Today’s selected reading continues in the first epistle of the apostle Paul written unto the saints of God which were at Corinth. More specifically today’s passage is found in the seventh chapter of this New Testament book. “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that” (1 Corinthians 7:1-7).

 

            “I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for other if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to mary than to burn. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not be uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, b it the keeping of the commandments of God. Lest every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? Care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s foreman: likewise also he that is called being free, is Christ’ sservant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man wherein he is called therein abide with God” (1 Corinthians 7:8-24).

 

            “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment,a s one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the presents distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin merry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: and she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own posit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comedy, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better” (1 Corinthians 7:25-38).

 

            “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 7:39-40).

 

            When you come to the seventh chapter of the first New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find a chapter that is truly unique when you take the time to think about it. If you take the time to read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul writing about two subjects which are absolutely essential within our culture and society. As you turn your attention to the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul writing about marriage as well as singleness. I am absolutely convinced we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of how truly impactful and important this chapter truly is for it comes directly on the heels of two chapters which referenced fornication, sexual immorality and the need for purity and holiness in the sight of the living God. In all reality when you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you can and will be brought face to face with the absolutely incredible truth that the apostle Paul seeks to call the Corinthian church—both men and women, both Jews and Gentiles—into a place of purity, holiness and righteousness in the sight of the living God. What’s more is that as you read the words found in this passage you will get the sense that while marriage is sacred in the sight of the living God so also is singleness. There are those who would like to think that singleness is indeed some type of curse and that it is something that has no place in the kingdom of God and yet within this passage of Scripture the apostle Paul entirely and altogether debunks the idea and false deception that singleness somehow has no place within our culture and society. I am absolutely convinced that nothing could be further from the truth as just as much as marriage is sacred, holy and honorable in the sight of God so also is singleness sacred, holy and honorable in the sight of Almighty God.

 

            I sit here today thinking about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and can’t help but be reminded of where and when marriage first began and was first implemented and instituted in Scripture. If you turn and direct your attention to the first and second chapters of the Old Testament book of Genesis you will find it written how in the beginning God created them both male and female. I find it absolutely important to stop right here and speak to something that has plagued our culture and society more often and more frequently in recent months and years than ever before in the history of our nation. If you have been paying attention to the where our country has been transitioning and has already transitioned (no pun intended whatsoever) you will find that there has been a coordinated attack and assault on traditional genders as it was ordained and appointed by the living and eternal God. Even a cursory glance at where our culture and society is right now brings you face to face with a culture that is more concerned with pronouns and correctly “labeling” individuals who are a part of our society than upholding the traditional Judeo-Christian values that are found in the Scripture. Over the past few years there has been a methodical assault and attack on the traditional roles and values of God creating them male and female as  radical ideologies have created massive upheaval in our society within this nation. We dare not and must not miss and lose of this and how incredibly important it is for no longer can men and women be called by their traditional names. In our culture and society it is no longer politically correct to call a man by the same or a woman by the same.

 

            We are living in the midst of a culture and society when not only has gender itself been transitioned and transformed into something that was never intended by the living and eternal God but marriage itself has been transitioned and transformed into something it was never intended on being. There is a great need to recognize and understand this coordinated attack and assault on the traditional values of gender and marriage as outlined in Scripture for anyone who would dare disagree with with is considered intolerant. What’s more is there are those in our culture and society who wholeheartedly reject the radical agenda to recreate entirely new genders which were never ordained nor appointed by the living God and such individuals are called bigots by society today. Over the past several years there has been an all out assault and attack on the traditional genders of male and female as our culture and society now believes that men can become women and women can become men. What’s more is that it is now socially acceptable to no longer call speak the phrase “pregnant woman” but rather “birthing parent” or “pregnant person.” This is incredibly unique and astonishing when you take the time to think about it for not only has there been an all out assault on traditional gender roles as outlined in Scripture, not only has there been an all out assault on the tradition of marriage but there is even an assault on pregnancy itself and giving birth to a child. The assault that is and has been taking place against this is and has been done—either through full and outright abortion (regardless of how far along in the term it is) or through it no longer being women who can give birth but now a “person” who can become pregnant and give birth. Of course we know this concept of a “pregnant person” and “birthing parent” is nothing more than a redefining of the traditional role of a woman who was created in the image of God and was given the sacred opportunity to conceive a child within her womb and give birth to that life which was implanted within her.

