavior in that relationship.
05:33.332 --> 05:37.804
Just as God created marriage, God created sex.
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And God designed sex to be
exclusively limited to a
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man and wife within the
marriage relationship.
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Notice what Jesus said
in Matthew 5:31-32...
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"It has been said,
'Whoever divorces his wife,
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let him give her a
certificate of divorce.'
05:56.789 --> 06:00.159
But I say to you that
whoever divorces his wife
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for any reason except
sexual immorality causes
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her to commit adultery;
and whoever marries a
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woman who is divorced
commits adultery."
06:11.270 --> 06:14.006
The phrase "sexual immorality" comes from the Greek
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root word, "pornea."
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"Pornea" would include
repeated adultery,
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a lifestyle of
being unfaithful.
06:21.280 --> 06:24.550
And "pornea"--from which we
get the word "pornography"--
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could also certainly include an addiction to pornography if one
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is resistant to giving it up.
06:31.924 --> 06:34.060
You see, acknowledging
that God created marriage
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changes everything.
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It means that we look to
Him to know how to conduct
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our lives, even in our
closest relationship.
06:42.769 --> 06:46.639
It means we even seek His
perspective on divorce.
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As Malachi 2:16 notes...
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"'For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce,
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for it covers one's
garment with violence.'
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Says the LORD of hosts.
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'Therefore take heed to
your spirit, that you do
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not deal treacherously.'"
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God hates divorce because
He knows how much damage
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it does to the family.
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And He wants to help
us avoid that.
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So, if you want to build
a better marriage,
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you've got to know
where to start.
07:14.867 --> 07:17.670
Whether you're in a troubled marriage or whether your
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marriage is generally
happy but could be better,
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we have a map for
making improvements.
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And it all starts with acknowledging God
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as the Creator.
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He designed it.
07:27.647 --> 07:31.317
He knows how to
make it work best.
07:31.384 --> 07:34.120
Before going on, let me offer you our free study guide,
07:34.187 --> 07:36.589
God's Plan for Happy Marriage.
07:36.656 --> 07:39.358
In it, the late Roderick Meredith writes, in the
07:39.425 --> 07:42.128
chapter "Build a God-
Centered Marriage,"
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"As you come to know that
very real God, you will
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increasingly understand
that He really does know
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what is best for you and for every area of your life,
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certainly including
your marriage."
07:55.074 --> 07:58.778
This practical yet profound booklet will open your eyes
07:58.845 --> 08:02.448
to the steps you can take
to build or even rebuild
08:02.515 --> 08:03.449
your marriage.
08:03.516 --> 08:05.017
You need this booklet.
08:05.084 --> 08:08.154
It's free of charge, we
want to send it to you.
08:08.221 --> 08:10.323
So just write, call,
or click today.
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Order now.
08:11.490 --> 08:12.291
♪
08:12.358 --> 08:19.031
For today's free
offer call...
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Or go to...
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This clear and straight-
forward resource will
08:27.573 --> 08:29.842
help you understand
this vital truth--
08:29.909 --> 08:32.945
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
08:33.012 --> 08:35.047
If you're calling
for the first time,
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you will also receive a
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Tomorrow's World magazine.
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Six inspiring issues
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08:43.589 --> 08:46.359
and modern culture will
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Call today and join
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Or go to...
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♪
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Welcome back.
09:13.286 --> 09:15.788
In the previous portion of
this program, we saw that
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acknowledging God is the
first key towards building
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a better marriage.
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What's the next key?
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2. Commit to Your Spouse.
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There was a time, even
in the recent past,
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when marriage, was
assumed to be for life.
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Where did that
idea come from?
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Well, from the Bible.
09:34.473 --> 09:39.011
Romans 7:2 says...
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"For the woman who has
a husband is bound by
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the law to her husband
as long as he lives.
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But if the husband dies,
she is released from the
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law of her husband."
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You see, this wasn't
a man-made idea.
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God defined marriage as
a life-long commitment.
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A sacred covenant.
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When Jesus was on this earth, the Jews asked Him about
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marriage--specifically
about divorce.
