Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce: November 2021

Saturday, November 20, 2021

The sixth phenomenon of Christology- eternal life by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The sixth phenomenon of Christology that Christianity values the “eternal life”, “ζωὴν αἰώνιον”, “永生 (yiongˇsheng)” rather than the earthly things, rich in faith; affirm God’s provision, rest in God’s assurance, caring, and everlasting love. God’s assurance to them is “whosoever believeth in Christ, should not perish, but shall have eternal life” (John 3:16). In Chinese literally says, “信主得永生” (xinˋ zhuˇdeˊyiongˇsheng). In Greek says, “ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον”(3:15). Christians aware that anxiety, or worry about wealth block the enjoyment of Christ, and choke the word of God growth, it’s unfruitful. The value of eternal life enables them to forsake all things willingly in order to gain Christ.( by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 2015).

The sixth phenomenon of Christology is that Christianity values the “eternal life”, “永生 (yiongˇsheng)”,“ζωὴν αἰώνιον” rather than the earthly things. They are rich in faith; affirm God’s provision, rest in God’s assurance, caring, and everlasting love. God’s assurance to them is “whosoever believeth in Christ, should not perish, but shall have eternal life” (John 3:16). In Chinese literally says, “信主得永生” (xinˋ zhuˇdeˊyiongˇsheng). In Greek says, “ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον”(3:15). Christians aware that anxiety, or worry about earthly wealth or riches, it blocks the enjoyment of Christ, and choke the word of God growth, it results unfruitful. The value of eternal life enables them to forsake all things willingly in order to gain Christ.

In New Testament, Jesus’ prophetic messages unveil the pathway to the eternal life. When a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council came to Jesus in the night and asked for the hope of life. Jesus gave a clear instruction to Nicodemus that he must to be born again, and believe the Son of Man in order to have eternal life. As Jesus declared, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John3:15-16).

What is the meaning of ζωὴν αἰώνιον? The definition unveils in the Greek linguistic interpretation: “αἰώνιος” (aiṓnios, ahee-o'-nee-os) means “perpetual, (it used of past time, or past and future as well), eternal, forever, everlasting, world (began).The adjective, it describes the duration and it is used of that which in nature is endless, as of God (Rom16:26); His power (1Tim6:16); His glory (1Pet5:10); the Holy Spirit (Heb9:14); life of Christ (Jh3:16); the resurrection body (2Cor5:1); the future rule of Christ (2Pet1:11). ”[1] Therefore, according to the biblical views, “ζωὴν αἰώνιον” can be interpreted as eternal life, everlasting divine life, infinite everlasting life of Christ, immortal light of life, eternal glory of Christ, eternal spirit of God, or eternal heavenly dwelling.

There were four narrators Matthew, John, Luke, and Mark jot down the prophetic messages of Jesus appeared the similarity of pathway to receive the everlasting life in the Mt.19:16,:29; Mk10:17; Lk10:25, 6:9, 18:18; Jn3:15, 16, 36, 5:24, 6:35-40.

The first pathway is “come to Jesus, believe in Him”. As Jesus declared, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37) “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”(v.35). “I tell you the truth; he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.” (6:47).)

Second pathway is “eating the break of life, in other words, grow in the word of God.” As Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (v.51) the spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words, I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (v.63).

Third pathway is “be aware of Father’s will, and fulfill his commands”. What is the father’s will? Jesus indicated in John 6:37-40, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me and this is the will of him who sent me that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”(Jh.6:37-40).

Fourth pathway is “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”(v.27). Do not store up for your selves treasures on earth, rather store up the treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy. (Matt.6:16). Do not worry about the life, what shall eat or drink: or about the body, what shall wear, for life is more important than the food, and the body more important than clothes. Worry cannot add a single hour to man’s life, and these entire things Heaven father knows man’s needs, but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given to man as well. (Matt.6:25-34). Jesus’ lecture intends to cease disciples’ worry. He said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”(Matt.10:29-31). For the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word of God growth and it becomes unfruitful.

