When God says, “I’ve had enough!”
by Robert McCurry
It is not a matter of if God will say, “I’ve had enough,” it’s just a matter of when
God will say, “I’ve had enough.” God’s Word tells us of a time when kings of the
earth, great men, rich men, chief captains, mighty men, bondman, and every free man
will hide themselves from “the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the
wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to
stand? (Rev 6:16, 17).
In the days of Noah God said, “I’ve had enough.” With the exception of Noah, his
family, and the animals aboard the ark, God destroyed the entire world--every man,
woman, child, and creature--in a flood. Why did God say, “I’ve had enough” and
impose such drastic measures of wrath and judgment upon His creation? God’s Word
provides the answer.
“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the
ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matt 24:37-39).
It is not a sin to eat and drink. Eating and drinking are necessary for the
preservation of man's life. But the people in Noah’s day did not eat and drink to live
they lived to eat and drink. This was their pursuit of life. They had their being for no
other end than to eat and drink. Life consisted of perpetual parties and banquets. They
indulged themselves in gluttony and drunkenness. Their philosophy was, “Come ye,
say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to
morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant” (Isa 56:12).
It is not a sin to marry. God originated and ordained marriage. Marriage is
necessary to the preservation of mankind. It is evident then that their “marrying and
giving in marriage” had violated God’s ordained, orderly way of marriage. They had
entered into unlawful marriages and followed a course of constant intemperance and
lust.
The Genesis record
The record of Noah’s day referred to by Jesus is found in Genesis six.
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth,
and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the
daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which
they chose. 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,
for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the
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sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to
them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And
GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it
repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at
his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from
the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the
fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them” (Gen 6:1-7).
There were fewer than two thousand years between the first and sixth chapter of
Genesis. There were only two seeds on the earth. First, there was the seed of Cain
who had been banished by God and excluded from the covenant blessing because he
had rejected God’s orderly way of obedience and worship and murdered his brother
Abel (Gen 4:15, 16). Interestingly Cain’s genealogy (Gen 4:17-24) is not a part of
Adam’s genealogy (Gen 5:1-32). Second, there was the Godly, covenant seed of Seth.
The “daughters of men” were Cain’s seed line and the “sons of God” were Seth’s
seed line.
Although many of Cain’s seed no doubt married within their own seed line and
many of Seth’s seed no doubt married within their own seed line, the record states
clearly that the two seeds intermarried. But the problem was greater than just the
intermarriage between the seed lines of Cain and Seth. Marriage had lost its
sacredness and permanence. Divorce and remarriage were rampant. God’s ordained,
orderly way of marriage became so violated that the earth was filled with violence
(Gen 6:11, 13).
God’s ordained and orderly way of marriage
God created Adam and Eve at the same time. Eve was created in Adam. (Gen
2:26-28). God took Eve out of the side of Adam and builded a woman and presented
her to Adam (Gen 2:18, 21-24). They were one flesh. It was Adam and Eve not Adam
and Steve. God made no spares for Adam and Eve in the event they later decided, for
whatever reason, they wanted to dissolve the marriage and go their separate ways.
There were no disillusion clauses in this marriage. It was one man for one woman and
one woman for one man. It was a marriage “until death do us part.” This was God’s
ideal original building block for marriage.
But in less than two thousand years man had abandoned God’s ideal original
building block and marriage was perverted and in shambles. They were “marrying
and giving in marriage.” Marriage, divorce, and remarriage were a revolving door. As
a result of the breakdown of marriage and the family, the earth was “filled with
violence” (Gen 6:11, 13). They eventually passed the point of no return. God’s ideal
original building block had been so perverted and broken that God in essence said,
“I’ve had enough. I’m not going to repair this mess. I’m going to destroy the whole
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earth.” And He did. But not until after Noah, a righteous man, preached repentance
for one hundred twenty years. The people refused to hear, believe, and repent. One
day God shut the door to the ark, and a world that refused to listen didn’t even know
what happened “until the flood came and took them all away” (Matt 24:39).
It’s about to happen again.
The message of Jesus concerning divorce and remarriage
Jesus said, “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her
a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his
wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and
whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery” (Matt 5:31-32).