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Notice His response
in Mark 10:6-9...
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"From the beginning of the
creation, God 'made them
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male and female.'
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'For this reason a man
shall leave his father
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and mother and be
joined to his wife,
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and the two shall
become one flesh,'...
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Therefore what God
has joined together,
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let not man separate."
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But today, we see very
different expectations.
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The mentality, all too often,
is "I'll love you as long
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as you love me."
10:33.599 --> 10:37.003
Or, "I'll stay with you as
long as my needs are met."
10:37.069 --> 10:39.739
Some seek to be free of a
marriage if they feel
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they no longer love the
person they married.
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But can you see the flaws
in each of these mindsets?
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They're setting a limit
on the commitment they're
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willing to make.
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Now, before going on any
further, let me explain:
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Christ did say that there
are times when a marriage
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relationship had been
broken beyond repair.
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The damage is done and is
very difficult to be undone.
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As noted already, one of those times is when a partner
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has fallen into a lifestyle
of sexual immorality
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and is unrepentant.
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That's a valid
reason for divorce.
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Another example is
found in the writings
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of the apostle Paul.
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He's talking to Christians
who are married to unbelievers,
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and he says, in
1 Corinthians 7:15...
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"But if the unbeliever
departs, let him depart;
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a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.
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But God has called
us to peace."
11:37.897 --> 11:39.999
In other words, there
are times when the other
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person has made it clear
that he or she no longer
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intends to fulfill the
marriage contract.
11:46.539 --> 11:50.443
Even with time, and counseling, and perseverance of the
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committed partner, the
other person's done.
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Maybe they abandon their mate.
11:55.581 --> 11:58.417
Or, perhaps they are
terribly abusive.
11:58.484 --> 12:01.487
At times such as this,
as Paul explains,
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it is appropriate to
dissolve the marriage.
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But truthfully, in our day,
too many marriages are wrecked
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simply because two people
just can't get along.
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In many cases it could be salvaged--and even improved--
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with a little more
patience and perseverance.
12:19.305 --> 12:22.041
There was a fascinating
study conducted in the
12:22.108 --> 12:24.510
United Kingdom that was
referred to by the
12:24.577 --> 12:28.013
Marriage Foundation,
in February 2017.
12:28.080 --> 12:31.217
The Marriage Foundation is an organization in Britain that
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advocates for policies that support marriage and the family.
12:35.621 --> 12:37.156
Here is what they found:
12:37.223 --> 12:41.160
"It is widely presumed that 'staying together in an
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unhappy marriage' condemns couples to a life of misery."
12:44.930 --> 12:48.267
This is the common assumption, but the study found that
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in most cases, that's
simply not true.
12:50.870 --> 12:54.206
The study followed a group
of 10,000 parents with
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newborn children, focusing
on a small subset of that
12:57.776 --> 13:02.081
group who described their marriages as "unhappy."
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What was the result
of the study?
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"Of this small minority,
30% split up within ten years.
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Of those who stayed together, two thirds reported that
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they were now happy and
only 7% still unhappy."
13:18.664 --> 13:20.266
Did you catch that?
13:20.332 --> 13:23.269
In other words, even if you're struggling in your marriage,
13:23.335 --> 13:26.272
even if you feel unhappy,
don't give up.
13:26.338 --> 13:29.375
Sometimes you'll go through
a time of high stress
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and difficulty.
13:30.743 --> 13:33.212
The solution is generally
not to bail out, but to
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work on it together,
learn what you can learn,
13:36.982 --> 13:40.286
and try to figure out what you may be doing wrong, personally.
13:40.352 --> 13:42.421
And to persevere.
13:42.488 --> 13:45.291
In most cases, it
will get better.
13:45.357 --> 13:48.027
Which brings us back to
the point of this section:
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Commit to Your Spouse.
13:50.162 --> 13:53.232
If we go into marriage with
a Plan B, so to speak--
13:53.299 --> 13:57.336
if divorce is an option if things get too hard--then
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it's more likely that some
day we'll take that option.
