The Authority of Marriage

In Matthew 21, the chief priests and elders asked Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?…And who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered that his authority was from God through John the Baptist. In like manner, I used to tell Christians that Father’s authority came from God through Jesus.

“True Parents’ authority is from God through their marriage.”

This is true, but it does not explain the authority to bestow the Blessing. It does not explain True Parents’ authority.

By what authority do True Parents give the Blessing, and who gave it to them? It is by God’s authority and it is given by Father and Mother’s marriage. Father said, “Our

marriage has established the True Parents’ position. …The seed of true love, true life and true lineage …results from the unity of God’s love with man and woman’s love.”

This authority belongs to them married. In Father’s words, “In order to complete God’s Providence of salvation, it is not enough for one man to appear as the Savior, the Messiah, or the Lord of the Second Advent. The True Parents have to appear as husband and wife.”

“The authority of marriage includes the authority to participate in each other’s lives, have the same rank and position, and inherit and own everything in common—and more.”

The authority of marriage includes the authority to participate in each other’s lives, have the same rank and position, and inherit and own everything in common—and more. And God through True Parents bestows upon all blessed couples the authority of marriage as our rights in Cheon Il Guk.

[Citations from Pyeong Hwa Gyeong, pp. 522, 246; cf. p. 963.]

-TH