In Matthew 19:3-9 Jesus spoke about marriage, divorce and remarriage:
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?
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,
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?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away?
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.
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.
God does not say that He hates divorced people, but God does say that He hates
divorce.
Malachi 2:14 – “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness
between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously:
yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore
one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none
deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one
covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to
your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
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17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we
wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the
LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?”
A brief overview of marriage, divorce, and remarriage
In the first place God ordained and established marriage. It was one man for one
woman and one woman for one man. There was no option or provision for divorce
(Gen 2:24). It was an “Until death do us part” relationship.
In the next place man had so irreparably violated God’s ordained purpose and
function of marriage by Noah’s day that God in essence said, “I’ve had enough. I’m
not going to fix this mess.” With the exception of Noah and his family and the
animals aboard the ark, God destroyed the entire world with a flood (Gen 6:1-8).
In the third place Jesus warned that the sins of Noah’s day would be repeated in
the last days (Matt 24:37-39). We have arrived.
Fourth, Jesus said, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to
put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so” (Matt 19:8).
Fifth, Jesus said concerning divorce, “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” (Matt 19:9).
Sixth, God says that he hates putting away; that is, God hates divorce (Malachi
2:14-16).
A fivefold appeal for God’s orderly way in Christian marriage
One, the Bible teaches that marriage is an earthly object lesson of the heavenly
relationship of Christ and His Church (Eph 5:22-32); that is, the husband represents
Christ, and the wife represents the Church.
Two, the Christian marriage ceremony is symbolic of Christ and His Church,
particularly the bride and groom. Paul said, “For I am jealous over you with godly
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste
virgin to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2). Note: The bride is to be a “chaste virgin” -- a maiden;
by implication, an unmarried daughter. That is, “I promised you to one husband, to
Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.” The bride as a pure
virgin saves her love for one man only, for the one who will be her husband. Jesus
said in Matthew 19:9, "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."
Three, this symbolic image of the purity of the Lord’s Church is to be reflected in
the public Christian marriage ceremony when a bride represents and presents herself
as “a pure virgin that saves her love for one man only, for the one who will be her
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husband.” This symbolic image of Christ and His Church is misrepresented and
marred when the bride or groom have been divorced.
Four, every participant and attendee at a Christian marriage ceremony is a
confirming and approving witness that the marriage ceremony they are witnessing
truly reflects the biblical symbolic image of Christ and His Church. Therefore, a
Christian’s participation in or attendance at a Christian marriage ceremony that
misrepresents and mars this biblical symbolic criterion of Christ and His Church
dishonors Christ.
Five, the public Christian marriage ceremony is a sacred ceremony. It is here that
the groom and bride exchange covenantal promises with one another and make vows
to God that is to continue “until death do us part.” God says of the marriage
relationship, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt 19:6). It is clear. A subsequent
divorce disqualifies them from another public Christian marriage ceremony.
Unfortunately, some Christians do end their marriage in divorce, and the majority
of divorced Christians remarry. Thankfully, many Christians that remarry after
divorce understand that there are certain restrictions that follow divorce and they do
not, therefore, expect a public Christian marriage ceremony. There are marriage
ceremony options available for those who choose to remarry.
Cleaving and putting asunder
The word cleave means to glue, to stick, to adhere firmly and closely or loyally
and unwaveringly. The word implies permanence.
The word asunder means all to pieces, one part from the other, to shred. To put
asunder is to tear. The same Greek word for asunder is used in Acts 1:18,: “Now this
man [Judas] purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he
burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.”
It is God that joins together in marriage. The two are one flesh. It is impossible to
separate one flesh. But it is possible for one flesh to be torn, cut and, broken asunder
by divorce.
It is God that commands that marriage not be put asunder--torn, cut, or broken
apart.
Divorce hurts, but it does more than hurt. It causes anguish, anger, animosity, and
bitterness in the spirit and emotions of the spouses, children, extended families, and
friends. Divorce is one tragedy that is worse than death. It never ends.
Marriage, divorce, remarriage, and violence
There are ever-increasing reports of meaningless, senseless violence wreaking
havoc in every segment of our society. This writer has observed that most
perpetrators of this violence are products of divorce. More and more adults are
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walking the treadmill of divorce and remarriage, some multiple times. Many divorced
people are merely shacking-up. Children and teenagers are either living in a singleparent home (single as the result of divorce) or living in a home with a step-parent.
