INQUIRER: My question is about the sanctity of marriage or the sacredness of marriage. Because in this present time, I want to ask if... Isn't it is stated in the Bible that - "No man should separate two persons whom God put together." My question is - Now, why are there annulments, legal separations or void marriages?

BRO. ELI F. SORIANO (EFS): It is because we were introduced to a wrong religion. The sanctity of marriage is in the Bible. Let us read Hebrews 13:4 –

SIS LUZ CRUZ (LC): Marriage is honourable in all,

EFS: In the Revised Standard Version -

LC: Let marriage be held in honor among all

EFS: So, the sanctity of marriage mentioned by our sister is a Biblical concept. Marriage is sacred. Marrying is taking on responsibility. Not just for pleasure every night. That in the morning, you will quarrel because there is no food to eat. It cannot be – (Singing: Cherishing and hugging each other at night, embracing each other the whole night long. )…Can that be? You will get hungry, you will also tire. You will have bad breath if all night long you are... If you will not brush your teeth the next day, you will have bad breath. And if I were your husband, I will not kiss you anymore. Why? If your mouth stinks like a drainage that is closed for years. It is very... Sister, you know, getting married is not only for the flesh. The truth is, marrying is a sacred thing. In Hosea 2:19 –

LC: "And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD."

EFS: Do you want to marry that is in accordance with the will of the Lord? What you will share as husband and wife is not only in bed. It says - "I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, in judgment, in lovingkindness, in mercies, in faithfulness;" In English –

LC: “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD."

EFS: You see? There are five bonds that will keep you in inseparable condition. What are those? Righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercies and faithfulness. And that will be a forever relation. Have you noticed Hosea 2:19 ? “I will betroth thee unto me for ever;…” So, marriage, in terms of the flesh - “Until death, do you part.” I have one thing to share with you, sister. That's what many pastors do not understand. The statement - "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." It has a deeper meaning. That is not marriage in the flesh. Let us read Ephesians 5:30 -

LC: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 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. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church."

EFS: That is clear, right? What is referred to as put together by God which man should not put asunder, is a great mystery. The Bible refers to the relationship of Christ and the Church. So, Christ and the Church are two inseparable entities. Christ and the Church were put together by God to be together until the end, until eternity. That's really what the Bible means.