"As if we have no wife"

QUESTION:

Hello Sister Pearl,
 Greetings to you and I hope all is well with you and your family.
The question I have for you is:
How are we to understand Paul's advice recorded at 1 Corinthians 7:29-31?
Thanking you in advance.

REPLY:

1Cor.7: "29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."

verse29A:
"What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short"

Every disciple of Christ including anointed ones, face a "time" that is "short" (Rom.13:11,12). How so?
Whether the end of all things looms imminent for the final remnant or not (1Pet.4:7);
all Chosen and disciples... from the time of Christ up until the last to be selected...
all have in common a short lifespan with which to prove faithful and complete the work assigned to them
(James 4:14; Psalm 39:5; 78:39; 144:4).
For the remnant, that human lifespan and opportunity will be cut short, by the end.

verse29B:
"From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none"

What does it mean for those who are married, to be as if they are not?
I see two applications...the physical and the spiritual.
The physical meaning of this is more obvious, and is explained within context.
See verses 32-34:
32"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man (or woman -1Cor.7:34) is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife". (and 1Cor.7:35)
To be "as if they had none", is to leave off being concerned primarily with one's wife/husband and marriage,
in favor of making one's primary concern the work of the Lord. This is necessary for all anointed and all disciples...male or female...in no matter what literal era they may live (1Cor.7:34). Oftentimes, Satan may even bring persecution to us through a mate's addiction or other difficulties. Such natural concerns can become a major distraction during our Christian course. Especially if we have been chosen by God to serve the spiritual needs of others; we must subdue other anxieties of life in order to keep our vow faithfully, to God and Christ. While we continue faithful to our marriage and family, placing God as the priority, is necessary.

The spiritual interpretation is in relation to the spiritual meaning of "wife" and "woman" (Rev.14:4).
To learn these things, you can read (pearl-thewoman.blogspot.com)
This verse and it's advice, is concerning, in over-simplified terms, organized religion.
It directs anointed to be absorbed in the Lord's concerns; and not in
"the affairs of this world" (1Cor.7:34)...obligations to men, their doctrines, nor their approval.
To be mature in Christ, is to be directed only by Holy Spirit ("undivided devotion to the Lord" -1Cor.7:35),
and not by one's covenant with men (or "women" Gal.4:24; 1Sam.21:5; Rev.14:4; 1Cor.6:15,16,17; Rev.18:9).

verse30A:
"those who mourn, as if they did not"

The scriptures indicate that any Chosen ones who are proving faithful,
are enduring tribulation and mourning while within Satan's world
(John17:14; 16:20,22,33; Acts 14:22; 2Cor.6:4; Rev.3:21; 12:11).
Yet through this pain, they can give themselves over to it, indulge it,
and let themselves prove to be overcome by it
(Heb.12:3; Prov.24:10; Gal.6:9; Rev.2:3) (Matt.25:26,27,28,30)
OR... As verse30 directs...
be as if you are NOT mourning when it comes to doing the work assigned.
Psalm126:5 reads: "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."
Yes, the Chosen must keep "sowing seed" regardless of their grief (Ec.11:6; 2Tim.4:2; James 1:4),
according to the example of Christ (Mark14:34; John4:34; Luke12:50).
Those who persevere, will eventually be comforted (Matt.5:4)

verse30B:
"those who are happy, as if they were not"

Basically, this refers to the dangers of a false sense of peace and security.
In fact, our reality, requires great sobriety and discernment...
Luke12:19,20; 1Pet.1:13; 4:7; 5:8; Prov.22:3
In the last days, men will grow secure and over-confident,
resulting in their destruction
(Job 8:14,15; Isa.28:14,15; 1Thess.5:3; Rev.11:10,13; Jer.50:36; 51:30)

Ec.1:18 sums up reality...and the meaning of 1Cor.7:30 B
It is telling us to increase our wisdom and knowledge,
even though this will result in a loss of previous delusions of happiness.
This loss of joy, is temporary.

verse30C:
"those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep"
(Eze.7:12)
Despite the payment of our lives for truth, we do not own what we receive
(Rev.3:18; Matt.10:8; 1Cor.4:7; 9:18; Rev.20:4) but must give it away freely.
On the other hand...
If we are deceived into buying UNTRUTH (Matt.25:9,10; Rev.13:17,14,8; 2Thess.2:9)
we also should not feel secure in our possession
(Eze.7:12; Luke 8:18; Luke12:16-18,19-21,39; 17:31; 1John2:17; James 1:10; Heb.12:27; John10:10).

