Marriage, Sex and Heaven

Marriage, sex and heaven

Since there is no marriage in heaven and we are ‘like the angels’, then the conclusion I draw is that sex is reserved for this earthly existence. It is a part of humanity, in all its richness and intended blessing.

Sex is sacred

One definition of sacred is the following,

“Holy, devoted to a religious ceremony, or simply worthy of awe and respect.” (Google search)

This clarifies the difference between cohabiting and marriage, in that the marriage ceremony is (meant to be) the religious ceremony (ie involving GOD) that gives entitlement to the sexual relationship between a couple. And sex is indeed worthy of awe and respect.

Sex is special, an elevated activity, not base

I think it would be reasonable to suppose that earthly life is inferior to heavenly existence, given that life on earth is a brief training ground for heaven. But does that mean every aspect on earth is necessarily inferior to what is in heaven? 

I don’t think so. GOD created a beautiful and perfect earth and set man in it. It’s not so much inferior as fallen. But what GOD created is good.

Consider marriage and sex

Look at the case of marriage and sex. It is a mystery to the angels.

The fact there is no marriage in heaven as stated by Jesus (and therefore the sexual relationship between a man and a woman doesn’t exist in heaven) doesn’t mean sex is inferior but rather, by it’s inclusion in life on earth, it raises the value of earthy life, giving it a unique aspect that isn’t even available in or a part of our heavenly existence.

“Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12:24-25)

Attack on sex

But sex has lost the awe and respect of the general public — certainly in Western culture, especially over the last 60 years.

According to Western societal norms, sex is no longer reserved for marriage. Yes, historically, people had sex out of wedlock but not as a general rule but rather, as the exception — or among the elites. However now, in Western society at least, the exclusivity of sex in marriage has been discarded in the name of personal freedom, women’s liberation and the general decline of traditional values in society.

And therefore, is it any wonder sex is abused, attacked, and debased by the Enemy?

Sex in the media

Sex, which was once reserved as a private intimacy is no longer private. The mystery is gone. There seems to be no shame and no discretion.

Billboards, movies, sex shops: these and much more have removed the discretion of sex — which was a way of demonstrating respect and awe for it — and have been, for decades, plastered all over the media.

Now in some Western nations, even beastiality is legitimised in the eyes of the law. Nothing seems sacred any more in marriage.

And yet humanity is missing out

But if you look to the Eastern part of the world, in the areas where traditional marriage is still aimed for, there is a stability and morality that we in the West seem to have lost.

Here, many chant “freedom” when the topic of sex is the focus. 

But where there is freedom without responsibility, inevitably, there is pain. We see this in broken relationships, broken families, broken hearts. 

Endorsement of abortion has brought with it a rescue from shame perhaps, but there is also a rise in despair and anguish. It is a hard heart indeed that can experience the loss of a fetus without an accompanying sense of remorse and loss.

Eastern v Western morality

One key reason for marriage is to hold families together and give security to children. The family is the building block of our society. As marriage breaks down, so too does society. And we do see this in the West.

In the East, the family across the vast continent of Asia, still appears to be intact. I have been to Myanmar (formerly named Burma) and while economic and industrial progress may seem slow, so too some of the the negatives associated with modern life, such as family breakdown, haven’t yet taken hold. The family unit in many Eastern societies has remained intact and it is any coincidence then, that society is more stable, children more content?

I reckon, in the name of modern progress, we have simply gone too far! We in the 21st century, are living proof that a society unrestrained will lead to its decay.

Sex itself is beautiful

Although many societies have abused sex, it doesn’t mean that sex is bad. It just demonstrates how we, on earth, can destroy something beautiful when we ignore the constructs around which it has been given to us. Unleashed! may have seemed to be a good idea to many in the 1960’s, but frankly, it seems clear now, that  humanity couldn’t handle this gift of sex without some sort of moral, cultural or physiological boundary. We see the consequence of this played out today.

The human soul needs a balance between freedom and responsibility that walking with Jesus gives us. He sets us free from rules and regulations, but also gives us a compass through His Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us, protecting us from that which would destroy us.

Just as in the Garden of Eden, something which ‘looked good’, without boundaries, has led to our “death”.

Angels marvel

When a relationship is build on Godly foundations, the angels marvel. The love between a man and a woman may astound them. 

Perhaps sex and marriage aren’t in heaven because there are other marvels there in its place. 

I hope and pray our world can get back to right principles and relationships so that more people can lead beautiful lives in true freedom on earth, instead of the self destructive copy that the Enemy tempts us towards.