 

            What adds to this all the more is when you consider the fact that at one point the agenda was simply “LGBT” which was an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans.” If you were to do a Google search for this now you will find that even these four letters and even this acronym wasn’t enough for they have added additional letters on to it as well as the plus symbol at the end. Right now in our culture and society it is no longer enough for there to simply be an “LGBT” agenda but it has morphed and transitioned into an “LGBTQ” agenda with the “Q” standing for “queer.” Should you dare oppose and/or question this radical agenda and the redefining of traditional roles in our culture and society and you will be branded a bigot and might even be considered intolerant and a domestic terrorist. I would dare say that we are on the cusp of a dangerous precipice where those who would dare speak out against and wholeheartedly reject this agenda will themselves be labeled as more than simply intolerant and a bigot but might in fact be considered as domestic terrorist. I am convinced that we are headed down a dark and dangerous path where men and women who would dare speak out against the lie and the deception that men can become women and women can become men can and will be branded as domestic terrorists. We have witnessed the weaponization of the vaccine and even the weaponization of politics as at one point those who refused the vaccine were considered inhumane, dangers and threats to society and yes, in some cases even domestic terrorists. This concept of social responsibility and equity and diversion and inclusion have overtaken our culture and society in an unprecedented manner—such as has never been seen or heard before. One doesn’t need to spend more than one week present within this nation to see the radical agenda that has been pushed against men, against women, and even against our children, our teenagers, our young adults, family and the traditional house and home.

 

            As I sit here writing these words I am absolutely gripped and captivated with the tremendous reality that what we are witnessing in our culture and society is a redefining of gender, a redefining of marriage, and even redefining of traditional family down to a woman’s right to give birth and bring a child into this world. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth that we as the people of God must needs stand up for truth, for righteousness, for holiness and for that which is and has always been stated in the divine Word of the living God. This nation and country was founded upon the principles of the Word of God and there were many of our founding fathers who believed that this nation ought to be created in the image and after the likeness of a Christian nation that has God at the center. During the days of our founding fathers, during the days when the Constitution was being drafted, during the days when the Declaration of Independence was being written, and during the days of the 1700’s, the 1800’s and even the 1900’s we witnessed traditional values that were rooted and grounded upon the divine principles that are found within the Word of God. It is important for us to recognize and understand that this nation was indeed founded upon the principles, the statutes, the commands and the precepts that are present within the Word of God. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for to do so would be to completely ignore the foundation and origin of this nation which existed to not only throw off the tyranny and oppression of England but also to establish a united nation of people who worshipped and served the living God. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to now call your attention to the words presented in the first, second and third chapters of the Old Testament book of Genesis as well as the words which are found in the first chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likenessA: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day” (Genesis 1:26-31).

 

            “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his. Nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth firmer is Euphrates. And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:7-17).

 

            “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: Ashe shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:18-25).

 

            “Now the serpent was more subtitl than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall. Ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were named; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with. Me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: curse is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was at thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:1-24).

 

           

It is within the first three chapters of the Old Testament book of Genesis we encounter the undeniable truth that in the beginning God created them male and female. What’s more is that not only did God create them male and female but he also created them in His own image and after His likeness. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to an immutable and undeniable truth that is found in the Scripture—namely that in the beginning God created male and female. This is something we dared not and must not miss and lose sight of for what we are witnessing in our culture and society is a systematic assault and attack on the pattern which has been in existence from the beginning of time. What’s more is that if you want to truly understand that which is going on in the world around us you must recognize that it is not the agenda of a radical group of people, nor the agenda of a shadowy cabal or secret society that is controlling the nations of the world, nor even one who was born of flesh and blood. What we are witnessing is an assault and attack on culture and society which has been orchestrated since the beginning of time. Even when you come to the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis you will find the serpent’s first attempt to taint the seed of the woman by intermingling the sons of God with the daughters of men. As a direct result of this there would be giants which were called Nephilim born among women upon the face of the earth. It would be during the days of Noah when there would be this intermingling between that which was sacred and holy and that which was defiled and as a direct result there would be abominations which were born unto and among men. What’s more is that so great was the wickedness that was present in the earth during the days of Noah that the living God not only warned Noah to build an ark but also declared unto him that He would destroy the earth and every living thing that had breath by the flood. Only Noah, his wife, their three sons, their wives and two of every living creature—both male and female—would the LORD God spare that He might bring about a great “reset” so to speak. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis:

