WEDDING
RING
Do you
remember the ring engraved with “WWJD” – What Would Jesus Do?
Rings and Jewelry
·
For the most part rings are spoken of in a
POSITIVE WAY and nowhere in scripture is the wearing of rings specifically criticized.
– God seems to endorse the wearing of jewelry for His people and it appears to
be a common custom with no express command against it.
·
When the Israelites left
Egypt,
Moses told them to permanently borrow rings and jewelry from the
Egyptians which later God would readily receive to be used in the building of
the Temple. – There is no evidence that ownership of the pagan’s jewelry was
sinful.
·
After Joseph receive the
signet ring
from the Pharaoh, God continued to bless him.
·
When the prodigal son came
home,
the father put a ring on his hand signifying that he was a part of his
family.
·
Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for Isaac
and he gave to Rebekah a ring weighing a half shekel and put it in her
nose.
·
God called Israel blessed and used jewelry to
figuratively and symbolically show His love, devotion and commitment to Israel
and to make them attractive to other nations.
·
The king gave his signet
ring to Mordecai
giving him the symbol of power and authority.
·
There is no injunctions in the Mosaic Law against
wearing rings and other jewelry.
Exodus 12:35 – Moses said to ask for silver and gold
jewelry
35 The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for SILVER and GOLD JEWELRY and for clothing. (ESV)
35 The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for SILVER and GOLD JEWELRY and for clothing. (ESV)
Exodus 35:5 – God received Jewelry from the
Israelites
5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; (ESV)
5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; (ESV)
Genesis 41:42 – God blessed Joseph after he
received a ring
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. (ESV)
42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. (ESV)
Luke 15:22 - Put a ring on his hand
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Genesis 24:22-23 – Abraham’s servant gave a ring
to Rebekah
22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,
23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” (ESV)
22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,
23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” (ESV)
Genesis 24:47 - Ring on
Rebekah’s nose
47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. (ESV)
47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. (ESV)
Ezekiel 16:8-12 – Israel blessed with fine Jewelry;
Nose ring
8 … I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord GOD, and you became mine.
9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.
10 I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
11 And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.
12 And I put a RING on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. (ESV)
8 … I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord GOD, and you became mine.
9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil.
10 I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
11 And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.
12 And I put a RING on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. (ESV)
The Roots
·
The Bible is SILENT on the subject of the
wedding ring and there is not much evidence that rings have any Christian roots
or religious significance at all, but is a man-made custom; however, the Bible
has a lot to say about jewelry in general and rings would fall into that
category; so it will be hard to separate rings from jewelry. – So, what does God say?
·
God’s Law: In the land of Egypt and
in the land of Canaan to which I am bringing you, YOU SHALL NOT
DO AS THEY DO
and you shall NOT walk in their TRADITIONS or learn their CUSTOMS
or WAYS. – Do NOT be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. - Do NOT love the world or the things in the world. - For
all that is in this world — the desires of the flesh and the desires
of the eyes and the pride of life — is NOT FROM THE FATHER, but is
from the world.
·
In the first century, it was common for
wealthy Jews and Gentiles to wear several rings on their fingers as a sign of
their wealth. – This became a problem in the church with the rich being show
preferential treatment over the poor.
·
The early Christians AVOIDED the use of
wedding rings and other jewelry in obedience to the Bible scriptures which
commanded that women should not adorn themselves with Jewelry. – Marriage was
bound together by scripture, not by MAN-MADE rings – “What
therefore GOD has joined together, let no man separate”.
·
All kinds of human
reasoning
began to redefined scripture; “I am just displaying my marriage commitment” –
“Wedding bands indicate that I am no longer available” – “The rings keep other
men away”. – “In my culture, my wedding ring shows faithfulness”. – “The
wedding ring protects against infidelity” – “The ring is a sign that I am not
single nor divorced” – “A wrist watch is not actually jewelry, it has a
purpose; so does the wedding ring”.
·
Then it wasn’t long that more human
reasoning rejected God’s leadership in favor of BEING LIKE ALL THE OTHER
NATIONS and have a King.
·
By the 9th
Century
wedding rings had already found their way into Christian Wedding ceremonies.
·
In the 1950’s divorce was rare, but by
the 60’s we were in a sexual
revolution and divorce rates climbed radically. – Today divorce rates are about
the same for Christians as non-Christians.
·
By the 20th Century the wedding ring had lost
all its original meaning and now men and women do not even bother to take off
their wedding rings when they are sexually involved with someone other than
their spouse. – It is worn now so that OTHERS will believe that they are
faithful. – Many divorced people continue to wear their wedding bands. – Many
chose to just live together without any marriage. – In the 60’s it was called “Shacking
Up” as marriage and rings were looked on as a hypocritical symbol.