14:00.739 --> 14:03.842
On the other hand, if we go
into marriage with the mindset,
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"I am committed to this
marriage until death.
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I will do everything I possibly can to make it work.
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Even if times get rough,
I'm not going to see divorce
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as an escape hatch."
14:16.855 --> 14:20.559
That will change our
perspective dramatically.
14:20.626 --> 14:23.929
When we hit the storms of life, we're going to pull out
14:23.996 --> 14:26.298
all the stops to make it work.
14:26.365 --> 14:28.467
We're going to redouble
our efforts.
14:28.534 --> 14:30.035
We're going to
seek counseling.
14:30.102 --> 14:31.937
We're going to humble
ourselves and try to
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figure it out, together.
14:33.939 --> 14:37.443
My wife and I were blessed
to have parents with intact
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marriages, who were faithful
to each other for decades.
14:41.513 --> 14:43.449
They gave us good examples.
14:43.515 --> 14:45.317
But we also have many
friends who were not
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blessed in the same way.
14:47.152 --> 14:49.722
Yet I know, some of our friends, in their own marriages,
14:49.788 --> 14:54.026
have made it a specific and determined goal to not follow
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the same path as their parents.
14:56.462 --> 14:59.732
They don't want divorce
to even be an option.
14:59.798 --> 15:01.600
Again, please understand.
15:01.667 --> 15:04.803
God is not condoning you
staying in a relationship
15:04.870 --> 15:08.574
that is physically abusive
or where your partner has
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no intention of fulfilling
his or her responsibilities.
15:12.845 --> 15:16.081
But in our experience,
many people split up
15:16.148 --> 15:18.484
when they could have
made it work.
15:18.550 --> 15:20.319
With a little more persistence.
15:20.386 --> 15:22.087
A little more patience.
15:22.154 --> 15:23.956
And a little more commitment.
15:24.023 --> 15:26.458
I know what I'm
saying is not easy.
15:26.525 --> 15:29.161
Even a good marriage
will be tested.
15:29.228 --> 15:30.195
We're all human.
15:30.262 --> 15:32.064
We all make mistakes.
15:32.131 --> 15:34.633
We say and do things
we ought not.
15:34.700 --> 15:37.770
But we've got to understand,
we're living in a generation
15:37.836 --> 15:41.440
that undermines the
importance of commitment.
15:41.507 --> 15:43.609
It's a sign of our times.
15:43.676 --> 15:46.912
Commitment is so important
in our relationships.
15:46.979 --> 15:50.516
Not just marriage, but
all of our relationships.
15:50.582 --> 15:54.186
And lack of commitment to treat
one another with integrity
15:54.253 --> 15:59.291
and respect is one thing that
is tearing society apart.
15:59.358 --> 16:06.432
Notice what the Apostle Paul prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:1-4...
16:06.498 --> 16:10.569
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
16:10.636 --> 16:14.473
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
16:14.540 --> 16:18.644
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
16:18.711 --> 16:23.782
unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
16:23.849 --> 16:27.653
without self-control,
brutal, despisers of good,
16:27.720 --> 16:31.056
traitors, headstrong,
haughty lovers of pleasure
16:31.123 --> 16:33.158
rather than lovers of God...."
16:33.225 --> 16:36.462
What Paul is describing is a world where people's greatest
16:36.528 --> 16:40.599
commitment is to themselves; satisfying the self.
16:40.666 --> 16:43.702
And that describes our
world today, all too often.
16:43.769 --> 16:47.206
So, we have to work that
much harder to learn to
16:47.272 --> 16:49.375
be committed to our mate.
16:49.441 --> 16:52.244
Again, there's much more
to say on this topic,
16:52.311 --> 16:55.347
but I want to pause to give
you an opportunity to order
16:55.414 --> 16:59.051
our free study guide
God's Plan for Happy Marriage.
16:59.118 --> 17:01.987
In it, Dr. Roderick
Meredith explains,
17:02.054 --> 17:04.623
"One of the traditional
marriage ceremonies includes
17:04.690 --> 17:07.993
the expression, 'till
death to us part.'
