Marriage in Heaven? (Full Version)

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DreadPirateRandy -> Marriage in Heaven? (8/24/2008 10:21:18 PM)

I've heard people say we won't know each other in Heaven. I've heard the complete opposite. All of this speculation has caused my curiosity to go rapid in wonder.

If we won't know each other, or more specifically, if we won't know our significant other, what ever was the point of God putting those together in the first place?

Before the fall, Adam and Eve lived in the perfect world. They were created for one another. Everything was perfect, exactly like the standard that Heaven is supposed to be. If this form of relationship was established in the beginning, in a flawless world, why would it be taken away in Heaven?

Why, in the perfect environment, with the one God blessed you with as your significant other be taken away from you, or you being incapable of remembering them? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Furthermore, if any of this is true, then it makes the whole "forever" premise pointless.



DaveW -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/25/2008 6:46:11 AM)

Really there is not direct statement on this one way or the other. What you have heard is theories people came up with to fill the void.

We know that God will wipe away all tears. So we reason that we must not know that many of our loved-ones did not make it there.

We know that Jesus said in the ressurection we will be like angels in heaven who do not marry and are not given in marriage. What it says is there are no new marriages. It says little about marriages already in existance.

So we really do not know, and that is OK.



makarizo -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/25/2008 7:08:04 AM)

I have wondered about how it would work for someone like a coworker i know....would he be united with his first wife, his 2nd, his 3rd, 4th, or would he be united with the woman he is currently living with.

would it be unfair to think that God has something better planned?



DaveW -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/25/2008 7:48:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: makarizo

I have wondered about how it would work for someone like a coworker i know....would he be united with his first wife, his 2nd, his 3rd, 4th, or would he be united with the woman he is currently living with.

would it be unfair to think that God has something better planned?
Is this guy a believer? Are any of his exes?



makarizo -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/25/2008 5:33:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

quote:

ORIGINAL: makarizo

I have wondered about how it would work for someone like a coworker i know....would he be united with his first wife, his 2nd, his 3rd, 4th, or would he be united with the woman he is currently living with.

would it be unfair to think that God has something better planned?
Is this guy a believer? Are any of his exes?

His father died 2 months ago, and he came to me with some really big faith oriented questions. He calls himself a believer, and believes that is all it will take to go to heaven.
so for the sake of the thread, let's say "yes"



DougHorton -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/25/2008 8:07:58 PM)

quote:

Furthermore, if any of this is true, then it makes the whole "forever" premise pointless.


If you are making that promise, it is in vain. It should be 'till death do us part'.

quote:

I have wondered about how it would work for someone like a coworker i know....would he be united with his first wife, his 2nd, his 3rd, 4th, or would he be united with the woman he is currently living with.


It was exactly to this kind of situation that Jesus spoke to when He answered that you won't have to worry about it because you won't be married to each other. Why? Because we are the Bride of Christ.

quote:

Is this guy a believer? Are any of his exes?


If they aren't now, they might be before they die.



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 2:16:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DougHorton

It should be 'till death do us part'.


Then what?



WesP -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 2:03:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DreadPirateRandy

quote:

ORIGINAL: DougHorton

It should be 'till death do us part'.


Then what?


For believers, the Resurrection!



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 2:21:24 PM)

Again, then what?

God established unity between Adam and Eve in His perfect plan before the fall. He saw that it was good, especially in a perfect environment. Why wouldn't the new earth be anything like the period of the Garden of Eden?



DougHorton -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 2:56:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DreadPirateRandy

Again, then what?

God established unity between Adam and Eve in His perfect plan before the fall. He saw that it was good, especially in a perfect environment. Why wouldn't the new earth be anything like the period of the Garden of Eden?


Marriage to Christ. End of story.



JimboFletch -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 3:59:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DreadPirateRandy

Again, then what?

God established unity between Adam and Eve in His perfect plan before the fall. He saw that it was good, especially in a perfect environment. Why wouldn't the new earth be anything like the period of the Garden of Eden?

Jesus specifically addressed this issue, as did Paul. Marriages end at the death of either spouse and are no recognized in heaven. That's good enough for me.