 

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which thy chose. 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. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the 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. 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. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 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. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:1-8).

 

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. And the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gospel wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every living thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Genesis 6:9-22).

 

“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. FO every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by seventh, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Of clean beast, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, there went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah” (Genesis 7:1-9).

 

“And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the six hundredeth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken. Up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; they, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man; all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days” (Genesis 7:10-24).

 

We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the events which took place in the days of Noah for what we find taking place during those days is a powerful wickedness and corruption that was prevalent upon the earth. We know from reading the sixth and seventh chapter that there was evil, their was wickedness, their was violence and there was murder which was present upon the face of the earth. What we must also recognize, however, is that during those days there was something else that was taking place—something entirely and altogether sinister. What was taking place during those days is the sons of God taking unto themselves the daughters of men as wives and impregnating them. These daughters of men would give birth to those who would become mighty men in the earth—and not only mighty men but giants which were present in the midst of the land. There was during those days an unholy tainting of the seed of men as the sons of God would seek to corrupt the seed and race of men upon the face of the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the need for God to utterly destroy every living thing that had breath and moved upon the face of the earth. Although we don’t necessarily read of the transformation and transitioning of men into woman and women into men during the days of Noah we nonetheless find the corruption of the seed and the divine order and plan of the living and eternal God.

 

I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in the first, second and third chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis and I am brought face to face with the fact that God created them male and female. There is absolutely nowhere in Scripture where we find any biblical basis or scriptural support that a man can transition into and become a woman nor a woman transitioning into and becoming a man. Despite what society would indeed think and lead us to believe it was never the divine plan nor the divine will of the living and eternal God that men become women and women become men. What’s more is there was never any intention within the heart of men that men burn with lust for men and engage in immoral relations with each other. Not only this but it was never the intention of the living and eternal God that women burn with lust toward another and engage in fornication and immorality with each other. What this truth does is strike at the very heart and center of the LGBTQ agenda within our culture and society today. Despite what society would like to cause you to think and believe it is against Scripture that men burn with lust for and toward each other and women burning in lust toward each other. As surely and as much as redefining men as men and women as women goes against Scripture so also does redefining the natural relationship which exists between a man and a woman. It was the natural and divine order that God created them and female and that men and women give themselves in marriage and conceive and bring forth children that the earth might indeed be populated. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding that gender, marriage and even child bearing were divinely ordained by the living and eternal God.

 

If there is one thing I can’t help but think about when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture it’s that within our nation over the past several years there have been men and women who have attempted to redefine the natural and divine order of the living God. It is no longer about God creating men and women in His image and His likeness for now men can create themselves in whatever image they desire to. Not only this but women can create themselves in whatever image they desire themselves to be. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to consider it is what we are witnessing is not only the redefining of the traditional and divine order of the living God but also men and women placing themselves in the place and role that only God can and should be in. Man was never given the authority to seek to transition themselves into a woman and thus counteract that which was done by the living and eternal God. Women were never given the authority to seek to transition themselves in a man and thus counteract and go against that which the living and eternal God intended for them from the beginning of the creation. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality that what we are witnessing and beholding during these days is men and women stepping into the role of God to not only assert their will over and above his but they are also seeking to step into the role of God and put themselves in a place that only He Himself can and should be. What’s more is that what men and women are doing when they seek to redefine gender, marriage and even child bearing itself is the very same thing Lucifer did when he sought to ascend above the mount of God and exalt himself above the one true and living God. What we are witnessing within our culture and society today is men and women setting themselves up in the same pattern which Lucifer himself did in heaven when he attempted to exalt his throne above that of the living and eternal God’s. Lucifer allowed pride and iniquity to be found within his heart and as a direct result of this he attempted to usurp the authority, the power, the majesty and the glory of the living God. With this in mind I invite you to consider the fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the twenty-eighth chapter of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel and the first chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

“And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under fee. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD. I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 14:3-23).