17:08.060 --> 17:11.363
Although many young people
today disdain this notion,
17:11.430 --> 17:15.167
it is absolutely vital that every marriage be built
17:15.234 --> 17:16.802
on this understanding."
17:16.869 --> 17:19.471
There's much more in
this enlightening and
17:19.538 --> 17:21.206
encouraging resource.
17:21.273 --> 17:25.844
If you want help in building your marriage, don't delay.
17:25.911 --> 17:26.945
Order it today.
17:27.012 --> 17:28.981
Call, write or
order online.
17:29.048 --> 17:31.283
We'll send it to
you free of charge.
17:31.350 --> 17:32.217
Order now.
17:32.284 --> 17:33.218
♪
17:33.285 --> 17:35.354
This clear and straight-
forward resource
17:35.421 --> 17:37.890
will help you understand
this vital truth--
17:37.956 --> 17:40.692
straight from the pages
of the Bible.
17:40.759 --> 17:41.927
Call now!
17:41.994 --> 17:46.031
Or go to...
17:46.098 --> 17:48.000
♪
17:48.066 --> 17:49.334
Welcome back.
17:49.401 --> 17:51.103
In the last segment of
the program we talked
17:51.170 --> 17:53.439
about the importance
of commitment.
17:53.505 --> 17:55.808
And this brings us to
the next key:
17:55.874 --> 17:59.778
3. Give 100%.
17:59.845 --> 18:03.048
In a traditional Western
culture wedding, the father
18:03.115 --> 18:04.750
gives the bride away.
18:04.817 --> 18:07.519
And it's a touching moment
when he walks the young woman
18:07.586 --> 18:11.557
he's raised down the aisle,
as she enters a new phase of
18:11.623 --> 18:14.092
her life with her husband to be.
18:14.159 --> 18:18.197
The bond between a father and
a daughter is very special.
18:18.263 --> 18:21.467
And it's a pivotal moment
when he "gives her away."
18:21.533 --> 18:24.102
But too many people don't
understand that after the
18:24.169 --> 18:28.106
wedding, they now need to
"give themselves away."
18:28.173 --> 18:31.210
As a husband or wife, they
need to go into marriage
18:31.276 --> 18:35.047
not with a selfish mindset,
but rather with an attitude
18:35.113 --> 18:38.450
of giving 100% to their mate.
18:38.517 --> 18:43.555
Notice Paul's statement,
quoting Jesus, in Acts 20:35...
18:43.622 --> 18:47.726
"And remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, that He said,
18:47.793 --> 18:51.497
'It is more blessed to
give than to receive'."
18:51.563 --> 18:55.067
When we understand this, and apply it, it creates a powerful
18:55.133 --> 18:59.071
dynamic that can revitalize
even a troubled marriage.
18:59.137 --> 19:01.707
Even a marriage that
has hit a rough patch.
19:01.773 --> 19:04.042
This is an antidote:
19:04.109 --> 19:09.515
Marriage is about giving 100%--
not demanding our own needs.
19:09.581 --> 19:13.852
Some have described marriage
as a 50/50 proposition.
19:13.919 --> 19:18.123
If you give 50%, and your
mate gives 50%, you'll meet
19:18.190 --> 19:19.191
in the middle.
19:19.258 --> 19:22.227
But in actual practice,
this doesn't work.
19:22.294 --> 19:25.330
What happens in a
50/50 relationship?
19:25.397 --> 19:29.268
Well, we both give up to a
certain point, and then we stop.
19:29.334 --> 19:31.870
And we expect the other
person to meet us.
19:31.937 --> 19:34.706
That's the problem
with a 50/50 marriage.
19:34.773 --> 19:38.110
It's like two people standing
on two ends of an unfinished
19:38.176 --> 19:40.145
bridge spanning a river.
19:40.212 --> 19:42.281
The two people are
standing on the edges,
19:42.347 --> 19:45.417
looking into the gulf
between them, wondering
19:45.484 --> 19:48.353
why the other person
isn't doing more.
19:48.420 --> 19:51.089
And all the while, the
chasm between them seems
19:51.156 --> 19:54.092
to loom larger and larger.