verse31A:
"those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them"

At John17:15 Jesus prayed:
 "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."
This means that we still have to survive in the world, while remaining no part of it (John17:16)
If you would like to read some more about this:
pearl-seculareducation.blogspot.com
and
No-Part-of-the-World

For those who unwittingly get entangled in using the world for religious power
(Matt.24:48-51; 13:22; Rev.17:15; 2Thess.2:3,4; John16:2; Rev.11:1,2; 13:8);
and who become "engrossed" in that power and position, will be blinded (Eph.4:18).
Their proud captivity to Satan's deceptions and sin, will blind them to the light
that might have liberated and rescued them (Matt.13:15).
(2Thess.2:9-12; Rev.13:8,10,9; 2Cor.4:4; Acts 26:18; 2Cor.2:11; 11:3;
1John2:11; Rev.6:16; Hosea 10:8; Isa.2:19; Luke23:30)
They will be absorbed in defending their own "righteous" stature, dominion, and possessions,
("treasures on earth"/"the things of the world")
(2Cor.2:17; 1Tim.6:5; 2Tim.3:8; Titus 1:11; 2Pet.2:3; 1Thess.2:5; Mark8:36)
rather than defending the Truth, the Kingdom to come, and God's righteousness.
(treasures in heaven) (Matt.6:33,9; 1Pet.4:11; Rom.11:36; 12:3; Luke17:10; Rev.4:11; 5:13; 7:12)

verse31B:
"For this world in its present form is passing away."

This of course, reminds us of 1John2:17 and 2Pet.3:10,11,13.
From the preceding verses and context of 1Cor.7, we learn that none of the
present interests and religious powers have any future.
We stand as individuals before God, and can not find shelter
in an organizational "mountain" (Rev.6:16,14; 16:20),
despite current doctrines to the contrary. The only mountain endorsed
by God, is the future Mt. Zion in heaven (Rev.14:1; 7:4; Psalm 2:6; Heb.12:22)
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/YHVHs-genuine-mountain.html

We will be judged individually (Rom.14:12; 2Cor.5:10; Matt.16:27),
as to whether we:
obeyed Christ (John15:14; Matt.23:8,9,10; 28:20; Eph.5:23),
did God's will (Matt.12:50; 7:21; 1John2:17),
treated the "least" of Christ's brothers with love (Matt.25:40; 10:42),
and received the scriptural sayings of the true prophets
(Matt.7:20; Rev.11:3,4; Matt.10:40,20; John4:24).
These four things have absolutely nothing to do with the interests of
an organization, nor gaining the approval of those who govern it (Gal.1:10; Rom.2:29).

The "skirt of a Jew" contained tassels wrapped about with a "blue cord".
This symbolized divine truth (Num.15:38,39,40),
as did other clothing symbols (Isa.11:5).
That "blue cord" of truth, fittingly kept the skirt's hem from "unraveling".
In the prophecy at Zech.8:23; (some translations render "skirt", as sleeve)
it was this symbolic blue cord of truth, donned by God's anointed priests,
that the Nations would recognize and "grab hold of".
(Zech.8:23; Rom.2:29; Gal.3:28,29; 1Pet.2:9; Matt.5:16)

Every other interest, effort, work, pretense,
so called "knowledge", hierarchy, or identity,
will not provide salvation,
but will mean nothing (1Cor.15:24; Rev.16:20; 6:14; 20:11).
All these verses you inquire about, contain a warning to those who,
in various ways,
put their trust in what they can see...
"the world in it's present form", which "is passing away" (1Cor.7:31 B).
(Psalm 146:3; Jer.17:5; Isa.2:22; 2Cor.4:18; 1Cor.2:10,12,13,14)...
Almost all humanity have this misplaced trust (Rev.12:9,15,16).
But unfortunately,
these scriptures about being deceived into misplacing their trust,
refer primarily, to those whom God considers His own people,
in the time of the end. (Zech.4:9,7; Isa.40:4; Matt.23:12; Jer.51:25; Rev.8:8; Matt.21:21)
(http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/12/earth-swallows-satans-river-rev1216.html)
  - (pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com)

Now when you read the verses which are the subject of your query, review what comes to mind...

1Cor.7: "29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."


Thank you for your question.
I hope this work has made a difference,
in helping to transfer some of the dead, into the living.
All the best,
Pearl

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