 

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; ever precious stone was thy covering, the Sardis, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tablets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and soever shalt thou be any more” (Ezekiel 28:11-19).

 

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies, between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a. Lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:18-25).

 

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the nature Al use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with. Men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whispers, backbiters, haters of God, despitefully, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:26-32).

 

Please don’t miss and lose sight of the words which are found within the first chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome for within it we find him use the word “change” three different times. In the twenty-third verse the apostle Paul uses the word “change” to describe how men changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like unto something which the living and eternal God created. Men took the living and eternal God and changed His glory into an something that was made in their own image or into the image of something that was indeed created by the living God. In the twenty-fifth verse of the first chapter we find the apostle Paul declaring how the living and eternal God changed the truth of God into a lie. What’s more is not only did man change the truth of God into a lie but they would also worship and serve the creature more than the Creator. There is a third and final use of the word “change” within this first chapter and it deals with the natural order as it was indeed created and ordained by the living God. In the twenty-sixth verse of this chapter we find the apostle Paul declaring how women “changed” the natural use into that which was against nature. What the apostle Paul is speaking of here is women changing the natural use of a relationship between a man and a woman for an unnatural relationship between a woman and a woman. Moreover the apostle Paul goes on to describe how it wasn’t merely the women who did this but it was also the men who did the same thing as the men would change the natural use of a woman and would burn in their lusts one toward another. Thus within this passage of Scripture we find men chasing the glory of God into an image made in the likeness of something created by God, we find men chanting the truth of God into a lie and we find men and women changing the natural use of relationship(s) with each other into that which is unnatural and was never ordained and appointed by the living and eternal God. One of—if not the main underlying reality that is found within this passage is the concept of changing that which was ordained by God into something that was never ordained nor appointed by the living God Himself.

 

The more I sit here thinking about and considering this and how absolutely astounding it truly is I find myself being confronted with the incredible truth that what we are witnessing and what we have witnessed within our culture and society is men and women who have taken that which the living and eternal God has created and changing it into that which the Almighty God never intended. Not only this but what we are witnessing is men and women setting themselves up in the place of God and setting themselves up as God in creating, in changing, in transforming, and the like. That which we have witnessed and observed within this nation is men and women following the same pattern of Lucifer who set himself up as God and not only sought to be like God but sought to exalt himself and his throne above God. When we read of men exchanging the natural relationship with a woman and women exchanging the natural relationship with a man we are witnessing individuals who are setting themselves up in the place of God and determining their own personal order within their lives. When we read of men believing they can transition into a woman and women believing they can be transitioned into a man we are witnessing that which the apostle Paul wrote and spoke of and the use of the word “change.” It’s no coincidence that words such as “change,” “transition” and “transformation” are used when describing men who believe they can be changed into a woman and women who believe they can be changed into a man. What’s more is there is an even greater disservice, assault and attack on the divine and natural order ordained by the living God when a man declares that he was really born a woman and makes the decision to transition into a woman and vice versa. There have been countless individuals who believed they were born one way but they are actually something entirely and altogether different. As a direct result of their own interpretation of this they proceed to give themselves over to this process of “change” and “transition” which was never ordained nor appointed by the living God.

