Transcription
[Music] In the Gospel of Matthew, the Sadducees approached Jesus with this hypothetical situation involving a woman who had been married seven times, once each to seven brothers in an effort to fulfill Jewish law. Their story is absurd, I would say.
But what I find interesting about it is there is Jesus's response to their question of in the resurrection whose wife of the seven will she be? And Jesus responded, "You are mistaken not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God? For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven." This is Matthew 22:29-30.
What I find interesting about this is given how central marriage is to our earthly relationships. I mean, our whole society seems like it for the most part is structured around marriage, what does Jesus's response tell us about the nature of eternal life? And why do you think marriage won't exist the same way in heaven as it does here?
>> Well, it's difficult for us to talk about the life to come because we don't really know much about it. And it's hard for us to imagine an existence beyond ours that's even greater and more fulfilling and transcendent. Uh I feel like eternal life we're going to remember our past life but it's almost like waking up from a dream. Uh so and this is not what you're asking but this will maybe set the context. You know some people ask well in in eternity in heaven will we remember our sorrows? If we have lost loved ones, will we know that they're not with us? And then that wouldn't really be heaven. And I my answer is I think we'll know the things of our past life, but it will be like waking up from a dream into reality. So if I'm in a dream, I can be frightened, horrified, what have you. When I wake up from the dream, I'm not frightened. I might be able to remember that I was frightened, but I'm not currently experienced that emotion.
So, in other words, our present life seems so real to us, but in eternity, our I think our life is going to be like a shadow or a dream or an imitation. So, for us, if we're happily married, and I can say I'm happily married, been married as of this time 44 years, and I'm happy for every day. I feel like I'm very fortunate. I got the best end of the deal. I'm still shocked that I tricked her into marrying me. Uh so I'm very happy and pleased. But all I can say is in the life to come it will be so intense, so purposeful, so real, so much in the direct presence of God, so much uh knowing people and having relation with people that this life even as great as marriage is, it will seem like a pale imitation. It will not be needed because we will have transcendent relationships.
And the Bible does give us some indication of that in 1 Corinthians chap 13:12. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known. So if you're married and you have a good marriage, your your spouse probably knows you in some ways better than yourself. But even then there's a secret thought life uh and emotional life that even your spouse can't participate in. And you would not necessarily want them because sometimes you may may feel some I don't know maybe a resentment but you don't want your spouse to know that. You want to work through that. So if your spouse had direct access to your mind that would not be a good thing. Um, even though you're living a Christian life, you you still have to process your human feelings, emotions, thoughts. So, no one really knows you. But in heaven, uh, all human limitations will be gone and we'll know each other even as we're known. So, it seems like we'll be capable of relationships that are even greater than what we think of in marriage.
Um, another example is that it it's it's just kind of alluding to this in 1 John chapter 3, um, talking about what we will be like in the future and basically saying, we don't know what we're going to be like, but we have some indication. 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." So, we don't really know what we're going to be like, but the best example is Jesus Christ. So, we don't think of Jesus Christ as being married, but we think of him as a close relationship with every one of us. So somehow we won't need to have that one special relationship because every relationship will be special and unique.
Now um if you think about the purposes of marriage of course number one is procreation which that will not be required. Number two is that unique intense personal union that is so fulfilling and meaningful so complimentary that seems to help us fulfill the best in each other. And we're only able to do that we we have other meaningful relationships but marriage stands out as unique in that regard. Um, and part of that again is for creating an environment where children can be nurtured not just procreation but society. But again in heaven that purpose will not be necessary. But I think if we did have a happy and blessed marriage there can still be a unique relationship with that person because we'll know our connection. But we'll be able to have other types of relationship. It won't be first of all it won't be the same because much greater but also I think it has the opportunity for other types of complimentary relationships that are not subject to jealousy or rivalry. And I can't begin to imagine what they will be but I guess the answer would be uh we won't need marriage because the purposes of marriage will be over. But we'll have even greater opportunities than earthly marriage. And that would not exclude someone who was our special companion in this life. There could still be perhaps some type of relationship, but it will be of a different order. And there will be other relationships of different orders. And that's all I can say because I don't know what I'm talking about.
Uh, but now look at the flip side. Uh, there are many and I can speak from a pastoral perspective. There are many situations. Let's say you have uh a marriage and the person divorces you and leaves you for someone else. Um, let's say you remarry. Let's say that person repents of their sins, they remarry. Okay, who's going to who's going to have who? Let's say you're again the the example of the Sadducees is extreme, but there are many cases of a beloved spouse of many years dies. You're lonely. You remarry, you have another beloved relationship. Okay, which do you choose in eternity? Or here's another example. Someone is faithful in in a very difficult unhappy marriage, but they feel this is God's will and I'm going to endure the abuse or I'm going to endure the suffering or just a less than ideal. It's not really compatible, but because I'm committed to God's word, God's word teaches against divorce, I'm going to be faithful. So, my re will my reward of sticking to an unhappy, dysfunctional uh less than ideal marriage for and refusing to commit adultery, refusing to abandon my spouse. Maybe they're in church, but it's just a rough marriage. And so, I endure it for 40 years. So my reward is I get eternity with the same person.
>> It's a good way to look at it. So, so, so I think you could realize that there could be if you tried to maintain a marriage in heaven there, there'll become real complications and and could there be divorce, you know, after 10,000 years, go on to the next one, you know. So, all that goes far beyond, you know, those complications show that it's unworkable. So that's a good indication of marriage is for this life temporal. It doesn't fit the life to come. But what is going to fit the life to come? Things much better. I just can't describe them. So the bottom line is if you had a very unhappy marriage, but yet you try to be faithful, rest assured you you will have perfect wholeness in the life to come. If you had a very wonderful marriage and you wish it could continue, then all I can say is I believe God will allow you to treasure that special relationship, but that special relationship will be transcended with potentially infinite other relationships and experiences that will even be more fulfilling and greater than we can imagine.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century. If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to give us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. If you're watching on YouTube, make sure you subscribe to Dr. Bernard's channel, like this video, and leave a comment. We also encourage you to check out Dr. Bernard's books. Visit Pentecostalpublishing.com and search for David Bernard to access a full list of titles. Don't forget to enter DKB10 at checkout to save 10% on your order. We look forward to seeing you again next week as we explore how modern-day believers can live out the teachings of the first century church. [Music]