There was a rich man, came to Jesus and asked, “What good thing I must do to get eternal life?” Jesus replied, “do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. And sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matt.19:18-21). The rich man heard this; he walked away sadly, because he had great wealth. This is the reason Jesus said, “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.19

:23).“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields of my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt.19:29)

When Jesus’ lecture about the eternal life, and unveiled he is the breath of life. Many disciples’ reactions were grumbling among themselves, for it’s too hard to understand and majority of disciples walked away from Jesus. There were only twelve did not leave. Therefore, Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” (Jh.6:65). There was only Simon Peter realized that Jesus have the words of eternal life. And believes in him he shall have eternal life. As he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jh6:68).

Moreover, Soul, a persecutor had experienced the life transforming and became Apostle Paul after he met the Jesus. As he stated, “Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ, what is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for those sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil.3:7-8, 14, 20-21).

Christians believe the transfiguration of their body is the ultimate consummation of God’s salvation. In His salvation God first regenerated their spirit (John3:6), then transforming their soul and consummately will transfigure their body. The transfiguring of their body is accomplished by the Lord’s great power, which subjects all things to Himself (Eph.1:19-22) and making Christians the same as Christ in all three parts of their being. “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body therefore it is written: The first man Adam became a living being, the last Adam a life giving spirit.” (1 Cor.16:44-45). So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.(1Cor.16:42-43). “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality.” When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”(1Cor.16:53-54).

For this reason, Christians rest in the ultimate consummation of God’s salvation, and God’s assurance, caring, and everlasting life which is the transfiguration and resurrection bodies, the splendor of heavenly dwelling. Christianity is aware of anxiety or worry of earthly wealth comes from Satan, it disturbs the believers’ life of living Christ, it blocks the enjoyment of God as salvation and chokes the Word of God growth in their spiritual life. Therefore, mature Christians’ lives appear to be full of joy, confidence, and rest and produce the fruits of spirit. In nothing to be anxious, for Christians believe that in all things by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let the requests be made known to God and let the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:6-7).

The assurance of eternal life, “ζωὴν αἰώνιον”, “永生 (yiongˇsheng)” makes the Christology phenomenon from the early church age to this generation. This affirmation and realization enables mature Christians broadly say, “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.” (Phil.3:8) “But not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil 3.12). “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ( Phil.3:13-14). “I have learned to be content whatever circumstances... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil.4:11-13). Christians hold forth the word of life, and run the race, so that in the day of Christ, they did not run in vain nor labor in vain. This faith realization develops the sixth phenomenon of Christology that Christianity values the eternal life rather than the earthly things, they are rich in faith; affirm God’s provision, rest in God’s assurance, caring, and everlasting love. God’s assurance to them is “whosoever believeth in Christ, should not perish, but shall have eternal life” (John 3:16). In Chinese literally says, “信主得永生” (xinˋ zhuˇdeˊyiongˇsheng). In Greek says, “ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐν αὐτῷ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον”(3:15). And Christians aware that anxiety, or worry about earth wealth, riches, it chokes the word of God growth, and blocks the enjoyment of Christ, it results unfruitful. The value of eternal life enables them to forsake all things willingly in order to gain Christ. This controversial practice and faith makes Christianity different, it’s worthy to this new generation to learn and discover the phenomenon of Christology.

[1] James Strong, Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible.(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010),10.

The 1st & 2nd Phenomenon of Christology by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce (M.D...

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The first phenomenon of Christology is to forsake racial prejudice and avoid gender social convention sway, to embrace justice, truth, righteousness, and pursue equality, and produce the fruits of spirit. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce2015)

What is the phenomenon of Christology? Why people draw themselves toward its precepts? Have you ever wondered about it and discover the unique of Christology? The textual content of this book will unveil the Jesus’ controversial social convention, ritual and experiment, which has developed the phenomenon of Christology and characteristic of being Christianity in this new era.

