Victorian 1990's The Lord impressed upon my heart this topic. By all accounts it appears that the end of this century is similar to the end of the last one. Yes I propose we are in a modern Victorian Era. But the devil has done a great deal through media and Hollywood to distort the Victorian image. Of course the world cannot see a renewal as fellowship with God . They just see it as reproof upon licentiousness. And it is; because Christians are dedicated towards Love and The Holy Comforter reproves the world of sin, and or righteousness, and of judgement. I believe I may have some direct observable input upon the Victorian link. I was very close to my Great Grandmother who was 14 years old in 1890 and in England, Hollywood would have us believe that all Victorians toted handbags with hammers and chisels to whack the pinkys off of nude statues. More likely the Victorian era was one of romance. And the attitude towards romance was pragmatic. Romance is a theme for eternity, not trends. The real victors to come out of the Victorian Era were not those who put their trust in outer covering, but who were covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. In my heart of hearts I always knew that my great Grandmother's attitude was more contemporary than the trendiest Love-ins or bell-bottom trousers. If we would be riding in the car and see a couple "necking" Grandma would blush, but smile and say, "Ahh.. Beauty and the Grand!." :) Viva La Grandma! Matthew 6:22 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." That has not changed even today. I still look FORWARD to becoming near as contemporary as my Great Grandmother was at 90! In a name, like Jesus Christ. Covered Adam and eve sewed figs leaves together because they "knew" they were naked. Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Sewing figs leaves is futile before God. In the end God provided coats of fur, not Adam and Eve. After Adam sewed the leaves, he next had to stand before God. But then you notice that he told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He confessed. "And I did eat." Eve: "and I did eat." After Adam and Eve confessed their sins, god confirmed their word and acted accordingly : "Because thou hast done this." Whatever people say Adam and Eve were trying to pull, I don't know. I'm going to respect what God did. God is no fool. Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. The blood of Jesus Christ is now the only covering for nakedness. This is what I believe is the meaning of this passaage in Mark and also the actions of the Apostles until the resurrection: In The Garden of Gethsemene Mark 14:50-52 And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. (No other covering than Jesus) Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. John 21:17 (Jesus) saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. (The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God, is now the only way, and His sacrifice is more than covering in that it effects full remission of sins. So it's Jesus er bust.) And These people were wearing clothes: Revelation 3:17-19 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 7:14 ...And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Romans 4:4-7 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Whether in the shower or at the at the opera: 2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. If all things are naked an opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do ... what is the covering that HE wants? To Pray "Mine house shall be called an house of prayer..." Isaiah 56 Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Prayer turns one from self conscious to God conscious. God provides the covering through faith in Christ Jesus.. Jesus is the only way. Brethren, if it's 1997 and you're still alive, please pray. Oh Lord, The Gospel is preached in all of creation under heaven, help us to see the beauty of your creation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No doubt we've sinned. Lord forgive us our sins. Lord thank you for your forgiveness. Psalm 130:4 'But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared." May folks be turned from self righteousness and self-centeredness to faith and Fellowship with thee in Christ. Amen.