19:54.159 --> 19:56.562
Does this ever describe
your experience?
19:56.628 --> 19:59.631
Let me present a better model.
19:59.698 --> 20:04.403
That is, each person
giving 100%.
20:04.469 --> 20:09.374
That means, I'm giving 100%
no matter what my mate does.
20:09.441 --> 20:12.878
I'm going to give even
when I don't feel like it,
20:12.945 --> 20:15.881
and even if for the moment
I feel the other person
20:15.948 --> 20:17.449
doesn't deserve it.
20:17.516 --> 20:23.188
The apostle Paul explained
this in Ephesians 5:33...
20:23.255 --> 20:26.692
"Nevertheless let each one
of you in particular so love
20:26.758 --> 20:30.696
his own wife as himself,
and let the wife see that
20:30.762 --> 20:33.098
she respects her husband."
20:33.165 --> 20:34.232
Paul doesn't say:
20:34.299 --> 20:37.536
"Husbands, love your wife
if she loves you back."
20:37.603 --> 20:42.040
And yet, all too often,
that's how we husbands act.
20:42.107 --> 20:45.711
If we don't feel loved,
why should we sacrifice more?
20:45.777 --> 20:48.780
If she is being cutting or
critical, why should I try
20:48.847 --> 20:50.515
to be patient and loving?
20:50.582 --> 20:52.351
But that's wrong thinking.
20:52.417 --> 20:54.820
Rather, we are to
do what Paul said.
20:54.886 --> 20:57.656
We are to love our wife, period.
20:57.723 --> 21:01.159
Especially when she isn't
especially loveable.
21:01.226 --> 21:03.662
That's the time when
our love is tested.
21:03.729 --> 21:07.265
And frankly, that's when
our wife needs our patience
21:07.332 --> 21:09.334
and love the most.
21:09.401 --> 21:11.937
And if you're willing
to do that, if you're
21:12.004 --> 21:14.306
willing to cherish and
treasure her, and make
21:14.373 --> 21:17.242
sure she knows you
think she's important.
21:17.309 --> 21:21.013
Not mocking or belittling
or talking down to her
21:21.079 --> 21:22.614
because of her emotions.
21:22.681 --> 21:26.718
If you're willing to do that, you may be surprised at how
21:26.785 --> 21:30.622
your relationship can be revitalized and even deepen.
21:30.689 --> 21:32.591
What about you wives?
21:32.658 --> 21:34.593
Have you noticed
the same thing?
21:34.660 --> 21:35.894
Paul doesn't say,
21:35.961 --> 21:40.098
"Wives, respect your husband
if he is fulfilling your needs
21:40.165 --> 21:41.733
at that exact moment."
21:41.800 --> 21:46.805
And yet, all too often, that's how wives can react as well.
21:46.872 --> 21:49.875
If you don't feel loved,
you may think, why should
21:49.941 --> 21:51.309
I respect him?
21:51.376 --> 21:53.612
He's not being very kind
to me, why should I try
21:53.679 --> 21:55.480
to be supportive of him?
21:55.547 --> 21:58.216
But that's wrong
thinking as well.
21:58.283 --> 22:01.987
Rather, you are to
also do what Paul said.
22:02.054 --> 22:05.424
Respect your husband, period.
22:05.490 --> 22:07.359
Especially when he
is out of sorts.
22:07.426 --> 22:10.295
That's the time when
your patience is tested.
22:10.362 --> 22:13.598
And that's when he needs
your respect and your
22:13.665 --> 22:15.333
support the most.
22:15.400 --> 22:19.271
Men want to be respected,
not made to feel stupid
22:19.337 --> 22:20.572
or incompetent.
22:20.639 --> 22:24.242
And if you'll do your best to show your husband respect,
22:24.309 --> 22:28.947
and persevere in that, you
also may be surprised to see
22:29.014 --> 22:33.318
how his care and love for
you will grow and flourish.
22:33.385 --> 22:37.055
This dynamic is explained
by the author and marriage
22:37.122 --> 22:40.258
counselor Emerson Eggerichs.
