Are you one of those people who cling to the belief that when you die you will be together in Heaven with your current marital partner for all eternity? Boy! If you are Sam and I hope you get along better during your time here on earth than some married couples we know.
Sorry to have to point this out, but most biblical scholars agree the Bible does not guarantee us eternal marriage; guarantee being a key word.
In an article titled Marriage in Heaven? Will We Know and Love Our Spouses in Heaven? author Steve Ray writes, “the King James Version (of the Bible) says: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
“The New American Standard Bible says: “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.”
“The New International Version (NIV) says: “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
On the other hand, Ray says, “no reputable translation says this in a way to deny there are people continuing in love with earthly spouses.”
Apparently, we’ll love each other, just not be married. Stay tuned.
Many people, especially non-believers, point to Christ saying that people will “neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven," (Mark 12:18-27) as proof there is no marriage in heaven. Jesus said this when he cleverly eluded the Pharisees’ trap of questioning him about who’s wife a woman married to seven different brothers would be in the hereafter.
Biblical scholars generally agree that if we believe in the resurrection, we shall be bound to others, such as our earthly spouses, in a spiritual love we cannot now comprehend. We will all be like angels in heaven and enjoy playing our harps together, but there won’t be any need “up there” for conjugal relationships. We may recognize each other as male and female, maybe even as former spouses, but we won’t need to be together as husbands and wives. We’re not going to establish marital homes in heaven and we’re not going to pro-create so, when you get up there put on your angel wings and don’t worry about being with old whosit. Think agape, not eros.
The Mormons do believe spouses can be “sealed” together forever. They believe Jesus paved the way when he said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). If you want to know more about the Mormons' beliefs ask those young guys in white shirts and ties who ride their bicycles into your neighborhood and knock on your door.
It is clear that God did create man and woman to be together - at least here on earth. And theoretically, a marriage is supposed to be so good here on earth it reflects what heaven will be like. Tragically though, a lot of marriages aren’t anywhere near close to heavenly. Unfortunately, the Bible just doesn’t give us much specific hope regarding marriage in heaven other than saying, “He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things (including your spouse) have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Chances are you’ll probably feel relieved not to have to be married anymore when you get to heaven anyway (if that’s where you’re going). All those obligations and expectations and responsibilities of marriage will finally be over.. Unfortunately, I don’t suppose Sam and I will be together in heaven either. Poop on that!
Sorry to have to point this out, but most biblical scholars agree the Bible does not guarantee us eternal marriage; guarantee being a key word.
In an article titled Marriage in Heaven? Will We Know and Love Our Spouses in Heaven? author Steve Ray writes, “the King James Version (of the Bible) says: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
“The New American Standard Bible says: “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.”
“The New International Version (NIV) says: “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
On the other hand, Ray says, “no reputable translation says this in a way to deny there are people continuing in love with earthly spouses.”
Apparently, we’ll love each other, just not be married. Stay tuned.
Many people, especially non-believers, point to Christ saying that people will “neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven," (Mark 12:18-27) as proof there is no marriage in heaven. Jesus said this when he cleverly eluded the Pharisees’ trap of questioning him about who’s wife a woman married to seven different brothers would be in the hereafter.
Biblical scholars generally agree that if we believe in the resurrection, we shall be bound to others, such as our earthly spouses, in a spiritual love we cannot now comprehend. We will all be like angels in heaven and enjoy playing our harps together, but there won’t be any need “up there” for conjugal relationships. We may recognize each other as male and female, maybe even as former spouses, but we won’t need to be together as husbands and wives. We’re not going to establish marital homes in heaven and we’re not going to pro-create so, when you get up there put on your angel wings and don’t worry about being with old whosit. Think agape, not eros.
The Mormons do believe spouses can be “sealed” together forever. They believe Jesus paved the way when he said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). If you want to know more about the Mormons' beliefs ask those young guys in white shirts and ties who ride their bicycles into your neighborhood and knock on your door.
It is clear that God did create man and woman to be together - at least here on earth. And theoretically, a marriage is supposed to be so good here on earth it reflects what heaven will be like. Tragically though, a lot of marriages aren’t anywhere near close to heavenly. Unfortunately, the Bible just doesn’t give us much specific hope regarding marriage in heaven other than saying, “He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things (including your spouse) have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Chances are you’ll probably feel relieved not to have to be married anymore when you get to heaven anyway (if that’s where you’re going). All those obligations and expectations and responsibilities of marriage will finally be over.. Unfortunately, I don’t suppose Sam and I will be together in heaven either. Poop on that!
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