WesP -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 4:29:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DreadPirateRandy

Again, then what?

God established unity between Adam and Eve in His perfect plan before the fall. He saw that it was good, especially in a perfect environment. Why wouldn't the new earth be anything like the period of the Garden of Eden?


Because God put man over the earth. Heaven will be different. It will all be for the glory of God, and man will rule over nothing. The whole dynamic of relationships will change. Our bodies, minds, etc. will be different. What need will be satisfied by a marriage in the vein of what is here on earth?



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 6:14:51 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DougHorton

End of story.


I can't just settle with that description, sorry.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

Marriages end at the death of either spouse and are no recognized in heaven.


We've established this. But that says nothing about the new earth. If it bears anything in resemblance to the Garden of Eden, where marriage was established, why wouldn't it also be in the new earth?

quote:

ORIGINAL: WesP

Because God put man over the earth.


Why would the new earth be any different? God put Adam in control over a perfect environment. Why should it be any different in the new earth?


To further my argument, there's this article I discovered last night. It seems to point in the contrary to the popular belief.



Raptorman -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 9:25:34 PM)

Doug, DaveW already made the good point (one I've noticed beforehand) that Jesus refers to "marrying and giving in marriage," namely the beginning and end of marriage. The condition itself is not addressed in Scripture, so far as I know. Thus, unless I am mistaken we cannot use Scripture to rule out the possibility that marriage might continue in eternity.

The whole thing about being "married" to Jesus Christ is dangerous when taken literally. If Jesus were going to actually marry the whole Church, wouldn't that make Him a bisexual polygamist?

No, when Jesus will at last be united with the "Bride" of Christ, the relationship we will develop with Him will be so fulfilling, loving, intimate and all-encompassing that our minds cannot comprehend it. The closest earthly parallel we have is a good marital relationship, and I think it is for that reason that the Church is compared to a bride.

Even if Jesus is somehow going to "marry" us, the better does not necessarily exclude the lesser. If the condition of marriage is allowed to persist in heaven (see 1st paragraph), it would do nothing to lessen or decrease our love or connection with Christ, but would just be another level of fellowship between believers.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul makes the point that the bodies we have now will be the same bodies we will have in heaven (though, of course, they will be perfected and transformed to become immortal and fulfill God's original design for the human body). From this and other passages, we know that heaven is not just going to be spiritual. It will also occupy the physical realm. And if I may be so bold as to pose a frank question, regarding the sexual aspect of marriage:

"If there is no marriage in heaven and yet our bodies will be partly physical in nature, then what will become of our sex organs, or our sex drive? Will they just 'be there' having no function, or will God just get rid of them, but for some reason keep all of our other organs and good instincts intact?"

We presume that the function of reproduction will not be present in heavenly bodies. However, sex does not only exist for reproduction (except for the Victorians, of course [;)]). It was also created by God for pleasure, emotional/physical release, and to develop intimacy between man and wife.

So why get rid of sex when it has so many uses which we know will already exist in heaven? Or will marriage end but somehow sex will still play a role? These are honest and heartfelt questions I have, and I'm not asking them to make a point. Just making an inquiry. Really, I think this topic is far more complicated than we think, a mystery that will only be fully disclosed when we actually arrive in heaven. I don't think this issue can be solved by quoting Jesus out of context and contriving conclusions from something He said.



MrFribbles -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/26/2008 9:31:34 PM)

quote:

Really, guys, I don't think this is an issue that cannot be solved by quoting Jesus out of context and contriving conclusions from something He said.


Well put.
I would say that, especially since Christ is speaking in a way that is correcting a misconception about the resurrection, I think deriving any rock-solid doctrines about martial possibilities in heaven would be erroneous.



DaveW -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/27/2008 10:46:53 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

Jesus specifically addressed this issue, as did Paul. Marriages end at the death of either spouse and are no recognized in heaven. That's good enough for me.
Ending at death - yes.

Not recognized in heaven - that is an extension of the text; one I am not sure any here are qualified to make.



