Marriage

By Bryan Craig

“That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him with a question. ‘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.  Now 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. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?’ Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.'” 
Matthew 22:23-30 NIV

As Jesus was challenged with this question about marriage, He gave the people insight into heaven and tells them there will be no marriage, as we understand it on earth, in our heavenly dwelling. When I read this passage, it actually brings sadness to my heart. I’ve been married to Missy for 29 years. She is my best friend, my confidant, my sweetheart, the love of my life, my soulmate, the best part of my life.  For me, I cannot imagine not being married to my wife, and I like to think about our marriage extending into eternity. So, I seek the Lord and His wisdom and comfort in the things I cannot understand, as well as in the things that trouble me. He helps me understand that there will be marriage, but it will look differently than I think. 

In Matthew 22:1-14, the same chapter as the teaching above, Jesus tells a parable about a wedding banquet. He talks about people being invited, but says they must have the right “wedding clothes” for the banquet or they will get kicked out. It is very clear to me that He is talking about those who belong to Christ, those who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (See Revelation 7:13-17.) These are the ones who get to participate in this heavenly wedding. 

In Revelation 19, John describes his vision into heaven:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.'” Revelation 19:7-9 NIV 

Those who belong to Christ are invited to a great wedding banquet, but not only that, we are the bride! This is a little bit of a strange thought, especially for men, until you understand everything God has shown us about abiding. Through God’s Word and His Spirit, we are entering into an intimate relationship with Christ now, that carries on into eternity. One day, He will satisfy everything that we long for, even things that we seek from our spouses on earth. Not only that, but our spouses, if they are believers, will also realize this beautiful relationship with our Lord.

I fully believe we will carry our relationships with our spouses into eternity as believers, but it will not be like marriage on earth. We will both share in this unified relationship with our Lord. It will be something we get to rejoice in together. I’m sure it will be beautiful and more perfect than my earthly mind can conceive.  

This motivates me in two ways. First, I want to have an intimate, abiding relationship with my Lord, my future groom in heaven, to prepare me for eternity. Second, I want to appreciate the gift of marriage with Missy now, while it is in its earthly form and make the most of it. I think both of these goals are pleasing to the Lord and definitely not mutually exclusive.