The first phenomenon of Christology is to forsake racial prejudice and avoid gender social convention sway, to embrace justice, truth, righteousness, and pursue equality, and produce the fruits of spirit. According to Jewish traditional ritual, Jews do not associate with Samaritans. “The Samaritans were descendants of colonists whom the Assyrian kings planted in Palestine after the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 721 B.C. They were despised by the Jews because of their mixed Gentile blood and their different worship which centered at Mountain Gerizim.” [1] In Jesus’ era, Jews viewed Samaritans as ceremonially unclean, quasi-Gentiles. To share a cup with a Samaritan would make a Jew unclean. Jews regarded Samaritans as an inferior people and conversations between unmarried men and women were socially inappropriate. In New Testament John 4:7-26, Jesus demonstrated a social convention which contradicted with Jewish ritual. Instead of isolated Samaritan woman, he asked her, “Will you give me a drink?”(v.7). When she questioned about who He is? Jesus disclosed himself as coming Messiah (called Christ) He said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (v.10)…everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water, welling up to eternal life.” (v.13). Samaritan woman believed in coming Messiah (called Christ) is coming, yet, she wasn’t aware that Jesus is he. Ultimately, Jesus affirmed, “I who speak to you am he.”(v.26) and Samaritan woman restored the spiritual eyesight to worship the Lord in spirit and truth.

In these passages implicit the reason why people attract to Christology in this era? For it is controversial with tradition Jewish ritual, yet, it develops a precise manner of Christianity. In another words, it defies the Christianity precisely. The first phenomenon and unique of Christology is to forsake the racial prejudice and avoid gender social convention sway. Learn to embrace justice, truth, righteousness, and pursue equality, and produce the fruits of spirit.

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The second phenomenon of Christology is emphasis on the “heart” of worshipping rather than the location. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 2015)

The second phenomenon of Christology is emphasis on the “heart” of worshipping rather than the location. There is controversial worship place between Jews and Samaritans. Jews’ worship and sacrifice place was emphasis on the mount Zion in Jerusalem while Samaritans was Mount Gerizim. Jews regarded Samaritans as an inferior people and conversations between unmarried men and women were socially inappropriate. A Samaritan woman came to a well on the Socotra Island Yemen to draw water, by speaking to her; Jesus was challenging the Jews tradition ritual and racial prejudices of the day. (John 4: 7-26). Jesus broke the geographical and cultural boundaries that existed between the two communities, instead of isolating Samaritans, He enlightened the Samaritan woman that the true worshipper is to worship in spirit and in truth. In another words, it is about “heart” worshipping rather than the location. He stated, “ a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks”(John 4:21-23). This narrative ended in a remarkable testimony among the Samaritans and affirmed Jesus was coming Messiah as John 4:42 says, “… Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. Salvation reaches to the nations requests Jesus Christ as suffering Messiah cross over the geographical and cultural boundaries that existed between two communities and nations. To receive the salvation, we may need to look beyond the old Jewish tradition ritual cross over to a new experiment and perspective of Jesus’ ritual. This make Christology consist a phenomenal and potential pathway to leads Jews and Gentiles into new era - heart of worshipping as one.

[1] Charles C Ryrie. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV), (Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986).

The fifth Phenomenon of Christology- God is love by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The third phenomenon of Christology is to develop the gift of forgiveness. Christology lights up the phenomenon of forgiveness through the Jesus’ crucifixion. The greatest divine power and healing comes from the gift of forgiveness, it convicted Judas’ betrayal sins, it healed the Malchus’ ear, it restored Peter as disciple, and it vindicated Jesus as Son of God. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce2015)