But the violence that makes news merely serves as a cover for the mass of unreported
violence.
The violence in Noah’s day was caused by divorce and remarriage. Divorce and
remarriage is the root cause of most of today’s anguish, anger, animosity,
bitterness, and violence.
Churches and weddings
Pastors and churches have long served as guardians of the sacred institution of
Christian marriage. They have so served by ascertaining that weddings performed
under their auspices and direction meet the Biblical criteria and properly represent the
image of Christ and His Church. For example, neither bride nor groom is divorced;
both bride and groom are Christians with credible testimonies; all activities including
music, ceremony, and reception are in keeping with God’s Word and orderly way.
Until recently, Bible-believing pastors were so committed to the integrity and
permanence of marriage that they would not perform a wedding for divorced persons-publicly or privately. Pastors and churches would never participate in a church
wedding if they knew the couple had been cohabiting, the bride was pregnant, the
bride had birthed children outside of marriage, or the groom had fathered children
outside of marriage. But those are yesterday’s standards. More and more pastors and
churches today are abandoning the old paths and church weddings have few, if any,
restrictions. How sad. Why this departure from God’s Word and orderly way? One
word tells it all: Accommodation.
Church weddings involving divorced people are a recent phenomenon. Of course,
there is no verse in the Bible that says, “Divorced people cannot get married in a
church building.” But neither is there a verse in the Bible that says, “Sodomites
cannot get married in a church building.” Unfortunately, sodomites are now
demanding their “rights” and an increasing number of pastors are performing “samesex marriages” in churches. The Georgia Southern Baptist Convention withdrew
fellowship from two Southern Baptist Churches in 1998 for performing and/or
sanctioning such ‘marriages.’ Yes, many things have changed in many churches in
recent years in order to accommodate the whims and lusts of today’s people--a people
who do what is right in their own eyes. But God’s Word has not changed, and it will
not change.
When the Bible talks about “church” it is not talking about a building; it is
referring to the Church that Christ purchased with His blood. This Church consists of
Christ’s redeemed people in a local, visible assembly of people of which Jesus Christ
is Lord and Head. Although there were no church buildings for over one hundred
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years after the resurrection of Christ, the Lord’s Church did assemble to worship and
study God’s Word. Today the Lord’s Church meets to worship in buildings that are
called “churches.” But in reality these “church buildings” are not “churches”--they
are merely “church buildings” that have been sanctified and dedicated as a place for
the Lord’s Church to assemble.
Today, a “church building” is synonymous with the Lord’s Church, God and the
Bible in the minds of many people. Therefore, whatever message is proclaimed and
whatever activities are carried on in a church building -- including weddings -represent God and the Bible in their minds. Of course, it is true that the message
proclaimed and the activities carried on in a church building may not truly represent
God and the Bible. Nevertheless, it is true that the message proclaimed and the
activities carried on in a church building do represent and portray what the Church
believes, approves, sanctions, promotes, and recommends that other people believe,
approve, sanction, promote, and practice.
Responding to the crisis
All of the teachings of God’s Word on marriage, divorce, and remarriage
notwithstanding, it is a fact that an ever-increasing number of people, including
Christians, are divorcing and remarrying. Sadly, some are now divorcing and
remarrying multiple times. Among the many factors contributing to this divorce
epidemic are: One, neglect by the Church in scripturally preaching and teaching on
the subject of divorce and remarriage, and two, “no-fault” divorce laws in all 50
states. Some states are now considering the repeal of these “no-fault” laws and
indicate they will be replaced with tougher and more restrictive divorce laws.
Only the Lord’s Church can provide the truth and solution to the rapidly increasing
divorce epidemic. But this will happen only when the Church and Christians choose
to agree with God about divorce. Divorce violates God’s Word and orderly way. God
hates divorce. We must hate what God hates. The sin of divorce must be
acknowledged, confessed, repented of, and forsaken. Of course, God will forgive the
sin of divorce if and when the terms of His Word are met.
The past cannot be relived and, generally speaking, the past cannot be changed.