 

I write these words and as I am writing them I am confronted with the fact that there are countless who are taking this even further and are assaulting the natural and divine order for conceiving children and bringing forth children into the life. This is and has been done—not only through abortion but also through women who have transitioned into a man and yet have retained their natural female body parts which would include their ability to conceive and carry a child within their womb. There are women who have made the transition into a man and yet they have chosen to retain their natural female body parts that they might conceive. I still remember a picture that was circulated on the internet of a woman who transitioned into a man and was pregnant and how it was praised by those on the radical and extreme ends of the spectrum within our nation. In all reality I would dare say that America is and has become a nation that has led all other nations in corruption, in wickedness, in evil, in transgression, in rebellion, in sin in the sight and presence of the living God. I firmly believe that there are those within this nation—both those in positions of power, influence and leadership who have given themselves to this radical agenda. There are countless individuals—those who aren’t in power but are part of what might be considered our culture and society—who have bought into these lies which exist across gender, sexual orientation and even racial ideologies, opinions and views being perpetuated within and throughout this nation. What’s more is at the very heart and center of this is the word “rights” as there are countless individuals who advocate for gay rights, for trans rights, for abortion rights and the like. What’s more is there are countless men and women who are advocating for abortion claiming that it is actually providing medical care and there are major companies and corporations that are agreeing to pay for someone who needs to cross state lines in order to have an abortion. Within and throughout this nation companies, government, media outlets, social media outlets and so much more have bought into this radical agenda that is meant to destabilize and weaken this nation. Not only this but everything we are witnessing and experiencing is meant to lead men and women down the path of committing iniquity and transgression in the sight and presence of the living God.

 

The more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely astonishing truth surrounding how many within this nation and country have indeed and have in fact given themselves to this radical agenda which is corrupt, vile, evil and wicked through and through. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible this truth truly is for it brings us face to face with the fact that what are witnessing and what we have witnessed in our nation culture and society are men and women who have bought into the lies that have been presented unto them—and not only bought into the lies that have been presented unto them but have changed the truth of God into a lie. If there are two distinct truths we must recognize when reading these words it’s that at the very heart and center of what we are witnessing in our culture and society is men changing the glory of God into an image made like unto that which the Almighty God created and made within this world. Moreover there have been countless men and women who have changed the truth of God into a lie and as a direct result of this have chosen to worship the creature rather than the Creator. This is something we dare not and must not miss for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the fact that we as a culture and society have indeed been those who have given ourselves wholly and completely to the same corruption, the same wickedness, the same evil and the same rebellion as was present during the days of Noah. What’s more is that it was Jesus Himself who declared that in the Last Days we would see days which were just like the days of Noah and just like the days of Lot. You will recall that the days of Noah were days when men and women were eating, drinking, marrying and giving themselves into marriage all the way until the rain came and the flood waters rose upon the face of the earth. The days of Noah were days that were filled with great wickedness, evil and rebellion against the living God as well as days which were filled with great violence, death, murder and the tainting of the seed upon the earth. What’s more is the days of Lot were days that were filled with and saturated by homosexuality, lewdness, fornication and wickedness in the sight and presence of the living God.

 

When I read the words which are found in the seventh chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth I can’t help but be absolutely gripped with the fact that everything the apostle wrote was centered upon the natural order ordained and appointed by the living God. That which we find in this particular chapter perfectly demonstrates the natural use of a man and a relationship to and with a woman as well as the natural use of a woman and a relationship with a man. The apostle Paul wrote and spoke about marriage and clearly articulated and defined God creating men in His image and after His likeness. Moreover the apostle Paul demonstrated that God created them male and female and that there always has been and there always will be two genders. Oh although there can indeed and can in fact be many races, many tribes, many nations, many tongues and the like there has always been and there will always only be two races. God created them from the beginning male and female and never intended on men abandoning the natural use of a woman to burn in their lusts for men nor women abandoning the natural use of a man and burning in their lusts one for another. Moreover the apostle Paul undoubtedly believed that God created them male and female and that it was sacrilege and an abomination in the sight of the living God for a man to seek to transition themselves into a woman and a woman seeking to transition themselves in a woman. The apostle Paul believed that marriage was indeed sacred and holy in the sight of the living God and that it was good for a man to marry a woman and vice versa if this is what they were indeed called to. What we must realize is that not every man is and has been called to marry and not every woman has been called to marry. There are men and women who have been called to a life of singleness as they have been ordained and appointed by the living God to live a life of singleness and celibacy such as Jeremiah, the apostle Paul, the apostle John and others within Scripture. Not every great hero of the faith in Scripture was called to marry and not every hero of the faith was called to bring forth children into the world.