The third phenomenon of Christology is to develop “the gift of forgiveness”. Christology lights up the phenomenon of forgiveness through the Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The greatest divine power and healing comes from the gift of forgiveness, it convicted Judas’ betrayal sins, it healed the Malchus’ ear, it restored Peter as disciple and it vindicated Jesus as Son of God. In Greek literary interpretation ἄφεσις (aphesis) means “forgiveness” or “pardon”, or of sins “letting go as if they had never been committed” or “release from bondage”, or “remission of the penalty”. In English literary interpretation forgiveness means “to give up resentment of”. In Chinese literary views “赦’免”(se' mianˇ) means “原諒”(yuaň̌ lianˋ). Jesus’ lecture and experiment developed the phenomenon characteristic of Christology which is forgiveness. The greatest divine power and healing comes from the gift of forgiveness. It is the greatest medicine to heal the sickness and restores the weary and hurting heart. The gift of forgiveness convicted Judas’ betrayal sins, healed the Malchus’ ear, and restored Peter as disciple, most important, it vindicated Jesus as Son of God.

Jesus faced Judas who betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver, Jesus neither rebuked him nor fled, he pardoned him by said, “Do what you came for, friend” (Matt.26:50).When Peter used a sword, struck the high priest’s slave named Malchus and cut off his right ear, instead of pleased what Peter did, Jesus rebuked him, “put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”(John18:11) then, he healed Malchus’ ear miraculously.

The most trustworthy disciple Peter who explicitly denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice, “I do not know this man you’re talking about.” (Mark14:71-72). When Jesus was falsely condemned, assaulted, and stuck by the guards. Jesus looked at his favorite disciple painfully, yet, he pardoned Peter’s denial behavior. Jesus appeared to him again after His resurrection, to restore Peter’s faith and assigned him to be faithful servant and feed His sheep. (John21:17).

Jesus faced His persecutor only rebuked him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecute me?” being the suffering Messiah, Christ Jesus not only forgave Saul, also healed his blind eyes, restored his vision, and trained him to be disciple in order to proclaim the good news. These historical narrative developed Christianity a phenomenon ritual which is “forgiveness”, “ἄφεσις”, “赦’免”.

Christology lights up the phenomenon of forgiveness through the Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus had gone through the cruelest physical abused and tortured by the soldiers, rejected by Jews, betrayed by His own disciples, falsely condemned by authorities and forsake by God in the last hour. He cried out aloud anguished voice: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt.27:46). Before Jesus gave up his spirit in the final hour, he didn’t hold hatred against those who were abusers and killers, he pardoned their sins by said, “Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke23:34), “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”(Luke23:46). The powerful gift of forgiveness vindicated Jesus as Son of God. At the moment of his death, an earthquake spit open stone tombs around Jerusalem. (Matt.27:52) And in the temple Jerusalem, the curtain that separated off the Holy of Holies was torn in two. Jesus experienced the moment of forsakenness; yet, his forgiveness and sacrificial love regained the eternal hope for all mankind, and exposed undeniable evidence that God raised him from death in the third days, which vindicated that Jesus is Christ -God’s Messiah.

The third phenomenon of Christology- “the gift of forgiveness” does applicable to this new generation regardless Jews or Gentiles. For we all may have been through the same experiment (or scenarios) as Jesus that our love one, or trustworthy followers betrayed us, or we may be falsely condemned, or assaulted, or abused by the authorities. Jesus’ lecture clearly instructs us that if there is a brother who sin against us, we shall forgive him not only seven times, but seventy seven times. It may not easy to let go all the hurts, pains or resentment, but by the powerful prayers and fasting, the divine light will empower us and reminds us, “God is love…”, “…love never record the wrong that have been done... always protect, always hope, always trust, always preserve, love endures forever.” (1Cor.13:4-7). In another word, the word of God will penetrate our soul and spirit to act spiritually rather than flesh. When there is no any medicine in this world can cease our pains and hurts, perhaps we need the gift of forgiveness. The gift of forgiveness may ease our pains. To restore peaceful mind, calm our heart, relieve from resentment, try to apply the gift of forgiveness into our daily life, and learn from suffering Messiah Jesus Christ to pardon those mockers, abusers and killers. Letting go all the bondage of sins as if they had never been committed, for Jesus had carried it all for us 2000 years ago, and we carry it no more. Each hurt, let God vindicates for us in His divine time, as Roman 12:20 says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink, in doing this, you will heap burning coats on his head.” (Rom.12:20). “If it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written: it is mine to avenge: I will repay.” (Rom.12:18-19). This made Christology phenomenon and lead this new era in to Jesus’ ritual and to be called sons of God.

