Verified answer

The answers given thus far seem to be what I would call "composing", and I dont hear music.

What Jehovah has put together . . . Not what the government grudgingly permitted by Jehovah, may no man put apart.

The hidden message in the question is that Jws tend to take what they like and leave what they dont. If Jehovah permits governments to rule, then why not vote? Why not allow members to serve in non combatant roles in the armed forces? Why give in to pressure to seperate the Society from the organisation? Why not recognise secular divorce if you recognise secular marriages? What the state has put together, the state may put apart. I was forced to commit adultery to free my Jw wife from bonds of marriage, even although I still loved her.

If those marriages are legally recognized by secular authorities, then we accept them as married also. Christians are under obligation to obey the superior authorities, so long as they do not ask anything of the Christian which violates God's law (Acts 5:29; Rom 13:1).

Additionally, if a worldly couple begins to study with Jehovah's Witnesses, and then progress to the point of baptism, they do not need to be married again. Jehovah will recognize the commitment that the couple have made to each other, even before they knew him. But he will then proceed to teach them his ways and strengthen that marriage bond that they already had with his word and principles and laws.

Also, you should also keep in mind the words of Jesus at Luke 20:34-36

"Jesus said to them: “The children of this system of things marry and are given in marriage, but those who have been counted worthy of gaining that system of things and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. In fact, neither can they die anymore, for they are like the angels, and they are God’s children by being children of the resurrection. "

"Human emotions today might make this a difficult conclusion to accept. But it is to be noted that nowhere does the Bible say that God’s resurrecting the faithful means restoring their marital status. Hence, no one believes that if Aquila and Priscilla have gained life in heaven, they have resumed their marriage. (Acts 18:2) And Joseph and Mary will evidently live in different realms—he on earth and she in heaven. (John 19:26; Acts 1:13, 14) Since none of us have lived in heaven, we cannot say what feelings Aquila, Priscilla, and Mary might have there, yet we can be sure of their finding full contentment in their heavenly service.

Similarly, we have never lived as perfect humans. Thus we cannot be sure how we will feel about past relationships if and when we gain perfect human life in a paradise. It is good for us to remember that when Jesus made that statement he was a perfect human and therefore in a better position than we to appreciate the feelings of those who are “counted worthy of gaining that system of things.” We can also trust that Jesus is able to ‘sympathize with our present weaknesses.’ (Hebrews 4:15) So if a Christian finds it hard to accept the conclusion that resurrected ones will not marry, he can be sure that God and Christ are understanding. And he can simply wait to see what occurs." (Watchtower 6/1, 1987 30-31)

Like the last line says, I prefer to simply wait and see what occurs. Rev 7:14 tells us that there will be come who survive straight through the Great Tribulation. So since they may technically not be "children of the resurrection", because they never died, there is a possibility that their marriages may still be recognized. But really, its just speculation...who really knows? Only God. I trust in him, that he will do what is best for his servants.

But as for what is going to happen to all of the current married couples who are not serving Jehovah during Armageddon...well..we probably will not have to worry too much about whether or not Jehovah recognizes that bond or not...because it won't matter...

"In a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength." (2Thes 1:8, 9)

Only those who are serving Jehovah, and who have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb will survive the Great Tribulation (Rev 7:14), but those who are executed during that time, as the Scripture seems to indicate, will be judged right then, with no chance of a resurrection.

=Edit=

And yes, MakeSure has a point. Your logic in asking this question is a non-sequitur. A secular marriage would be one in which a "misguided church leader" was NOT involved.

THis one is very simple. The marriage, whoever conducts it, must be legally registered in the records of the state/government. If a married couple-nonJW, decided to be JW, they need not to be remarried. Their earlier marriage has already legal and binding effect. In Jehovah's eyes they are married, since they have registered it in the state/govt.

Jehovah has allowed these government to rule in a relative position. ROmans 13:1-4.

Once a nonJW couple entered Jehovah's organization, it means they now recognize Jehovah's guidlines in marriage. They don't have to prepare a new marriage contract =) That is not allowed in the Law =)

" . . .The existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves." --Romans 13:1-2

Jehovah's Witnesses do not oppose the authority invested in secular authorities, to determine that a couple whose marriage is registered with them, is indeed a marriage. The key being that the couple complied with secular law, & thus acknowledge God's authority, too, in registering their marriage.

Notice this:

A *Very* Special Wedding! > http://watchtower.org/e/19980615/article_01.htm

Jehovah's Witnesses Respect Authority > http://jw-media.org/beliefs/society.htm

Marriage Should Be a Permanent Bond > http://watchtower.org/e/20020208/article_03.htm

BTW --for those who aren't clear on its definition-- 'secular' is & means:

(Onelook Dictionary, on-line)

▸ adjective: concerning those not members of the clergy

I personally know one couple who married 3 times before registering their marriage! The 1st was officiated by a fellow hippie. The second, by a hippie-type who was recognized by law to perform legal marriages---but they only did that for show, because she was pregnant & family was upset that they weren't married. (So, they never mailed in the registration of their marriage). The 3rd was performed by the elder of Jehovah's Witnesses who conducted their Bible study, because they wanted to get baptized as JWs, &, legally registering their marriage was just one of many requirements that they had to meet, in order to qualify.

The exhortation found at Romans 13:1 and Hebrews 13:4 come quickly to mind.

Hannah J Paul

The bible doesn't say you need a religious ceremony for for marriage. Quite the contrary, in Israelite times, there was no ceremony performed by a priest or minister.

To say a religious ceremony is required is going beyond the scriptures.

Is this a JP marriage or common law? My neighbor is a Jehovah Witness and she was forced to marry this guy she lived with for over ten years. They were happy until they got married, now life is a chore to her. Having to be subject to his fits, demands, and need for respect of his "headship" but last time we talked she said he rants on and on about his head-shi T! It would be funny but he started to hit her too.

She also started to take Zoloft because she almost killed herself last year. She is filing for divorce because life is ugly as a married woman for her. She told her priest guy that she wished she had just stayed living in the common law way and they treated her bad.

Sounds like they're more advanced than mainstream Christianity in that regard.

Anglicans still use the "publishing or the Banns" for marriage as well, which is actually a pagan rite.

Different strokes for different folks.

Fabulous question. And if a secular judge deems a couple "married," does that mean that God does too?

A marriage is a marriage.

Jehovah did not decree that he has taken away his gift of marriage from mankind that does not worship him. He still regulates it for those who wish to serve him. For the others, he lets them be, as we do.

"I was forced to commit adultery to free my Jw wife from bonds of marriage, even although I still loved her"

"Forced to commit adultery"? LOL- that sounds soooo typical.

It's also ridiculous. If that is "love", what is "hate"?