James 2:1-4 – Show no partiality to someone with
Gold Rings
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man wearing a GOLD RING and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2 For if a man wearing a GOLD RING and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
(ESV)
1 Timothy 2:9 – Women do not adorn yourselves in
Jewelry
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (ESV)
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (ESV)
1 Samuel 8:4-5 – We want to
be like the PAGAN nations
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us LIKE ALL THE NATIONS.” (ESV)
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us LIKE ALL THE NATIONS.” (ESV)
Leviticus 18:3-4 - You shall
not do as they do in Egypt & Canaan
3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.
4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. (ESV)
3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.
4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. (ESV)
Jeremiah 10:2-3 - Do not Learn
the CUSTOMS of the nation’s
2 Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the WAYS of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,
3 for the CUSTOMS of the peoples are vanity. (ESV)
2 Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the WAYS of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,
3 for the CUSTOMS of the peoples are vanity. (ESV)
Romans 12:2 - Do not be
conformed to this world
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(ESV)
1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love
the things in the world
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is NOT FROM THE FATHER but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (ESV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is NOT FROM THE FATHER but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (ESV)
Matthew 19:6 - What God has joined, let not man separate
6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (ESV)
6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (ESV)
Tradition
·
Symbolically, the hole in the center of
the ring was a portal, a gateway or door that would lead to events known and
unknown and the circle of the ring represented eternity with no beginning or
ending; symbolizing love that was immortal or eternal; endless
love, forever bonded in marriage. – However, this one thought does not line up
with the Bible which says that at death, the marriage is terminated and a
spouse can remarry.
·
The Ring was proof positive that
the woman was THE POSSESSION of another man.
·
The left hand was chosen since most
people were right handed and the left hand would take less abuse thus
protecting the ring. – The left was also considered the weaker side of the body
to indicate that the woman was weaker and SUBMISSIVE to the man.
·
The Ring finger became the third
finger with the MYTH that it contained a special blood vein that led
directly to a person’s heart.
·
For Men wedding rings did not
appear till around World War II when men shipping out would wear the ring to
remember their wives back home.
Romans 7:2 – Marriage is NOT eternal; but only unto
death
2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. (ESV)
2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. (ESV)
A little Background
·
The oldest recorded
exchange
of wedding rings seems to originate some 6,000 years ago in ancient Egypt where
pagan cultures braded or twisted reeds, rushes, hemp and sedge fibers into wedding
rings for the fingers.
·
As time moved on, the fragile grass was
replaced with leather, bone and at some point ivory. The more expensive the
material, the more love shown to the bride.
Later the material became a demonstration of the wealth of the giver.
·
The Romans picked up the idea and
made the ring out of iron called “Anulus Pronubus” which was common and
cheap and they were probably the first to place engravings upon it. The iron ring symbolized strength and permanence
and made it a SYMBOL OF OWNERSHIP.
·
The Wedding ceremony usually involved the
groom giving a large sum of money or a valuable object to the bride;
thus the ring became a dowry and made its transition from a signet ring to a betrothal
or engagement ring.
·
Arranged marriages were the norm and the
ring became the token or pledge to fulfill the marriage contract.
·
Side Bar – The oldest wedding ring
found had is origin in Babylon and was in the shape of a snake devouring
his tail forming a circle known as the Satanic “Ouroboros”. It represents the infinite cycle of nature’s
endless creation and destruction; life and death, birth and rebirth,
immortality, perpetual evolution, unity and infinity with no beginning and no
end. – It is used as a Good Luck OMEN to
ward off other men or women. – The origin of the wedding ring is rooted in
superstitions and pagan mythology which is borderline witchcraft.
·
The early Baptist, Methodist, Mennonites,
Seventh Day Adventist, Apostolic Pentecostals and the Holiness Movement all
rejected the Pagan Wedding Ring, in fact the majority of Early Christians did
not wear jewelry of any kind, noting that the pictures of idols were always wearing wedding rings, nose rings,
earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
·
From various pagan cultures the Man Made tradition of
the wedding ring has become a world-wide accepted symbol of a marriage
commitment. The Christian has embraced
it as a principal that “marriage is for life”.
Thus it begins
·
Now we are getting to the
place
where Jewelry can become a snare to the people, it can cause the people to
forget God. – It’s in the Book -
·
The Hebrews asked Aaron
for a god
and he told them to take off their RINGS and bring them to him and he made them
a golden calf to worship. – God and Moses were both wrought with anger.
