Main Text:
Marriage at the Resurrection
23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24″Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27Finally, the woman died. 28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” 29Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven…” (Matthew 22:23-30)

Reference Text:
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)

Pertinent Questions:
1. What does Matthew 22:30 tell us about earthly marriages?
Since scripture says that people will not be given in marriage, it means that earthly marriages will cease upon physical death and not be carried through to the resurrection. Therefore earthly marriage is a temporal entity, not an eternal one.

2. Why would God ordain that there be no marriage in heaven?
There are a few reasons for this but most likely, there will be no marriage in heaven simply because there will be no need for it. When God established marriage, He did so to fill certain needs. First, He saw that Adam was in need of a companion. “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 2:18). Eve was the solution to the problem of Adam’s loneliness, as well as his need for a “helper,” someone to come alongside him as his companion and go through life by his side. In heaven, however, there will be no loneliness, nor will there be any need for helpers. We will be surrounded by multitudes of believers and angels (Revelation 7:9), and all our needs will be met, including the need for companionship. Second, God created marriage as a means of procreation and the filling of the earth with human beings. Heaven, however, will not be populated by procreation. Those who go to heaven will get there by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; they will not be created there by means of reproduction. Therefore, there is no purpose for marriage in heaven since there is no procreation or loneliness.

3. Wouldn’t it be a great shame that the deep connection and love between husband and wife is not preserved for an eternity?
A huge handicap most of us face – and this is certainly true of me most of the time – is that we are so earthly-minded that we cannot so much as imagine any heavenly reward that could even equal – much less surpass – the marriage of our dreams. In heaven you will have unbelievable closeness with people of both genders. Everyone will beam with delight to see you. No one will be the slightest reserved, shy, snobbish or prejudiced. You will feel connected, understood and accepted like no one on earth has ever experienced. The warmth, intimacy and depth of eternal relationships will be literally out of this world. These, combined with increased understanding, emotional wholeness, transparent honesty and divine love will make deep, intimate communication effortless. Heavenly relationships will be so much more fulfilling than earthly ones that for anyone in heaven to want marriage would be like an adult wanting a pacifier. Therefore may we heed the call of scripture to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)

4. How then should we perceive Christian marriage?
Although marriage is good and represents the most intimate relationship we can experience on earth, it should not be idolized. If you love your spouse more than God then he/she has become an idol. The most important commandment is to love God “with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”13 We will be with our loved ones in heaven (for those who believe). However, we will not be married to our spouses, since that relationship will be superseded by our relationship with Jesus, since we will be “married” to Jesus. This is not the description of a sexual relationship, but a description of an intimacy that is only approximated by what exists between a husband and a wife. Marriage on earth is merely a glimpse of the relationship God intends to have with us in heaven. It is the purpose for which we were created. Religion that substitutes marriage and family as an idol in place of God is a false religion.

5. Who then is our perfect bridegroom?
There will be a spiritual marriage in heaven – our marriage to the Son of God. It is then that our love for Jesus will be consummated in eternal bliss, bringing us to realms of exquisite joy and never-ending fulfillment.

6. What if we still have misgivings about a heaven with marriage between man and woman?
Do you think the Creator of sex has reached his limit in his ability to give us pleasure and fulfillment? Do you suppose that in the infinity of the Almighty’s loving wisdom he has reserved for our heavenly reward that which is second rate relative to what he has already given fallen humanity? There is a spiritual ecstasy of which the highest sexual experience, the greatest romance, the most exciting adventure is but the faintest shadow. There are exquisite sensations and rapturous delights that so exhilarate, intoxicate and transport every fiber of one’s being that our present bodies and emotions would explode if subjected them. Pinnacles of pleasure beyond our dreams all revolve around loving and adoring Almighty God. Every Christian is destined for them. All we need do is remain faithful in this life, allowing ourselves to be captivated by the beauty of Jesus.

The Prayer:
Father, thank for your design of earthly marriage, yet we know that you have instituted earthly marriage as a foreshadow of our spiritual marriage to Christ Jesus. We confess that we are too easily pleased by earthly gratification, romance and human love. Our over-glorification of earthly marriage is like a drug– the very thing that offers fleeting comfort, yet often inflames our frustration. They do rival with our love for you oh God, and we plead with you for mercy and grace as we struggle and persevere to put earthly marriage in its rightful place—beneath you, our majesty, who eternally sits on the throne of our hearts.