 

 As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to draw and call your attention to the fact that what the apostle Paul wrote in the seventh chapter of this first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints came directly on the heels of that which the apostle Paul would write concerning fornication and sexual immorality in the sight and presence of the living God. In the fifth chapter the apostle Paul would not only indict that man who committed fornication by having his father’s wife but also how the Corinthian church seemed to wink at and were puffed up rather than mourning and weeping over it. What’s more is that in the sixth chapter of this same epistle the apostle Paul writes and speaks of our bodies as being members of Christ and how we have not been called to take these members of Christ and make them members of a harlot. The apostle Paul described and declared how that one who joined themselves to a harlot is one body for the two shall be one flesh. The apostle Paul goes on to describe and declare how that one who is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. This would immediately be followed by the apostle Paul instructing the Corinthian saints to flee fornication for every sin that a man does is without the body but that man who commits fornication sins against his brown body. The apostle Paul believed and understood that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in us which we have of God and that we are not our own. For the apostle Paul we are not our own for we have been bought with a price and we ought to glorify God in our body and in our spirit which are God’s. Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding to the fact that we have been called to flee fornication and to flee idolatry.

 

As I sit here today I can’t help but think about how the life of Joseph is one that has tremendous implications for the days and generation in which we are living. I have believed that just as Joseph put in motion a plan to spend the seven years of plenty preparing for the seven years of famine by saving grain, wheat and that which would be needed to sustain life during the famine. Joseph would essentially require a tax from all Egyptians which would be used to be put aside in vast vaults that would be used to sustain life during the seven years of famine. This is something which must needs be recognized for I am convinced that we are being and have been called to be “seven year Christians”—those who spend our days planning and preparing for the days which are ahead of us. We have witnessed over the last two and a half years a global shutdown of businesses and have even witnessed a supply chain crisis and shortage where certain items weren’t on the shelves in many grocery stores. I am absolutely convinced that we as the saints of God must needs be those who firmly and wholeheartedly commit ourselves to being those who spend our days planning and preparing for the days which are ahead for us—days of crisis, days of shortage, days of famine, days of pestilence and the like. I firmly believe things are going to get a whole lot worse before they ever get better. I firmly believe that we as the saints of God desperately need to be those who commit our days planning and preparing through prayer, through fasting, through worship, through intercession, through fellowship, and through community. What’s more is I am convinced that we as the saints of God must needs plan and prepare ourselves by stocking up and storing food, water, emergency supplies, guns, ammo and the like. I believe that one of the greatest things we can do during our days and our generation is indeed planning and preparing for those days which are ahead of us in the coming weeks, months and perhaps even years.

 

With all of this being said I am convinced there is another example from the life of Joseph that can and will prepare us for what lies ahead in the coming days. You will recall that while Joseph served in his master’s house his master’s wife tried making several sexual advances with him. Time and time again Joseph refused to give in to the temptation to engage in fornication, sexual immorality and adultery with his master’s wife. Eventually there would come one day when Joseph was alone in his master’s house and his master’s wife made one more sexual advance toward him. The scriptural account describes how his master’s wife laid hold of Joseph and how he fled leaving his garment behind in her hand. I want you to truly understand and recognize this picture for I am convinced that this is one of the greatest pictures of what we have been called to in the days in which we are living. Not only are we called to prepare and plan for the days which are ahead but we are also called to flee from anything that would displease the living and eternal God. We as the saints of God must needs be those who are willing to flee from fornication, flee from idolatry and flee from that which would be dishonoring and displeasing in the sight and presence of the living God. Even if it means leaving our tunic and our garment behind we as the saints of God must needs diligently strive to flee all manner of fornication and all manner of idolatry and wickedness that is present and prevalent within our generation. There is absolutely no room for anything short of a willingness to flee idolatry, a willingness to flee fornication and a willingness to flee from anything that displeases and dishonors the eternal and living God. We as the saints of God must needs pursue holiness, righteousness, purify, faithfulness and obedience in the sight and presence of the living God. We as the saints of God must needs be those who firmly and completely give ourselves to being those who walk in holiness, righteousness, truth, light and obedience in the sight and presence of the living God in the days in which we are living.