22:40.325 --> 22:41.860
As he explains it:
22:41.927 --> 22:46.565
"Often, we focus on our own needs and simply overlook the
22:46.631 --> 22:48.467
needs of the other person.
22:48.533 --> 22:52.604
The wife needs love; she is not trying to be disrespectful.
22:52.671 --> 22:56.575
The husband needs respect; he
is not trying to be unloving.
22:56.641 --> 23:00.645
Once you grasp this basic
principle--that the 'issue'
23:00.712 --> 23:04.983
is not the real issue at all--
you are on your way to cracking
23:05.050 --> 23:07.018
the communication code."
23:07.085 --> 23:09.588
It's straight from the Scripture--right out of
23:09.654 --> 23:10.756
the book of Ephesians.
23:10.822 --> 23:11.623
So try it.
23:11.690 --> 23:12.591
Test it.
23:12.657 --> 23:14.693
You might be surprised
at the results.
23:14.760 --> 23:18.430
Again, let me pause to offer
you this powerful study guide
23:18.497 --> 23:21.433
that can help you make
your marriage better.
23:21.500 --> 23:24.870
It's entitled, God's
Plan for Happy Marriage.
23:24.936 --> 23:28.240
In it, Dr. Roderick Meredith explains the importance
23:28.306 --> 23:32.410
of "heartfelt communication," "marriage means giving,"
23:32.477 --> 23:36.047
and notes how important it
is to "learn to forgive."
23:36.114 --> 23:39.284
Your marriage is the most important relationship
23:39.351 --> 23:40.452
in your life.
23:40.519 --> 23:43.488
Isn't it worth the time to
think about and study how
23:43.555 --> 23:45.123
to make it work better?
23:45.190 --> 23:46.491
You need this resource.
23:46.558 --> 23:48.894
Just call, click or
write today, for
23:48.960 --> 23:51.196
God's Plan for Happy Marriage.
23:51.263 --> 23:52.097
Order now.
23:52.164 --> 23:53.031
♪
23:53.098 --> 23:59.671
For today's free
offer call...
23:59.738 --> 24:05.210
Or go to...
24:05.277 --> 24:08.446
This clear and straight-
forward resource will
24:08.513 --> 24:10.782
help you understand
this vital truth--
24:10.849 --> 24:13.919
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
24:13.985 --> 24:16.087
If you're calling
for the first time,
24:16.154 --> 24:19.024
you will also receive a
free annual subscription to
24:19.090 --> 24:20.926
Tomorrow's World magazine.
24:20.992 --> 24:24.596
Six inspiring issues
discussing news, science,
24:24.663 --> 24:27.432
and modern culture will
help you make sense of
24:27.499 --> 24:30.869
your world from a
biblical perspective.
24:30.936 --> 24:33.939
Call today and join
millions around the world
24:34.005 --> 24:36.541
who are turning to
Tomorrow's World for
24:36.608 --> 24:42.113
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
24:42.180 --> 24:43.515
Call now!
24:43.582 --> 24:47.686
Or go to...
24:47.752 --> 24:52.691
♪
24:52.757 --> 24:55.660
We've covered three
vital keys to building
24:55.727 --> 24:57.362
a better marriage.
24:57.429 --> 25:00.365
Of course, these most
apply to someone married.
25:00.432 --> 25:03.468
But as I said at the beginning, today's program is for the
25:03.535 --> 25:05.237
unmarried as well.
25:05.303 --> 25:06.538
So, what do I mean?
25:06.605 --> 25:09.441
In the final segment of
our program, I'll answer
25:09.507 --> 25:10.542
that question.
25:10.609 --> 25:13.445
And that brings us to
our final key, that is:
25:13.511 --> 25:17.716
4. The Church Will
Marry Christ.
25:17.782 --> 25:20.151
Let's go back to
Ephesians to see this.
25:20.218 --> 25:23.188
As Paul was giving instructions to husbands and wives,
25:23.255 --> 25:25.690
he explained the overall
purpose of marriage.
25:25.757 --> 25:28.360
Notice Ephesians 5:32...
