I must state clearly that dating and marrying outside the church is not recommended and can become a significant stumbling block, bringing trouble in future years. The principle of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers applies strongly to marriage, as it represents the closest of alliances where partners should be united as one. Such unions with unbelievers are incompatible with God's way of life, as the two systems are like oil and water, unable to mix due to differing beliefs and goals. Practically speaking, having an unconverted mate or dating outside the church makes it nearly impossible to fulfill God's purpose in us. Even if an unconverted mate is moral, friction often arises due to incompatible ways of life. Challenges include keeping the Sabbath, dietary laws, and raising children in faith, as fundamental disagreements can confuse and negatively impact them. Life is already difficult, and knowingly entering such a situation seems foolish. Even in the current scattered state of the church, with few potential mates available, the principle remains unchanged. God's laws and ways do not alter with circumstances. Taking matters into one's own hands, as seen in historical examples, can lead to long-lasting consequences. Instead, trust in God, wait patiently, and have faith that He will provide what is good for us in His time, including a suitable mate. If one encounters someone outside the church who seems suitable, extreme caution is necessary. Do not compromise God's way of life; be upfront about beliefs and provide church literature to gauge their receptivity. Only proceed if they show genuine interest and progress toward conversion, waiting for baptism before marriage. This is rare, and dating outside the church remains a risky and unwise choice. The ideal is to marry someone comparable, sharing beliefs and experiences, as the best marriages are built on common ground. God's pattern, both physical and spiritual, emphasizes finding a mate who fits closely with us, fostering unity rather than division. Despite the challenges of the church's current situation, there is no need for despair. God, who can accomplish the impossible, is capable of providing mates for us amidst any circumstance if we trust in Him.

Any given doctrine must be built layer by layer, combining and comparing scriptures rather than allowing a single scripture to determine the doctrine. When we understand that porneia includes all the hideous perverted sexual sins that go beyond ordinary adultery- including bestiality, pedophilia, homosexuality, incest, and every other imaginable sexual perversion, we understand that Jesus gave a greater latitude and flexibility in these divorce decisions than we had earlier assumed (based exclusively upon adulterous 'fraud'). Any violence against the marriage contract (stemming from unconversion) would constitute grounds for divorce, and would permit the converted partner to remarry. Mutual access to the tree of life (God's Holy Spirit) gives marriage the best (actually the only) chance to succeed.