The Third phenomenon of Christology- Gift of Forgiveness by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The fourth Phenomenon of Christology -Marital Covenant by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY

The fourth phenomenon of Christology emphasizes the Christ’s covenant is sacred, for Christ is äμωμος (amomos) without spot, faultless. Christianity’s marital covenant is holy, pure, and undefined. Bridegroom illustrates as Christ, Bride portrays as church, and it requires commitment and faithfulness to keep unity as one in all aspects: sacredly, ethically, and morally. All divorce breaks the covenant (promise) made at the time of marriage, and remarriage violates the pattern God established at creation when He made only one wife for Adam. Such high moral requisition and demands made Christianity’s marital covenant divine, integrity and uprightness. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce, 2015)

The fourth phenomenon of Christology emphasizes the Christ’s covenant is sacred, for Christ is äμωμος (amomos) as God’s sacrificial lamb, in a religious and moral sense blameless, without spot, faultless. Christianity’s marital covenant is holy, pure, and undefiled. For Bridegroom illustrates as Christ, Bride portrays as church and it requires commitment and faithfulness to keep unity as one in all aspects: sacredly, ethically, and morally. All divorce breaks the covenant (promise) made at the time of marriage, and remarriage violates the pattern God established at creation when He made only one wife (Eve) for Adam.

In Greek αγιος (hagios, hag-ee-os) means “sacred”, “blameless”, in physical sense means “pure”. In religious sense means “holy”, “Holy One”, “saints”. “In Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, it signifies separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred. It is predicated of God as the absolutely Holy One in His purity, majesty and glory.” [1] Christ is äμωμος (amomos) spotless, faultless and there was in Him no spot or blemish. He is holy, blameless, and pure.

In Greek “αμιαντος”(amiantos) literally interprets as “undefiled”, “free from contamination”[2] and is used of Christ. “Such a high priest meets our need one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Heb.7:26). “…He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”(Heb.7:27). Christ offered better sacrifices which accomplished for us an eternal redemption and the better blood of Christ. He, as High Priest offered a better covenant, the eternal son of the living God, and in the greater and more perfect tabernacle. The one who partakes Christ’s covenant must set apart for service, or worship of deity, and worthy of veneration. For the Lord’s covenant is sacred and undefiled.

Figuratively, in a religious, moral and marriage sense “αμιαντος” (amiantos) means “pure”[3]. In Chinese literally translates as “聖潔” (ShengˋJie´). In English literally interprets as “free from moral fault”. Christianity’s marital covenant must keep holy, pure, and undefiled, for Bridegroom symbolizes the Christ, and Bride portrays as Body of Christ (church). Christianity’s marriage is holy covenant; the marriage bed is required to be free from unlawful sexual intercourse. (Heb.13:4). The covenant requires not only in “oneness” and “unity”, it also demands faithfulness, and commitment to live in a life of worthy to be called sons of God or daughters of God.

In ancient’s day, during the 450 - 400 B.C. a prophet, Malachi indicated that the Lord’s covenant with Levites was the covenant of life and peace in Mal.2:5-9. And Levites were assigned by the Lord as priests also messenger of the Lord to teach the law of truth, yet, the Lord discovered their false lips and lies, and it caused people to stumble at the law. Therefore, the Lord made Levites to be despised and humiliated before all the people. The Lord said,

“My covenant was with him a covenant of life and peace. And I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many from sin... But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble, you Levi.” says the Lord Almighty. So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

In other words, the prophet Malachi implied that Levites’ “unfaithfulness”, false lips and lies was the reason caused them lost the covenant of blessing.