25:28.426 --> 25:31.696
"This is a great mystery,
but I speak concerning
25:31.763 --> 25:33.798
Christ and the church."
25:33.865 --> 25:37.035
You see, marriage was not only designed to create stable and
25:37.102 --> 25:39.271
solid relationships in the home.
25:39.337 --> 25:42.741
It actually serves as a model for us to understand our
25:42.807 --> 25:44.643
relationship with Christ.
25:44.709 --> 25:48.747
It's God's purpose that we,
as faithful servants of God,
25:48.813 --> 25:51.616
can become part of
the Bride of Christ,
25:51.683 --> 25:53.952
to marry Him at His return.
25:54.019 --> 25:57.756
This is explained in
Revelation 19:7...
25:57.822 --> 26:01.426
"'Let us be glad and rejoice
and give Him glory,
26:01.493 --> 26:04.763
for the marriage of the
Lamb has come, and His wife
26:04.829 --> 26:06.498
has made herself ready.'
26:06.564 --> 26:09.534
And to her it was granted
to be arrayed in fine linen,
26:09.601 --> 26:13.471
clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts
26:13.538 --> 26:14.839
of the saints."
26:14.906 --> 26:17.909
Marriage is not just about
having good families in
26:17.976 --> 26:19.077
the here and now.
26:19.144 --> 26:22.781
It serves as a roadmap for
us to fulfill our destiny
26:22.847 --> 26:26.251
to be in God's Kingdom
and to marry Christ.
26:26.318 --> 26:28.453
God created marriage.
26:28.520 --> 26:32.357
And not just as a physical
institution but as a reflection
26:32.424 --> 26:34.659
of our relationship
with our Savior.
26:34.726 --> 26:39.698
We must make a commitment to
Him as our living, loving God.
26:39.764 --> 26:43.435
And we must give our lives
completely to God and Christ
26:43.501 --> 26:45.904
in humble obedience.
26:45.971 --> 26:49.641
But not only that, if we're faithful Christians in this age,
26:49.708 --> 26:53.411
we will have the chance to help rule the nations under Christ,
26:53.478 --> 26:54.546
in the Millennium.
26:54.612 --> 26:58.049
At that time, countless
millions of men and women
26:58.116 --> 27:02.287
will need to be taught how to live godly, fulfilling lives.
27:02.354 --> 27:06.057
The survivors of the Tribulation and the Day of the LORD,
27:06.124 --> 27:10.695
who live on into that glorious time as human beings, will
27:10.762 --> 27:14.766
learn, many for the first time, to really love one another.
27:14.833 --> 27:17.035
And to love their spouse.
27:17.102 --> 27:20.805
Better, stronger marriages
will be the hallmark of the
27:20.872 --> 27:22.507
Millennial reign of Christ.
27:22.574 --> 27:25.543
And you and I can be
there to assist Christ
27:25.610 --> 27:27.979
in making it happen.
27:28.046 --> 27:29.781
Thank you for watching.
27:29.848 --> 27:32.751
And don't forget to order your free copy of our study guide,
27:32.817 --> 27:35.020
God's Plan for Happy Marriage.
27:35.086 --> 27:38.089
And be sure to join us next
time, as Gerald Weston,
27:38.156 --> 27:40.992
Wallace Smith, and I
explain the Good news of
27:41.059 --> 27:44.562
Tomorrow's World, and the
truth, comfort and hope
27:44.629 --> 27:46.531
it can bring to you
and your family.
27:46.598 --> 27:47.766
See you next time.
27:47.832 --> 27:48.633
♪
27:48.700 --> 27:54.873
For today's free
offer call...
27:54.939 --> 27:59.778
Or go to...
27:59.844 --> 28:03.314
Call today and join millions around the world who are
28:03.381 --> 28:07.852
turning to Tomorrow's World
for truth, prophecy, and hope
28:07.919 --> 28:10.822
in these confusing times.
28:10.889 --> 28:13.091
The preceding program
is produced by the
28:13.158 --> 28:14.259
Living Church of God.
28:14.325 --> 28:24.769
♪