DougHorton -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/27/2008 5:50:26 PM)

Guys, Jesus was clear on this subject. He is not being quoted out of context. This is the context He was referring to. The situation put before Him was that of a woman, not being given in marriage, but already married to seven brothers. His reply clearly said that the issue of whether she WAS married prior to death is irrelevant because there is no marriage in heaven.

If you can't deal with that, take it up with God.

But please feel free continue in your heresy if you wish.

Goodbye.



JimboFletch -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/27/2008 5:53:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DreadPirateRandy
quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

Marriages end at the death of either spouse and are no recognized in heaven.


We've established this. But that says nothing about the new earth. If it bears anything in resemblance to the Garden of Eden, where marriage was established, why wouldn't it also be in the new earth?

We aren't going to have a mortal body anything like this one. There is no need for mortal marriage, it would serve no purpose. We will the Bride of Christ and He will not share His Bride with another.



JimboFletch -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/27/2008 5:58:48 PM)

DPR, if "heaven" is your hang up, then read what Jesus said:

"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."

He said in the resurrection, nothing specific about heaven was mentioned. So, if you are resurrected and have a new body, you ain't gonna be married. And scripture already informs us that marriages end at the death of either. Therefore, you'd have to get married again for it to be recognized, but that ain't gonna happen.

This isn't rocket science.



MrFribbles -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/27/2008 7:48:08 PM)

quote:

But please feel free continue in your heresy if you wish.


Easy, friend. Heresy is a strong word. I don't think anyone is in danger of not going to heaven because they believe that marriage might occur there.

quote:

Guys, Jesus was clear on this subject. He is not being quoted out of context. This is the context He was referring to.


No, the context He was referring to was those who doubt the truth of the resurrection.
Tell me, do you believe everyone must sell all they have to receive eternal life?



Raptorman -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/28/2008 12:26:12 AM)

Wow, Doug and Jimbo. Thanks a bunch. Instead of dealing with my honest questions and arguments, you accuse me of heresy or being unable to see a "plain" interpretation. Frankly, I don't think anyone's going to hell over this question, and your interpretation simply does not make any sense to me (see above post). That's all I'm trying to say.

That actually is one of the things I wonder about, if marriage is allowed to continue (which I think is a possibility), what happens with people who got married multiple times. For all I know, if I wind up being right, they could be paired with a new ideal spouse, or the "best" spouse from their earthly life. It's speculation, though.

Jimbo, if you can provide specific verses that say marriage is terminated at death, I'll be happy to listen.



DaveW -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/28/2008 7:25:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

We aren't going to have a mortal body anything like this one. There is no need for mortal marriage, it would serve no purpose. We will the Bride of Christ and He will not share His Bride with another.
Are we not to have a physical body, resurerected and glorified, just like the body Jesus had after His resurrection?



JamesL5 -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/28/2008 7:57:08 AM)

Hey guys,

I have to agree with Doug Horton. I don't think there will be any marriages in heaven, period. Yes, we are one flesh with our wives here on earth but lets not forget that our flesh is temporary. So whatever we store up on earth will be all pass away and be completely void in heaven, including marriages. I realize this is tough but my wife and I talked about this and have accepted it. We understand that if by the grace of God we both make it heaven, we will no longer be married. Thanks.



JimboFletch -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/28/2008 8:48:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Raptorman
Jimbo, if you can provide specific verses that say marriage is terminated at death, I'll be happy to listen.

Here's one to consider:

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
-1 Corinthians 7:39



JimboFletch -> RE: Marriage in Heaven? (8/28/2008 8:51:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

We aren't going to have a mortal body anything like this one. There is no need for mortal marriage, it would serve no purpose. We will the Bride of Christ and He will not share His Bride with another.
Are we not to have a physical body, resurerected and glorified, just like the body Jesus had after His resurrection?

Your point? That if Jesus is gonna take a "Bride" that His "Bride" can also have spouses and do what, commit adultery? There seems to be a fly in that ointment.

I've yet to find a legitmate denomination, group, or church that teaches marriage in heaven except between the Lord and His Church.



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