According to the Jewish ritual, once Israelites married, they cannot break the covenant of marriage, for it breaks faith. Some Israelites divorced wives were taken in youth, Levites was not faithful to the wife of their youth and violated their marriage covenant. The Lord urged them to be faithful, for the Lord hates devoice and against adulterers. He instructed, “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? Why do we profane (violate) the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another ?” (Mal.2:10). “The LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” (Mal.2:14).

The Lord instructed the purpose of marital covenant: two become one, why one? For the Lord seeks Godly offspring. Divorce removed the wife’s protection and all divorce breaks the covenant (promise) made at the time of marriage, and remarriage violates the pattern God established at creation when He made only one wife (Eve) for Adam. The Lord says,

“Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his, and why one? Because he was seeking Godly offspring, so guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “I hate divorce” says the Lord God of Israel, and I hate man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith.”(Mal.2:15-16).

In Book of Hosea, during the 750-715 B.C. God told Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea, and Hosea divorced his wife, but God told him to marry her again and urged her to be faithful. This narrative illustrates the pain God himself felt about his people: “for like an adulterous wife, this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord” (Hosea1:2). Israel is unfaithful against the Lord (Hosea13:9), God call them repented and returned to God, and he would restore to them all that had been destroyed. Israel need only return …to the Lord your God (Hosea13:9). And God will again love them freely (Hosea14:4). Both prophets Malachi and Hosea indicate that faithfulness is the key element to gain the Lord’s covenant of life and peace.

In New Testament, Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah explicitly stated the covenant of marriage in Matt.19:8-9; Luke16:18; Mark10: 2-12 and Matt.19:4-6. He said,

“At the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, ‘ for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matt.19:4-6).

Concerning divorce and remarriage, Jesus commanded as follows,

“It has been said, ‘anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matt.5:31). “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matt.19:8-9; Luke16:18; Mark10:2-12).

Jesus’ lecture of marital covenant was emphasis on the commitment, faithfulness, oneness, unity, holiness, pure, and undefined. He, furthermore, instructs, “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt.5:27-28). Such high moral requisition and demands made Christianity’s marital covenant divine and uprightness. Jesus’ rituals developed Christianity a doctrinal marriage covenant in the early church age that Bridegroom illustrated as Christ and Bride portrayed as church (the Body of Christ). The church as bride of Christ, “the church comes out of Christ, as Eve came out of Adam. (Gen.2-21-22). it has the same life and nature as Christ, and it becomes one with Him as His counterparts, as Eve became one flesh with Adam (Gen.2:24).”[4] In Jesus’ day, apostle Paul carried on the legacy of Christ Jesus, he presented his perspective of marital covenant as follows,

“Husbands must love wives as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word, He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things but that she would be holy and without blemish.” (Eph5:25-27). “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Heb.13:4).

The Bride and Bridegroom marital covenant from ancient’s day to Jesus’ era had laid significant precepts for his people to follow. And these precepts develops fourth phenomenon of Christology to this era to glimpse the Christ’s covenant is sacred, for Christ is äμωμος (amomos) without spot, faultless. Christianity’s marital covenant is holy, pure, undefiled, αμιαντος (amiantos), and 聖潔(shengˋJie´). For Bridegroom illustrates as Christ, Bride portrays as church, it requires commitment and faithfulness to keep unity as one in all aspects: sacredly, ethically, and morally. A single person, who decide to partake Bride and Bridegroom ’s marital covenant, he or she must fully commit and keep covenant with love and divine light without spot or blemish. Faithfulness is key point to gain the covenant of life and peace. For “the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children and with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.” (Ps.103:17-18). All divorce breaks the covenant (promise) made at the time of marriage, and remarriage violates the pattern God established at creation when He made only one wife for Adam. This is reason, we need to re-educate people in this era to embrace the phenomenon of Christology, for it leads our new generation into the sense of divine commitment in all aspects: ethically, morally and sacredly.

[1] James Strong. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010),3.

[2] Ibid,, 17.

[3] Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Analytical Ledicon of the Greek New Testament 1 st ed. Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005

[4] Witness Lee, The New Testament (R.V.) (Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry,1985), 886.