THE MARRIAGE MUSEUM

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Unless you have been hiding under the proverbial rock, you are probably aware the US President has signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act.

“President Joe Biden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. This landmark new federal protections for same-sex and interracial couples, capping both a personal and national evolution on an issue that is enjoyed growing acceptance over the past decade. Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act before thousands of invited guests on the South Lawn at an event the White House said reflected the importance of the moment.

"Marriage is a simple proposition. Who do you love? And will you be loyal to that person you love?" the president asked from the South Lawn. "It's not more complicated than that." He said the law he was about to sign recognizes that "everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves without the government interference," and secures the federal "protections that come with marriage."

"For most of our nation's history, we denied interracial couples and same-sex couples from these protections," Biden said. "It failed to treat them with equal dignity and respect. And now, this law requires an interracial marriage and same-sex marriage must be recognized as legal in every state in the nation." (The afore taken from the internet)

In my opinion, from what little I know about this new law, its context does not seem to necessarily foster respect for traditional marriage, as dictated within Scripture.

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:22)

Here within this blog entitled “The Marriage Museum”, we have a fictional account of a progressive socialistic view of marriage, from the past to the now. It's a reversal of the old tried and true cliché, "From the sublime to the ridiculous.”

“Foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear Me? Among My people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds. Their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice.” (Jeremiah 5:21)

The week was over. The weekend could not have come any sooner for this worn-out Bible professor. The drive home was a bit of a struggle, as it had begun to rain, coupled with the usual rush hour traffic.

Arriving home, I followed the usual weekend pattern of relaxation, sitting on the couch, newspaper in hand, watching television. Suddenly, the television sound began to fade, as did the picture, into total silence. The only sound came from the pitter patter of raindrops against the window. The entire scene suddenly faded into a dream or perhaps it was a vision.

I was taken to a faraway land, known only to my dream. Many people were milling around the busy streets. Many classic vehicles moved about, in concert with the vehicles and the attire. A trolley car was clanging down the middle of the street. But wait, this can’t be? The surrounding scenery appears to be from back in time, but the historic structures are all up to date.

I was in the middle of the large metropolitan capitol. It was just as my history textbook had pictured it. There were all the expected tourist attractions; the domed capitol, the large statue in front of the court building, the stately monument reaching upwards, the mall surrounding its reflecting pool. And oh yes, there was a large, pillared mansion behind the guarding fence.

'What is going on here?' I silently pondered in my heart. From all indications, this well-known tourist attraction should be alive with tourists enjoying the sights. Why was everything locked down? And why does it look like a ghost town? This dream is really giving me a personal attack of mixed emotions, feeling enslaved versus freedom's call. I feel as if my dream had been put on temporary pause.

Seemingly, as if by some divinely directed cause, I found myself in front of a large well laid out old fashioned structure. The building's sign presented the structure as The Museum of Marriage. Obviously, I was drawn inside where I was met by a museum guide. Joining a group of tourists, we started the tour.

The first stop was unusual as we were led down a set of metal stairs into a basement exhibit. The entranceway was covered over by cobwebs and dust. It was as if no one had been interested in these historic displays. The big sign reading “Respect of Marriage In The twentieth Century” was partly deteriorated, for lack of care and maintenance.

The tour guide brushed aside the cobwebs and ushered us inside. There we found the surrounding scenery and mannequins' clothing resembling the dress of a bygone age had all deteriorated with time. This apparently was due to lack of care and upkeep. None of the other tourists seemed to be interested in the exhibits, so we were quickly ushered back out by our guide.

We were then escorted through many other exhibits, then we came to the last exhibit. It was the most unusual one of all. The entrance display sign read “Respect of Marriage Act" with a sub-heading explaining the exhibit's function and purpose, in small print at the bottom.

Inside, the real-to-life exhibits and supporting mannequins gave way to the most unusual real time vivid rendition of the Respect for Marriage Act, illustrating the intent of the codifying of such an act. The inside was so crowded however, we had to take a number to continue with the tour. As if by divine action, I discovered that I was not able to complete the tour. Thus, affording me whispering a silent peaceful Amen!

Without warning, my dream or vision had ended. I was back home, as if I had never left, sitting on the couch, newspaper in hand, watching television

Was this simply a divinely instituted dream or vision? Was it a real-life warning of things to come? I do not rightly know. You see, this Christian college professor, by virtue of a dream or vision, instantly became too busy attending to the things of the Kingdom. This Old Time Religion Bible professor had retired from his long-time professional teaching life, into that of full-time service helping to reach those needing help, needing the full gospel. Yes, America surely needed this home missionary. (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Amen!

EPILOGUE

Often, I tend to feel the same as this quote. "When I think of the changes that have occurred in the land I love - and the Church I love even more - just in my lifetime, I have to pinch myself to see if it’s a dream gone bad. Sadly, what I see is all too real. I do a double-take several times a week - sometimes several times a day - as I witness more and more changes, I never thought I would see." (Dr. David Jeremiah)

As an American history buff, I can see Washington kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge, and our founding fathers on their knees at the first Continental Congress.

I can imagine President Lincoln praying in the hour of national crisis, and President Woodrow Wilson reading the Bible at night by the White House lights.

President Washington summed it all up, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the people of the United States.”

The story is told of an old battle-scarred vet’s mindset. “If you can find a better foxhole, then go for it. As for me, I’m satisfied with this one.” Yes, my friend, I’m well satisfied with our Republic, the land of the free and home of the brave. We see many people, risking their lives to enter America, but very few doing the same to exit.

We just need a bit of the Old-Fashioned Gospel tune-up. I no longer depend on the national news media, nor politics, nor the government for my faith-based revelations. In God I still trust. Will you come now and join me in the fight for freedom? Amen!

“Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

So, will you come pray with me for our country, for our leaders? Amen!

"Father God, I’m so unsettled within my spirit that my soul trembles within me. I know you are still our all-powerful, all-knowing Redeemer. I know you still place the just and unjust in authority according to Your perfect will. (Daniel 2:21) I know You reward good and punish evil (Genesis 12:3) with respect to Your people Israel. And I know from personal ongoing experience, that You love and protect Your own. (Galatians 3:26) Thank You for Jesus (John 3:16) and Your Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26) to lead me and guide me into all truth, (hn 14:26) in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!"