·
What God had given them turned into a source
of PRIDE and Idolatry. - They took their
beautiful jewels of gold and silver which God gave them, and they made images
of men, and with them played the whore.
·
Jesus taught His followers to LIVE SIMPLY, to sell
their excess, help others with it and to not carry silver and gold, which is
opposite of King Saul who put
ornaments of Gold on the women.
·
God will strike out at the haughty woman with
their sexy tinkling walk, wearing finery and headbands, sashes, and Amulets,
Crescents and Anklets, Pendants and Bracelets, Rings and carrying mirrors to
check themselves out and “steal a glance” over their shoulders.
Exodus 32:2-4 Aaron took their rings and made a
golden calf
2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”
3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.
4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”
3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.
4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
(ESV)
Exodus 20:4 - Thou shalt
not make unto thee any graven image
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
(KJV)
Ezekiel 16:17 – You took jewelry and made images
17 You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and with them played the whore. (ESV)
17 You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and with them played the whore. (ESV)
Isaiah 3:16-26 – Anklets, Pendants, Bracelets,
Rings, Mirrors,
16 The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents;
19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
21 the signet rings and nose rings;
22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags;
23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
24 Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle.
26 and her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground. (ESV)
16 The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents;
19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
21 the signet rings and nose rings;
22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags;
23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
24 Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle.
26 and her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground. (ESV)
2 Samuel 1:24– King Saul put ornaments of gold on their clothes
24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. (ESV)
24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. (ESV)
Hosea 2:13 – Jewelry brought on paganism and they
Forgot God
13 And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baal’s when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her RING and JEWELRY, and went after her lovers and FORGOT ME, declares the LORD. (ESV)
13 And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baal’s when she burned offerings to them and adorned herself with her RING and JEWELRY, and went after her lovers and FORGOT ME, declares the LORD. (ESV)
Acts 2:44-45 - Sold their possessions and belongings – gave away
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (ESV)
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (ESV)
Acts 3:6 - I have no
silver and gold
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (ESV)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (ESV)
Inside Beauty
·
New Testament Scripture
teaches
men and women their emphasis on beauty should come from the inside with a gentle
and quiet spirit, with honorable conduct and good deeds
that glorify God, not from the outside that is adorned with costly clothes and
jewelry.
·
A man or woman who behaves in a
Christ-Like manner is recognized as someone who is different, that is “set
aside” and worthy of respect.
·
A woman dressed modestly sends a
SIGNAL to unbelievers a block away that she is dedicated to righteous living.
·
A man who speaks often
of his wife and children in a loving respectful way, sends a SIGNAL that wards
off the advances of immoral women. – For myself, I personally do not use “Terms
of Endearment” to other women and resent them when received. – I just don’t
like to be called “Sweet Cheeks”, Honey or Darling.
·
Side Bar; I was always amazed that
the girls from the holiness schools did not wear any makeup or jewelry, but
wore “see through” nylon blouses that you could see their bra; I guess this was letting their inner beauty
show through.
·
Where do we get the
examples
of the way we present ourselves; is it from our culture or from our Bible?
·
The Great Whore of Revelation is painted
as someone with costly clothes, GOLD, pearls and jewelry. – It’s in the Book -
1 Peter 3:3 – Do not let your adorning be external
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—(ESV)
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—(ESV)
1 Peter 3:4– Let your adorning be your hidden
person
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (ESV)
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (ESV)
1 Timothy 2:9 – Women should avoid gold, pearls
& costly attire
9 \likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, NOT with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (ESV)
9 \likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, NOT with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (ESV)
1 Peter 2:12 – Let your conduct be honorable with
good deeds
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)
Revelation 17:4 – The Great Whore adorned with
gold & pearls
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. (ESV)
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. (ESV)
The Seal
·
The Signet Ring of the King is a stamp
that imparts his mark and is used to SEAL a transaction; it is the sign
of his authority and ownership. The
Signet Ring is also symbolic of God our King sealing us with the HOLY
SPIRIT showing His authority and ownership.