And let’s face it. The combined efforts of the Church and the legislature will never
completely eliminate divorce under the best of circumstances. But since divorce is
first and foremost a spiritual issue and not principally a legal problem, the Church
must provide the leadership to stop the hemorrhaging and minimize the damages of
divorce in the future.
Christians who have divorced and/or divorced and remarried are not offended by
nor do they object to and resent Scriptural preaching on these subjects if they have
truly dealt with the subject in obedience to God’s Word. Rather, they will joyfully
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accept such preaching as a springboard of praise and rejoicing that God has extended
His grace and forgiveness to them.
Old paths and old landmarks
What I have set forth here has been the historic teaching and practice of Biblebelieving pastors, churches, and the Christian community at large until recent times.
It is what I was taught by my pastors. It is what I was taught in Bible school. It is
what I have taught and preached during my sixty-four years of Gospel ministry,
including what I taught, preached, and practiced during my more than fifty years as
pastor of the same church.
It was not until recent times that some preachers and churches began departing
from God’s Word and orderly way on the subject of divorce and remarriage. This
departure has not taken place because God and His Word have changed. It has taken
place in order to accommodate the rapidly deteriorating moral and spiritual fabric of
contemporary society--a society that has less and less respect for God, His Word, and
His orderly way in reference to marriage covenants between bride and groom,
marriage vows to God, divorce, and divorce and remarriage. Times change. People
change. Religions change. Pastors change. Churches change. But God and His Word
never change. There is no variableness, neither shadow of turning with God; and His
Word is forever settled in heaven (James 1:17; Ps 119:89). I welcome any truth that
will demonstrate that the position stated herein is biblically untrue and/or defective.
Where we must go from here
Not everyone reading this message is divorced or divorced and remarried. At least,
I hope not. However, everyone reading this article has been exposed to and affected
by divorce or divorce and remarriage either by parents, grandparents, child, sibling,
extended family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor.
Divorce and divorce and remarriage know no social, economic, family, or
religious restraints and boundaries. It is now pervasive in the culture at large. Sadly, it
is reported that more ‘Christians’ than non-Christians are now leading this trend. A
tragic spin-off of this divorce and divorce and remarriage tragedy is that an increasing
number of ‘Christian’ and non-Christian couples alike are circumventing ‘divorce’ by
avoiding biblical marriage—choosing rather ‘cohabitation’—a New Age word for
‘shacking up’.
Where do we go from here as a nation? Biblical restraints have crumbled and biblical
conviction has diminished. The national divorce and divorce and remarriage phenomenon has
surpassed flood stage. Humanly speaking, ‘Things are so broken, they can’t be fixed.’
Biblically speaking, God and His Word are the remedy for the future.
Where do we go from here as individuals? First, as far as the past is concerned, ‘things
are so broken they can’t be fixed’ for many divorced people. That is, there are often a
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multiplicity of factors that prevent a reconciliation and restoration of some divorced couples.
But this does not mean that the past is to be forgotten; the initiator of the divorce 1) must
agree with God and His Word by acknowledging, confessing, and repenting for initiating
what God says He hates—God hates divorce (Malachi 2:14-17); 2) violating the “Until
death do us part” marriage vow; 3) whenever possible, apologies must be made and
forgiveness sought of everyone that was adversely affected by the divorce. Of course, the
offending spouse that was the cause of a divorce being initiated has a corresponding biblical
responsibility to likewise obey God’s Word regarding his/her sin(s) and part in the marital
conflict and divorce.
Second, Christians who are divorced and divorced and remarried should be in agreement
with God’s Word and give no excuses or justification to others for their status; be Christ’s
Ambassadors in working to curtail and minimize further proliferation of this tragedy by
teaching their children and grandchildren this biblical truth; be a witness to others the truth
of God’s Word on this subject; appeal to others who are considering these avenues as an
option to ‘better their life’ to study, believe, and obey God’s Word.
A final word
Finally, Christians do not belong to themselves. “What? know ye not that your
body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor 6:19-20). “Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).
This article written by
Pastor Robert McCurry
605 Moore Rd
Newnan, GA 30263
Phone 770-251-1445
E-mail herbap@aol.com
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