·
The Seal of the Holy
Spirit
is placed upon the believer’s foreheads; in our minds and in our hearts
and those without His seal will perish. – There will COME A TIME when
believers will continue to believe and sadly, un-believers will continue to
not believe because they will no longer have the ability to
believe the truth and will perish. – It’s in the Book -
Esther 8:2-8 – The king’s signet ring gives
authority and power
2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.” (ESV)
2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.” (ESV)
Song of Songs 8:6 – I am the seal upon your heart
and arm
6 Set me as a SEAL upon your heart, as a SEAL upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. (ESV)
6 Set me as a SEAL upon your heart, as a SEAL upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. (ESV)
2 Timothy 2:19 – Those who are the Lords bear His
Seal
19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (ESV)
19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (ESV)
Revelation 7:2-3 – We are sealed by the living God
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the SEAL of the LIVING GOD, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,
3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have SEALED the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (ESV)
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the SEAL of the LIVING GOD, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea,
3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have SEALED the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (ESV)
Ephesians 1:13-14 – Our seal is a guarantee of our inheritance
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
Revelation 9:4 – Those without God’s seal will
perish
4 They were told not to HARM the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, BUT ONLY those people who DO NOT HAVE THE SEAL OF GOD on their foreheads.
4 They were told not to HARM the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, BUT ONLY those people who DO NOT HAVE THE SEAL OF GOD on their foreheads.
(ESV)
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – Believe delusion &
condemned, perish
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that ALL MAY BE CONDEMNED who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that ALL MAY BE CONDEMNED who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(ESV)
Revelation 22:11 – A time when everyone will
continue Evil or Good
11 Let the one who is doing
harm continue to do HARM; let the one who is vile continue to be VILE;
let the one who is RIGHTEOUS continue to live righteously; let the one
who is HOLY continue to be holy.”
(NLT)
Here’s where we are
·
If we want to please God, we should adorn
ourselves modestly in respectable apparel and try to be imitators of Jesus Christ. – It’s in the Book -
·
We bring Christmas Trees into our home and
decorate them in the spirit of love and giving even though there is no command
to celebrate the birth of Christ. - Christmas
trees are bound up in Christmas like fireworks is on the fourth of July. - Probable
95% of Believers do not know that the Bible says to not bring trees with lights
upon them into your home because they have a pagan origin. It never crosses their mind to worship a
tree.
·
We celebrate Easter because of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, but would we have second thoughts if someone told
us that the roots of Easter come from the “goddess of the East” whose name was “Eastre or Eostre” whose SYMBOL OF FERTILITY is
the Hare or Rabbit which somehow is able to lay eggs instead of having
a live birth. – Who in the world even
thinks about the “goddess of the East” and her rabbits? – GOOD GRIEF -
·
We exchange Wedding Rings in our culture because we
are showing our eternal love to someone whether we are Believes, non-Believers
or Make Believers. I don’t think any preacher has ever preached against
wedding rings because of its misuse or its pagan origin.
·
Here is what God says; some
think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is
alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is
acceptable. - Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor
him. Those who EAT any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since
they GIVE THANKS to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain
foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t
live for ourselves or die for ourselves. - If we live, it’s to honor the
Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or
die, we belong to the Lord.
·
Just for the Record; our salivation is not
Jesus plus a wedding ring, it is Jesus plus nothing else, and your choice to
wear or not wear a wedding ring is up to you with no condemnation.
·
The more important
decision is;
have you been stamped and sealed with the signet ring of Holy Spirit
which gives the promise of eternal Salivation. – Life is Choice Driven –
Jeremiah 10:2-4 – Do not cut down a tree and
decorate it
2 This is what the LORD says: “DO NOT act like the other nations, who
try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions,
even though other nations are terrified by them.
3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.
4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. (NLT)
3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.
4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over. (NLT)
1 Timothy 2:9-10 - Adorn yourself
in respectable apparel
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, NOT with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (ESV)
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, NOT with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (ESV)
Isaiah 3:16-26 – Anklets, Pendants, Bracelets,
Rings, Mirrors,
16 The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents;
19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
21 the signet RINGS and nose RINGS.(ESV)
16 The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents;
19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
21 the signet RINGS and nose RINGS.(ESV)
Romans 14:5-8 – It’s not the
ring or the day, but honor for God
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. YOU SHOULD EACH BE FULLY CONVINCED that WHICHEVER day you choose IS ACCEPTABLE.
6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, IT’S TO HONOR the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (NLT)
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. YOU SHOULD EACH BE FULLY CONVINCED that WHICHEVER day you choose IS ACCEPTABLE.
6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, IT’S TO HONOR the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:13-14 – Holy Spirit sealed our
inheritance guarantee
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 11:1 – WWJD
- What Would Jesus Do
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(ESV)
WE ARE CHALLENGED TO BE IMITATORS OF JESUS CHRIST
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and see further that I otherwise ever could
have.
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary – Nelson’s
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
NOTE: The new NIV has been corrupted and made gender
neutral. Avoid it.
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
